Kelly has been involved in Board development and strategic planning for 20-plus years. In her current position, she is responsible for helping charities and philanthropies recruit diverse Boards of Directors and strengthen the operation of those Boards. Previously, as Executive Director of the Chicago Children's Choir, Kelly directed all non-musical aspects of the Choir's programs. This included interacting with the Board of Directors on all governance issues and spearheading Board recruitment and training activities. Before that, she worked as Assistant Dean at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law where she served as liaison with the Board of Overseers and helped its members discharge their varied responsibilities. Kelly currently serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Chicago Public Interest Program. She earned an A.B. in political science and a law degree from the University of Chicago. She was a founding Board member and President of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits and remains an ACN member. She is the author of "The Board Member's Bill of Rights," published by the Center for Nonprofit Boards (now Boardsource). Her blog "The Nonprofiteer" addresses issues in nonprofit management: www.nonprofiteer.net.

Christopher has been involved in nonprofit executive leadership for 29 years, 15 years as CEO for four associations. In his current position, he is responsible for strategy and oversight, board development, organizational effectiveness, and executive leadership. Previously, as President at Laxton Nonprofit Network, Christopher provided interim executive leadership and management, board development, and organizational design and development to associations and nonprofits. Before that, he worked as CEO at National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork where he was responsible for executive leadership, organizational development and re-design, customer service and program development. Christopher currently serves as President of Life Services Network of Illinois. He earned a BA in Classics from McGill University and he is a member of Association Forum of Chicagoland, ASAE, and BoardSource.

Helen Catherine Liebelt, usually known as “Kate,” has spent the past five years working in various capacities with high-performing Boards. As President of the Chicago Health Executives Forum (CHEF), she recruits, retains, and leads dynamic individuals from health and pharma and works with them to coordinate education, networking, and advancement opportunities for more than 1,800 greater Chicago-area healthcare executives. As a co-founder and Board member of Catalyzing Collaboration in Industry and Academia in the Life Sciences, she co-leads the Board governance, participates in strategic planning, and facilitates education programs for the organization’s 300+ members. At Takeda Global R&D, Kate’s management role includes establishing and maintaining vendor relationships and defining project development structure. Kate earned a BA in Economics at Washington University in Saint Louis where she worked in Business Development in the Washington University Saint Louis Office of Technology Management. She produced reports addressing research funding trends and supported strategy for managing annual private and public research funding of more than $530 million. Kate’s current volunteer activities include serving on the Planning Committee of Biologue Chicago, acting as Parent Liaison for Chicago Minds Matter, and serving as a patient’s Ombudsman for the Illinois Long Term Care Program.

Susan has been involved in development for 10 years. In her current position as Executive Director, she is responsible for leading the organization through the next phase of development including board development, strategic planning, and implementing a new program initiative. Previously, as Board of Director at Family Shelter Service, Susan was responsible for the leadership of a $2 million capital campaign, chaired the Board Governance committee, and developed a Board mentor and recruitment program. Before that, she worked as Director of Human Resource at Garden Center Services where she was responsible for recruitment, talent management, benefits, and organizational development. Susan currently serves as Board of Directors for Chicago Organizational Development Institute Chapter. She earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University and a Master of Art in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University. Her dissertation was entitled “The Dyadic Relationship between an Executive Director and Board Chair during Turbulent Times.”