Our Team
Who is CFNIL?
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is a public charity led by a team of professional staff, with strategic, financial, and operational oversight from a volunteer Board of Trustees.
Experienced, professional, and committed to philanthropic service.
As the regional leader of philanthropy, the Community Foundation serves as a promoter and advisor on charitable giving, a resource to the nonprofit sector, and an excellent steward of the community’s resources. Together, the staff of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois brings more than 75 years of experience in the community foundation field.
![Kate Black, Program and Development Associate, headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/kate%20square.png)
![Heather Cunningham, Program Coordinator and IYWT Liaison, headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/heather%20square_2.png)
Program Coordinator and IYWT Liaison
Phone: 779-210-8209
Email: Heather Cunningham
![Lisa DeLang, CFNIL Program and Administrative Associate](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Lisa%20square%20-%20new.png)
![Shannon Gustafson, Director of Finance, headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Shannon%20Gustafson%20square.png)
![Isabella Ibarra - Finance Associate - Headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Isabella%20-%20square%20-%20new.png)
![Sarah Lambert, CFNIL Vice President of Programs and Community Investment](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Sarah%20square%20-%20new.png)
Vice President of Programs and Community Investment
Phone: 779-210-8207
Email: Sarah Lambert
![James Patterson - Senior Program Director - headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/James%20-%20Square%20-%20new.png)
![Dan Ross - President - headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Dan%20-%20square%20-%20new.png)
![Jennifer Smith - Engagement Director - headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Jen%20-%20square%20-%20new.png)
![Ciara Stahly - Assistant Development Director - headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Ciara%20-%20square%20-%20new.png)
![Beazus Lambert - photo](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Board%20Headshots%20-%20Square%20%281%29.png)
Territory Management & Entertainment Associate
Leading our Community, leading our Community Foundation
The members of the CFNIL Board of Trustees represent communities across the foundation's service area, numerous professional backgrounds, and have a variety of community engagement and volunteer experience. Every trustee volunteered as a CFNIL scholarship or grant advisor before becoming a member of the Board of Trustees.
![Steve Schmeling headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/1.png)
Schmeling Construction Co.
![Karen Schiller headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/8_0.png)
Winnebago County CASA
![Dayton Smith III headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/6.png)
DBS Accounting
![Dan Ross President and Board Secretary headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/dan%20square.png)
![Ed Clift headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Ed%20Clift_0.png)
Remax Professional Advantage
![Joe Cruz Headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Joe%20Cruz.png)
PCI Pharma Services
![Jim Derry headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/11_0.png)
Field Fastener
![Derek Dreier headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Dreier_0.png)
SPX Flow Inc.
![Mike Gann headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/13_0.png)
Retired - MPEC
![Sherry Gaumond headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/14_0.png)
Larson & Darby Group
![Bryan Heidemann headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/10_0.png)
CoyleKiley Insurance Agency
![Annie Hobson headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/4_0.png)
Active Minds
![Beth Howard headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/7_0.png)
Friends of the Coronado / Rockford Coronado Concert Association
![John Kehoe headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/John%20Kehoe_0.png)
Retired – Mercyhealth
![Becky Kendall headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/2_0.png)
Retired - Rockford Health Council
![Kathy Kwiat-Hess headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/5_0.png)
Retired – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
![T.J. Leake headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/T.J.%20Leake.png)
AGHL Law
![Dino Pandya headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Board%20Headshots%20-%20Square_0.png)
Retired - Doctor of Podiatry
![Beth Thacker headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/3_0.png)
Northwestern Mutual
![Dick Leighton - truste emeritus - headshot](/sites/default/files/staff-images/Screenshot%202023-06-20%20141527_0.png)
Trustee Emeritus
CFNIL is not hiring at this time.
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and sign up for our e-newsletter to receive the latest information on future job openings.
We encourage you to visit other local job boards to look for other job opportunities in northern Illinois:
Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) Job Board
Rockford Chamber of Commerce Job Bank
The Workforce Connection Job Board
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is an equal-opportunity employer.