Staff

MEGHAN COLGAN
Vice President of Programs
Meghan leads the program team in staff management, partnership school selection, family selection, Summer Academic Program implementation, strategic initiatives, and program development and evaluation. She initially worked at Horizons for Youth from 2006-2010, spent some time working at nonprofits in the California Bay Area, and then returned to the Horizons for Youth team in 2014. Meghan has her BA from University of Notre Dame and MA from DePaul University.
meghan@horizons-for-youth.org

JOSE A. CONTRERAS 

High School Program Manager
José leads the High School Program to ensure our students succeed and self-advocate for themselves in their four years of high school. He also plans high school enrichment outings. In his free time, José is an author and podcast host on the issues of self-development, identity, and advocacy. José earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and his Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership (Adult and Continuing Education Leadership) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
jose@horizons-for-youth.org

NICK DIMASO
Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager
Nick serves as the Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager at Horizons for Youth, where he writes grants and coordinates with corporations and foundations looking to give back and volunteer. Previously, Nick served as Horizons for Youth’s Volunteer Manager, recruiting and training volunteer Big Siblings and tutors. In his free time, Nick is a proud volunteer for Camp Kesem and an inaugural Chicago Peer Advisor to the Obama Foundation. Nick graduated from Northwestern University with BAs in Psychology and Radio/Television/Film and a certificate in Creative Writing for the Media.
nick@horizons-for-youth.org

JESSICA DOUGLAS
Development Coordinator
Jessica serves as our Development Coordinator. She supports the development team in planning fundraising events as well as monthly enrichment outings at both the elementary and high school levels. She also assists with generating creative marketing content on Horizon’s platforms. Prior to joining the team, Jessica served two years through the Jesuit Volunteer Program in Christ the King Jesuit College Prep’s Development and Communication team. There, she assisted with event planning, graphic design projects, and fostering relationships with students with being a moderator for after school clubs. Jessica holds a B.A in Communication from Loras College.
jessicadouglas@horizons-for-youth.org

AUDREY GEORGE
Chief Executive Officer
Audrey has led Horizons for Youth since 1999, overseeing growth from 42 students to 265, and staff from 2 to 17. Before Horizons for Youth, Audrey held positions at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Blessed Sacrament Youth Center in North Lawndale. She has presented at the National Partnership for Educational Access’ annual conference, the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, the UChicago Booth School of Business, and the University of Notre Dame. Audrey holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.
audrey@horizons-for-youth.org

MIRIAM GLENN
Program Manager
Miriam is a Program Manager at Horizons for Youth, where she manages a group of 60+ students during monthly enrichment outings and supports their families at school meetings. Prior to joining Horizons for Youth, Miriam worked as a paraprofessional at CICS Bucktown, then served as the Special Ed Assistant at Kozminski Elementary School. Miriam has a B.A in Fashion Business from Columbia College Chicago.
miriam@horizons-for-youth.org

MARIA GUZMAN
Program Manager
As a Program Manager, Maria works with over 40 students and their families and manages the Horizons for Youth counseling program. Maria is no stranger to Horizons for Youth, having been involved herself as a program parent since 2005. After moving to the United States from Mexico at age 15, Maria held several positions, most recently at Casa Central in Humboldt Park and at Head Start. Maria has her Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work and Education from St. Augustine College.
maria@horizons-for-youth.org

JOCELYN HERNANDEZ
Program Manager
Jocelyn Hernandez is a Program Manager with Horizons for Youth, where she works closely with students and families. Previously, Jocelyn volunteered for AmeriCorps as a Scholar Coach with the Schuler Scholar Program at RTC Medical Preparatory School in Chicago. She also has experience implementing and overseeing social and emotional support programs for high school students. Jocelyn holds a B.A from Denison University in Communications and Spanish.
jocelyn@horizons-for-youth.org

RASHAUNDA LANIER-JACKSON
Program Manager
Rashaunda Lanier-Jackson is a Program Manager with Horizons for Youth. She works with students and families from a variety of schools around Chicago, with a special focus on St. Catherine-St. Lucy School in Oak Park. Before coming to Horizons, Rashaunda taught middle school English and worked at the district level for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Policy Administration from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
rashaunda@horizons-for-youth.org

STEPHENIE LAZARUS
Development Director
Stephenie oversees Horizons for Youth’s development team, including student sponsorships, marketing, events, and grants. Prior to joining Horizons for Youth, Stephenie served as the Development Director at Providence Englewood Charter School and the Development Manager at LIFT-Chicago. Stephenie holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.
stephenie@horizons-for-youth.org

SEAN M. MACCREADY, CFRE
Vice President, External Relations
As Vice President of External Relations, Sean leads the development team in their fundraising efforts, including marketing, events, communications, and individual giving. Prior to Horizons for Youth, Sean worked at the Archdiocese of Chicago, the University of Notre Dame, St. Ignatius College Prep, and St. Agnes of Bohemia School, leading fundraising teams and as a major gifts fundraiser. In his free time, Sean is the host and producer of The Philanthropy Podcast, a podcast that explores best practices in fundraising. Sean has a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and M.A.s in education from Loyola University-Chicago and the University of Notre Dame.
sean@horizons-for-youth.org

ADRIANA MARTINEZ
Development Coordinator
Adriana is responsible for managing the Horizons for Youth databases, providing support for fundraising events and monthly enrichment outings, and assisting with the creation of communication pieces. Prior to joining the team, Adriana interned for Horizons for Youth during her summer breaks from college and over the past year, working closely with the program and development teams. She is a Horizons for Youth alumna and is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the Horizons for Youth community. Adriana holds a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
adriana@horizons-for-youth.org

LUPE RUIZ
Finance & HR Manager
As Finance and Operations Manager, Lupe is responsible for processing donations, managing databases, handling accounts payable/receivable, and generating acknowledgement letters. Prior to joining Horizons for Youth, Lupe served for seven years as an Assistant Manager at The Children’s Place, managing payroll and scheduling for her team. Lupe is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep High School and holds a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University.
lupe@horizons-for-youth.org

JACQUELINE SALGADO
Office Manager
Jacqueline serves as the Office Manager for Horizons for Youth. She will help keep our office running smoothly by being the point of contact for all who phone and visit the office while also managing many important activities for the Finance & HR Manager and the Development Coordinator. Jacqueline has worked with UBS Financial Services for over 2 years and began working with Horizons for Youth since her freshman year at DePaul University as our office intern. She is a management major with a concentration in Operations Management and will be graduating in June 2019.
jackie@horizons-for-youth.org

JANE SIMONTON
Strategy & Development Manager
Jane works with both the Development & Program Teams to strategize best practices for increased effectiveness. Additionally, she oversees the implementation of the two major fundraising galas, manages special projects, and serves as staff liaison to both the Young Professionals Board and the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Horizons for Youth, she worked directly with students, developed curriculum, and managed events at both the Schuler Scholar Program and the Beyond Sports Foundation. She holds a B.A. in International Development from Kenyon College.
jane@horizons-for-youth.org

BARRY J. SULLIVAN
Vice President, Finance & Operations
Barry oversees financial processes and facilities management at Horizons for Youth. He and his family became involved with the organization when his son Declan died while working as a videographer for the University of Notre Dame football team. To honor Declan’s legacy, Barry’s family established a memorial fund and now host an annual gala, both of which benefit Horizons for Youth. Barry served on the Horizons for Youth Board of Directors before joining the staff full time in 2015. Barry earned BS and MS degrees from Marquette University, and a Ph.D. from Princeton University, all in electrical engineering.
barry@horizons-for-youth.org