Dana La Chapelle, Co-Chair
Dana has been involved with Center for Independent Futures both as a parent and an advisor. Now retired, Dana led a 29-year career at Accenture, ending her time there as the Director of Operations for the North American products division and the Director of Quality Management for Products. Dana is active in board and volunteer positions for a variety of organizations that serve individuals with disabilities, including serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Down Syndrome and volunteering at JJ’s List.
Ira Mitchell, Co-Chair
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 a records management supervisor for Canon Business Process Services.
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.
Gayle Brankin
Gayle is an inclusive education and person-centered transition services consultant with over 30 years of leadership experience. She has served as a director of Special Education services, transition specialist, university instructor, Special Education teacher, and family and student advocate. Her work is guided by person-centered values, high-quality instruction and inclusive services, and a commitment to supporting individuals to achieve their personal dreams and goals.
Claudia Conlon
Claudia is a retired Cook County Circuit Court Judge with over 30 years of experience working in the court system. Before her election to the bench, she served as an assistant public defender and as an attorney with the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Claudia has served as a member of various boards focused on education and the court system. Claudia and her husband live in Wilmette with their three children, including their son Cody, who is a Center for Independent Futures participant.
Andy Coutts, CPA
Andy is a CPA, licensed in Illinois and Ohio. As a Senior Manager in the assurance services department at BDO USA, LLP in Chicago, he provides accounting, auditing, and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries. Andy earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and management from Walsh University and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Ohio Society of CPAs.
Kirsten Curley
Kirsten got 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.
Jim Ducayet
Jim is a partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, where he is a leader of the firm’s Securities and Shareholder Litigation Practice. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and attended law school at New York University. Jim and his wife Joan are longtime residents of Evanston, where they live with their two autistic sons.
Courtney Everette
Never a fan of pesky either/or decisions, Courtney has strived to live a life celebrating both/and as a guiding choice. Equal parts activist, mama, wife, and knower of all things pop culture, she makes it her business to know at least a little about a lot of things, and to live out loud in every facet of her life. Courtney works professionally as an Autism specialist, working with children and families from diagnosis through treatment planning. She spends much of her time being an admittedly crunchy mama bear to two miracle babies, volunteering at their school, reading the latest Stephen King novels, and cultivating her motherhood-induced appreciation for coffee and wine. Courtney also volunteers as a medical advocate for the YWCA, a Girl Scout troop leader to a group of bold, bodacious Brownies, and as a patient advocate for Planned Parenthood.
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.
David Jacob
A longtime resident of the Northern Chicago Suburbs, David received his bachelor of science in architecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Along with a passion for the non-profit sector, David also has a focus on sustainability. With a background in architecture, technology, and operations, David hopes to use his breadth of experience to further the mission of Center for Independent Futures.
Ann Sickon, ex officio
The Executive Director of Center for Independent Futures, Ann has both an adult sibling and a child with disabilities. Building a career combining heath, business, and law, she has worked in hospital research, community health nursing, and starting and managing healthcare businesses. Ann’s health law practice focused on merger and acquisitions and healthcare management issues. Ann earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, her Nursing Diploma from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing, and her Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare administration from University of Michigan-Flint. She remains active with multiple charities, primarily focused on children and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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.
Gabe Val
Gabe has more than 23 years of experience leading the development of interactive, virtual experiences that provide personalized guidance and education for overwhelming tasks like health benefits selection. Gabe joined Chicago-based Jellyvision, Inc. in 1996 and has helped it grow from a small interactive games startup to a leader in the benefits communication space. Gabe, who is a graduate of ETHS and the University of Southern California, currently resides in Evanston with his wife and four boys. Gabe joined the Center for Independent Futures board because he shares a strong belief in the organization’s overall mission and that technology like the My Full Life tool can help empower those people with disabilities to live more independently.
Terry Velan
Terry is Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Lending for Inland Bank & Trust. Terry earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Marquette University. Terry, who is passionate about philanthropic work, has been a Big Brother and currently serves as a Catechist for St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. His wife, Jill, and their two children live in Evanston.
