Board of Directors
|
Board Co-Chair
Timothy Matovina Timothy is Professor and Chairperson of the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame. His most recent books are Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis and Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title.” His books in Spanish include Ministerio Hispano: Una introducción and María en la fe católica. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States. |
|
Board Co-Chair
Beth Knobbe Beth Knobbe serves as a relationship manager with Catholic Relief Services, working with dioceses and universities to engage Catholics in living their faith in solidarity with the poor around the world. Prior to CRS, Beth served as a campus minister at the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University where she coordinated spirituality programs and international service-immersion trips. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and she has a Bachelor of Science degree from Briar Cliff University. Beth has traveled extensively and also shares her time writing and speaking about the spiritual life. She is the author of Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose, and Passion (2011) and Finding My Voice: A Young Woman’s Perspective (2009). |
|
Board Treasurer
Mike Mesterharm Mike currently works in business development. He has held positions in fundraising and operations at a variety of Catholic institutions throughout Chicago including the Archdiocese of Chicago, Saint Ignatius College Prep, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. He’s pursuing a doctorate in educational policy from Loyola University Chicago and holds graduate degrees in business and education from the University of Notre Dame where he also completed his undergraduate work. He and his wife live in Pilsen and are members of Old Saint Patrick’s Church in the West Loop, where they assist with the church’s “Foundations” youth ministry program. |
|
Luis Montgomery
Experienced Owner with a demonstrated history of working in civil engineering and environmental services. Skilled in Construction, Transportation Engineering, Airport, Rail, Highways, Drainage, and Road. Strong entrepreneurship professional and Executive Program from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. |
|
Jack Crowe
Jack is the former Executive Director of Year-Up Chicago, a one-year intensive training program connecting Opportunity Youth to professional careers. Prior to that, he was the COO of Cristo Rey Network, the largest network of high schools in the U.S., which includes a corporate work study internship. Before that, he was a longtime partner at the law firm Winston & Strawn |
|
Anthony Suárez-Abraham
Anthony Suárez-Abraham is a Cuban-American from Miami, Florida. He is a member of the theology faculty at Dominican University where his research and courses focus on the Latin@ experience. Anthony is the former Director of the Office for Peace and Justice of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He serves on numerous local, national, and international boards. His most recent award comes from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood for his efforts on behalf of social justice and for being a faithful advocate of clemency toward juvenile offenders. |
|
Vicente Del Real
Vicente is the founder of Iskali. He is currently a student at Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative within the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Business as part of LBAN. He is an adjunct faculty at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago and other universities. Vicente was recognized as part of 2020’s class of 40 under 40, by name by Negocios Now, a national award-winning Hispanic business publication, that recognizes 40 leaders and entrepreneurs in the Hispanic community under the age of 40 in Chicagoland. He earned Master's Degree in Pastoral Arts from Catholic Theological Union. |
|
Dolores Muñoz
Dolores Muñoz is a Senior Relationship Manager at Cabrera Capital Markets LLC where she is responsible for client business development and pension plan outreach. Ms. Muñoz has over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, first joining Cabrera Capital Markets in 2003. Prior to her current position, Ms. Muñoz oversaw Cabrera’s global equity trading and fixed income operations where she successfully integrated the firm’s trading platforms via new investment product offerings and trading lines of business. Ms. Muñoz professional securities licenses include Series 7 General Securities Representative and Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law Registered Agent. |
|
Rick Moreno
Rick Moreno Vitality coordinator for vicariate IV of the Archdiocese of Chicago. |
|
Zuly Gomez
A proud graduate of IIT, Masters of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Mangement ('14) and a B.S. in Architectural Engineering ('14), and a minor in Architecture & Psychology. While a student at Armour College of Engineering, she was an IIT Leadership Academy Scholar, Kern Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy (KIEA) Scholar and the recipient of the Martin Cooper Endowed Scholarship. She was also an active member of SHPE, LIFE|HACE, on the Executive Board of the NSLS IIT Chapter, and played for the IIT tennis team ('08-'09) and IIT Women's Hawk Basketball team ('13-14). Zuly is also part of the founding team, and Executive Vice President of Customer Experience & Business Development at myowndoctor, where she drives business development, sales, customer implementations and experience, and product marketing strategies that aim to innovate on the way care is delivered to improve health. She brings a multitude of experiences and perspectives. During her free time, she volunteers at Gilda's Club and speak at High Schools about the importance of STEAM education. |
|
Giselle Campos
Giselle serves as a math and science teacher at Reavis High School in Burbank, IL. She received her degree in Physics with a Minor in Secondary Education and Mathematics from Benedictine University in 2021. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Trauma and Resilience from Concordia University Chicago. Through her experiences in education, Giselle has been blessed to touch the lives of many students who belong to the Latino community. She was recently selected to join the 2023 Teaching Fellows Cohort for the Knowles Teacher Initiative, a national network that seeks to support math and science educators in order to transform the educational experience for all students in the United States. Giselle has been with Iskali since 2019 and has served as a parish leader for many years prior. She is committed to sharing Christ’s love with those around her and working to provide opportunities for all young people to fulfill their potential. |
|
Edgar de la Cerda
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Edgar has lived in suburban Chicago since he was 3 years old. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, and now works in nuclear operations for Exelon Generation. Edgar has been involved with Iskali and his local parish ever since a retreat in 2016. His roles in Iskali have included community guide and coordinator at Sacred Heart. At Sacred Heart and St Eulalia Parish he is a member of the parish council and the Hispanic Committee. He is now a part of Iskali's consecrated community, with the role of Vice Director. |
|
Karina Gonzalez
Karina currently serves as a 5th grade Dual Language Teacher in Berwyn, IL. She received her Bachelor’s in Urban Education with an endorsement in Social Science and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a Dual Language teacher, Karina has been able to support students who are newly arrived in the country and are learning to navigate a new language and culture. Karina has been with Iskali since 2017 and has served as a parish leader at Our Lady of the Mount for many years prior. Her roles in Iskali have included community guide and coordinator at Our Lady of the Mount. She is now a part of Iskali's consecrated community, with the role of Community Assessor. Karina is committed to sharing God’s love and working with young people to be the salt and light of the world. |
|
EPISCOPAL MODERATORMost Rev. Bishop Kevin M. Birmingham, Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate IV in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
|