Board of Directors
 

Robert Fitzsimmons
Board Member: Wedbush Securities, Inc

Robert “Bob” Fitzsimmons is an Executive Vice President at Wedbush Securities with oversight of futures, securities lending, and the fixed income groups. Bob joined Wedbush Securities in 2016 as its Managing Director and Head of Wedbush Futures, where he oversaw the business within the Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”), with a focus on developing and defining the strategic direction for the Futures and Treasury Division. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, with extensive experience in the fixed income, futures, equities and technology space. He also held CEO tenures with several other financial services organizations including ITG Derivatives and NQLX. Bob graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in economics and also earned his MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.

Mark J. Hennessy
Board Chair: IBM, Retired

Mark Hennessy recently retired as an IBM vice president responsible for all aspects of IBM's North American business in the Retail, Consumer Products and Travel and Transportation industries. He was previously a general manager of IBM Global Business Partners, as well as Vice president and chief information officer for IBM.  Through his career, Mr. Hennessy has held a diverse series of general management positions with responsibility for North America, Asia and global business units.  A graduate of Boston College, Mark earned a BA in economics in 1980. In 1990, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Mark and his wife Tracey live in Westport, CT with their two children. 

Jeffrey B. Kilpatrick
Board Member: Independent Healthcare Consultant

Jeff Kilpatrick is currently an independent healthcare consultant. He was most recently Managing Director of Kaufman Hall & Associates. He has more than 20 years of experience as a hospital executive and advisor to healthcare leaders nationwide. He counsels organizations on strategic planning for healthcare’s future, including identifying capabilities needed for future success, and evaluating and implementing strategic options for filling capability gaps. Prior to Kaufman Hall, Mr. Kilpatrick was Vice President of Clinical Programs for Loyola University Medical Center, responsible for long-term planning and operations of eight service lines. He previously served as Vice President of Strategy and Planning at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and as a planning executive at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Jeff holds an M.B.A. and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Currently, Mr. Kilpatrick serves as a facilities consultant aiding Covenant House Illinois’ logistics on the impending move to our new facility.

Sheila McNulty
Board Member: Chicago Attorney

Sheila McNulty was appointed as a deputy chief immigration judge (acting) in January 2020. Judge McNulty received a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 from Miami University of Ohio and a Juris Doctor in 1991 from New England School of Law. From November 2010 to November of 2015, she served as an immigration judge at the Chicago Immigration Court. From 2000 to 2010, Judge McNulty served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago. From 1991 to 2000, she served as a trial attorney for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, entering on duty through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. From 1985 until 1991, Judge McNulty worked as a community activist and organizer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Judge McNulty is a member of the Illinois Bar.

Greg Pusinelli
Board Member: William Blair Investment

Greg Pusinelli is the founder of the William Blair Investment Counseling business serving high-net-worth individuals and families at the firm, which is now integrated into Private Wealth Management. He also co-managed the Tax-Efficient Growth team. Before joining William Blair, Greg was with Stein Roe & Farnham for nine years, where he was a senior vice president and principal responsible for managing client portfolios and a team of portfolio managers. Greg also co-managed the Investment Counseling core portfolio there. From 1983 to 1986, Greg was with First National Bank of Chicago, where he became a vice president. His first industry experience was with Harris Trust and Savings Bank. Greg is currently co-chairman of Providence-St. Mel School’s board of trustees. He served as chairman of the board from 1985 to 1993.

Nancy Kearney
Board Member: Kearney Consulting LLC

Nancy Kearney is currently the Founder/Owner of Kearney Consulting LLC. She previously served as the Vice President – operational Risk at Allstate insurance. She is an accomplished financial services professional specialized in risk management and agenting change to mitigate and remediate risk. Ms. Kearney has held risk leadership positions with Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, RBS and UBS where she focused on Enterprise Risk Management frameworks and governance (2 LOD) as well as Operational Risk and Control (1 LOD) within business lines and functions. Previously she consulted on strategy at Atmosclear Climate Club and OTP Bank, Hungary. She holds an MBA in Finance and International Management from New York University and a BBA in Management Information Systems from Pace University. Ms. Kearney is a member of The Covenant House Illinois Search Committee, charged with fielding candidates for the organization’s recently filled executive director position.

Mark Santacrose
Board Member: Tecta America Corp.

Mark Santacrose is Executive Chairman at Tecta America Corp. and President & Chief Executive Officer for Tecta America Illinois Roofing LLC (a subsidiary of Tecta America Corp.). In his past career he held the positoin of President & Chief Executive Officer at Entrade, Inc. and President at Bagcrat Corp. of America. Mark Santacrose received an undergraduate degree from Marquette Univerity, an MBA from Northwestern Univeristy and a graduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago.     

Asha Varghese
Board Member: Caterpillar Foundation

Asha Varghese is the president of the Caterpillar Foundation. She brings more than 15 years of industry experience, most recently leading General Electric’s (GE) Foundation as director of global portfolio. In that role, she set the global strategy for the GE Foundation with an emphasis on improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities in the developing world. Ms. Varghese also led the U.S. healthcare portfolio for the GE Foundation and held positions in information systems, Six Sigma, and strategic planning for business processes in the company. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma black belt. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and computer science from the University of Louisville. She is also a graduate of the 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar program. Ms. Varghese is a member of The Covenant House Illinois Search Committee, charged with fielding candidates for the organization’s recently filled executive director position.