BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Vaughan Talbert

    President of the Board

    School counselor at Richards High School (District 218)

  • Samuel Annan

    Treasurer

    Actuarial executive in the property and casualty insurance industry who loves to teach

  • Joanna Zumhagen

    Secretary of the Board

    Non-Profit Development and Administration

  • Daniel Stidham

    Executive Director, Board Member and Forward Mentor (2026 Men’s Cohort)

    Pastor of Calvary Church Oak Lawn and Owner of Grove Coffee

  • Lisa Sargent-Davis

    Board Member

    Regional Director at SGA Youth and Family Services and all around mentoring expert

  • Melissa Ferruzza

    Board Member and Forward Mentor (2026 Women’s Cohort)

    Recreation Supervisor at the Oak Lawn Park District

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  • Michael Jacobson

    Past President and Supporter of Forward

    Executive Director of Student, Family, & Community Engagement for High School District 218

  • Jason Hawkins

    Advisory Committee and Forward Mentor (2026 Men’s Cohort)

    Head Basketball Coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph and Board Member of Guitars over Guns - Chicago

  • Curt Bowers

    Advisory Committee

    Non-profit banker at Wintrust and proud husband and father

  • Nate Rael

    Advisory Committee

    High School Counselor at St. Lawrence High School and Track and Field Coach

OUR MENTORS

  • Daniel Stidham

    Forward Mentor (2026 Men’s Cohort)

    Pastor of Calvary Church Oak Lawn and budding coffee shop entrepreneur of Grove Coffee

  • Jason Hawkins

    Forward Mentor (2026 Men’s Cohort)

    Head Basketball Coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph

  • Melissa Ferruzza

    Forward Mentor (2026 Women’s Cohort)

    Recreation Supervisor at the Oak Lawn Park District

  • Andrea Zumhagen

    Forward Mentor (2026 Women’s Cohort)

    Executive Director of Acorn to Oaks Arts Program

  • Matt Meyrick

    Forward Mentor (2029 Men’s Cohort)

    Graduate Student and Youth Director at Calvary Church of Oak Lawn

  • Rob Reichardt

    Forward Mentor (2029 Men’s Cohort)

    Navy Veteran and Owner of JDog Junk Removal and Hauling