Laura has been involved in grantmaking for 13 years. In her current position, she assesses the strength of non-profits' foundation fund raising efforts. Previously, as Executive Director at Jewish Women's Foundation of Chicago, Laura was responsible for reading proposals, staffing the foundation's Grants Committee, providing training and guidance to foundation trustees on effective grant making, and working with trustees to define the foundation's grant making vision and focus. Before that, she worked as Executive Director at the Boston Women's Fund where she was responsible for Major gift fundraising, grant writing, foundation relations, supervision of the Associate Director who oversaw the grant allocations process, and day-to-day foundation management. Laura currently serves as Board member for Jewish Women's Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, and AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Chicago. She earned an M.A. in History from University of Michigan and a B.A. in Political Science from Mount Holyoke College. She is a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association of Consultants to Non-Profits, and Chicago Women in Philanthropy. Laura is an experienced professional with 25 years in the non-profit sector and a proven track record in grantmaking, integrated fund raising & marketing and non-profit leadership.

Deborah’s 40-year career in the arts world is comprised of distinctive elements in concert performance, arts advocacy, education and community building. Currently, as Artistic and Executive Director of Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral, she oversees all fundraising and capacity building activities for the organization. Under her leadership, Rush Hour has secured funding from over 20 major grantmakers. Previously, she was the founding Artistic and Executive Director of The Chicago Chamber Musicians, where she established foundation, corporate and government funding for ten distinct programs of artistic nurture, educational and community in-reach, recording and touring. Deborah served on the board of The Chicago Chamber Musicians from 1986 - 2005. She has further worked in the community through volunteer work for St. James Cathedral, Near North Montessori, Phillips Academy Andover, and the Arthritis Foundation. Deborah graduated magna cum laude from Smith College. She received her Diploma in Klavier Konzertfach from the Hochschule fuer Musik in Vienna, and her pedagogy degree at London’s Royal College of Music.

Birdie has been involved in development for 10 years. In her current position, she is responsible for leading and overseeing all fundraising and organizational development activities for a small arts organization with a $400,000 budget. She has succeeded in securing grants totaling over $700,000 from ten new foundations, three corporate foundations, and one government agency. Previously, as Assistant Program Director at National Jazz Museum, Birdie was one of two people on staff building and implementing programs for a future jazz museum in Chicago. She was instrumental in a reviving the organization’s programs by attracting and developing relationships with new funders, many of whom continue to be involved in funding the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Before that, she launched her career in fundraising as a Development Associate at Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education where she was responsible for producing grant proposals and researching new funding prospects. Birdie currently serves as Committee Member, Chicago Sister Cities International Program's China Committee, and the Chicago Art Department. She earned an MA in International Relations from University of Chicago and a BA in East Asian Studies from Columbia University. She is a member of the Jazz Education Network and League of American Orchestras.