Betsy Uzzell
Betsy brings a wealth of experience related to the disability field, including service with the Boy Scouts of America and Evanston’s Sunrise Lions Club. She has mild cerebral palsy and her husband James is partially sighted. She has given talks on many aspects of disability over the years, and she has been a mentor through Independent Futures’ Bridge Builder program for several years. Betsy is a former member of the Church Council of the Evanston Vineyard Christian Church, a former Advisory Board member for the National Lekotek Center, and a former member of the Advisory Board for Joni & Friends Chicago. Betsy is a retired actuary.
Bonnie Dohogne
Bonnie has been involved with Center for Independent Futures since its inception. Her son, Jonathon, who is on the autism spectrum, lives in an Evanston apartment. He is engaged in the community, learning and living a full life with support from Center for Independent Futures. Bonnie started a pro-inclusion parent advocacy group during Jonathon’s school years and later served on the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. She has worked as a counselor for juvenile delinquents, a college internship coordinator and most recently as a parent educator at the Childcare Network of Evanston. She has taught classes locally on healthy cooking and enjoys tennis.
Chad Beckman
Chad is an IT Manager with RedShelf, Inc, in Chicago. He has worked in the IT Administrative field at a variety of start-up companies. His professional focus is on implementing advanced technology solutions, and achieving efficient results, while ensuring that everyone is able to keep working without issue. He looks forward to assisting the Center for Independent Futures in its mission.
Ira Mitchell, Secretary
Ira offers the Board his perspective on the challenges those with disabilities face living and working in the community. He came to Evanston to attend the Professional Assistance Center for Education (P.A.C.E. Program) at National Louis University and has served on the Board of Directors of Natural Ties, another Evanston-based nonprofit. Ira is the Site Manager for Ricoh USA.
John Brownlee
John Brownlee is a real estate investor and developer focused on the restoration and revitalization of city neighborhoods to create more supportive environments for residents. It is this focus that attracted John to the work of CIF. He retired from The Coca-Cola Company after a 25 year career as a sales executive. Locally, John has established Black SonRISE, a nonprofit organization that addresses the academic achievement gap between young Black students and their counterparts. John earned an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and law degree from The University of Virginia. He lives in Evanston with his wife and two sons.
John Engel, Treasurer
John Engel is a CPA and was a Managing Partner at Accenture until his retirement in December 2015. At Accenture, John initiated and led some of the highest profile and value-creating client engagements in the company’s history. John has also led a range of business units and has a strong reputation for creating breakthrough strategies and transformational programs while managing to rigorous execution. A globally recognized leader in strategy formulation and execution, John employs his skills with high impact in several commercial and not for profit board settings. John and his wife, Ellen, live in Evanston.
Kirsten Curley Keppler
Kirsten became involved with Center for Independent Futures after learning about a family member’s experience navigating services for a child with cerebral palsy. She is an award-winning corporate communications professional with a background that includes leading communications and public affairs for both not-for-profits and global corporations. Kirsten earned her degree from DePaul University and has volunteered at many organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors at Voice of the People, a low-income housing organization; as a Zoning Board of Appeals Commissioner for the Village of Skokie; and as a foster volunteer at the Evanston Animal Shelter.
Linda Hauser
Linda has been involved with Center for Independent Futures since its inception, joining while seeking services for her daughter. Now retired, Linda worked with Aon Hewitt for 30 years, specializing in assisting organizations with implementing employee communication programs related to human resources. Linda also serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Companies That Care and is a member of the Impact 100 Chicago.
Richard Malone, Executive Director
Richard “Dick” Malone most recently served as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Prior to that, Dick was a senior executive at Tribune Publishing and the Chicago Tribune. A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, he also holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University. As a parent of an adult with disabilities, Dick is highly motivated and invested in Center for Independent Futures’ mission.
Valentina Tasende
Valentina is currently an Associate at McKinsey & Company with a background spanning startups, management consulting, and impact-driven work. She brings hands-on experience building and scaling early-stage ventures across the finance, retail, and technology sectors. As part of her MBA at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, Valentina was selected for the 2024 cohort of the Golub Capital Board Fellows program, where she was recognized as a Social Impact Award winner for the project she developed in collaboration with CIF. Following her graduation, Valentina joined CIF as a member of the Board of Directors.
