Our Board

TLP’s board of directors provides agency oversight and leads fundraising activities, including the annual “Dream a Bigger Dream” gala. The board has four standing committees, executive, finance, development, and programs. Beyond these committees, board members also lead various strategic initiatives identified each year.

Chair: Gerald L. Pauling, II

Gerald joined the board in 2001 and was elected to the chairmanship in 2005. Prior to his current post, he served as the board’s secretary, and as co-chair of the Gala. He is a partner at the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, and was recently selected as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers in Illinois” by Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Boardroom Bound, Jackson Park Hospital Foundation, and Christ Temple Baptist Church.

Vice-Chair: Bruce Pedigo

Bruce joined the board in 1995. In addition to serving as the vice-chair of the board, he is also on the Chairman’s Annual Golf Outing committee. Bruce has also chaired the annual Gala. He is the managing director of Veratect. Bruce is a member of the Iowa State Alumni Association and ACORD.

Secretary: Brenna Berman

Brenna joined Teen Living Programs in 2000, serving as the chair of the TLP Associates. In 2006, she was elected to the board of directors. She has been active on the Gala committee, and currently oversees the programs committee of the board and is the board lead for Proof Positive Initiative, the agency’s program to drive strategic planning through client outcome tracking. Brenna works for IBM as a Global Solutions Manager.

Treasurer: Michelle Zahler

Michelle joined the board in 2004, and served as the chair of the program committee and member of the finance committee prior to becoming treasurer in 2005. Michelle is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is a member of the American Institution of CPAs, the Illinois Society of CPAs, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and St. Mary’s Church Riverside.

Director: Stephen Braun

Stephen joined the board in 2010. He is a senior partner and President of Hometown Homes and Financial Services. Stephen is also a member of the National Association of Homebuilders and the Manufactured Housing Industry Association and was a volunteer “operational consultant” with St. Elmo’s Village in Los Angeles.

Director: Billy Dexter

Billy joined the board in 2005, and serves as the chair of the Chairman’s Annual Golf Outing committee and as the board lead for Project Youth Works, a transitional jobs program for youth. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, National Sales Network, and board member of Diversity Best Practices. Billy is a partner at Heidrick & Struggles.

Director: Anne Duprey

Anne joined the board in 2010. She is the Associate General Counsel of the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Office of Legal Affairs. She is also a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Overture Council, a tutor with the Chicago Lights Tutoring Program, and an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University School of Law.

Director: Cheryl A. Harris

Cheryl joined the board in 2008, and serves as the chair of the annual giving committee. She is a senior partner at Accenture and is the Americas Delivery Lead for BPO Procurement Services. In addition to her role in developing and executing procurement strategy, she is an executive sponsor for Accenture’s African-American Interest Group.

Director: Keith Herbert

Keith joined the board in 2010. He is the Vice President of Operations for Old Navy. He also sits on the Steering Committee for Gap GEAR, a Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender and Friends support organization for the company.

Director: Lashana Jackson

Lashana joined the board in 2010. She is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Aon Corporation. She has also served on the UCAN Diversity Advisory Board and participated in the Junior Achievement Tutoring Program and the Aon Mentorship Program.

Director: Richard A. Kuzmar

Rich joined the board in 2001, and serves on the finance and annual giving committees. In the past he has served in various leadership roles, including chair. Rich is a member of Financial Executives Institute and the Illinois CPA Society. He is the chief financial officer at Greeley and Hansen.

Director: Marc Mannes

Marc joined the board in 2010. He is the Senior Associate and Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton, Chicago. In this role, Marc oversees contracts for the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Director: Paul McHugh

Paul joined the board in 2000. He serves on the marketing and communications committee and oversees the capital project team. He is a director of Security State Bank and a member of Unity in Chicago Church. Paul is sole proprietor of McHugh Development, a real estate development firm.

Director: Jim Plunkard

Jim joined the board in 2008, and is the chair of the marketing and communications committee. He is a partner at Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the firm that helped provide pro-bono architectural and design services for TLP’s new Belfort House residence.

Director: Mary Lou Mulvihill Skalkos

Mary Lou joined the board in 2008, and serves as the chair of the development and fundraising committee as well as the co-chair of the Dream a Bigger Dream Gala. She is a member of the Community Nursing Service and Glenbard West Boosters, and is actively involved with her alma mater, Notre Dame. Mary Lou is the president of Profile Flooring.

Director: Brian Spears

Brian joined the board in 2010. He is the Sales Director at Humanscale, a top manufacturer of ergonomic office tools. Brian is also a member of the Texas Christian University Alumni Association and was active on the planning committee for TLP’s Give ‘Em Shelter fundraising event in April 2010.

Director: Dolores Thibodeaux

Dolores has been a board member since 2005. She serves on the finance and annual giving committees and is active in government relations for the agency. She is a member of the Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church and Spoonful of Hope. Dolores is CEO of AllPoints Security.