Recent Executive Service Corps'
Clients Share their Experiences with ESC
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning
“Executive Service Corps provided the perfect match in consultants for our strategic planning work. It assembled a team with diverse backgrounds and varied expertise to efficiently and effectively conduct a bench-marking survey to support our organization’s strategic plan development. The survey directly contributed to the successful completion of our strategic plan – allowing us to set the stage for the next phase of the organization based on data gathered from across our industry. ESC truly delivers on its mission to make nonprofits successful.”
- Jennifer Van Valkenburg, President & CEO,
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
Future Ties, NFP
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, COVID-19 Pandemic Response, Virtual Activities and Events
“Thanks to Executive Service Corps (ESC) for helping us with much needed information/resources during the pandemic to support our programs.”
- Jennifer Maddox, Executive Director,
Future Ties, NFP
Rogers Park Business Alliance
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching
“I’ve been executive director of the Rogers Park Business Alliance for nine years. During that time, Executive Service Corps has been extremely helpful. We have used ESC to facilitate our annual strategic planning process and used its services for executive coaching. We are never disappointed.”
- Sandi Price, Executive Director,
Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA)
Centers for New Horizons
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching, Human Resources
“ESC has been an amazing thought partner, who helped me align my vision for the organization into a strategic plan.”
- Christa A. Hamilton, CEO & Executive Director,
Centers for New Horizons
River City Community Development Center
ESC Engagements: Fund Development
“We're in the midst of our ESC consulting and our board and staff have all been very impressed with its involvement. Our consultants have been knowledgeable, warm, reliable, understanding, and passionate about their work. We know that they love our work and really want to make us better. We're so grateful for them!”
- Elizabeth Galik, Executive Director,
River City
Community Development Center
Chicago Semester
ESC Engagement: Executive Coaching
“ESC has been a tremendous partner to Chicago Semester. I, along with my staff, have engaged in professional coaching with executive coaches and have benefited greatly from this work together.”
- Mackenzi Huyser, Executive Director,
Chicago Semester
Associate of Industrial Real Estate Brokers
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning
“ESC has continued to be our partner in our strategic planning initiative. At no additional charge, our consultants advised our organization about how to keep our plan relevant in light of COVID19.”
-Adam Tarantur, President, Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers (AIRE)
Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Board Development
“Thankfully, I was able to convince our board of directors to work with Executive Service Corps (ESC). With the help of ESC, we held a board retreat and, with ESC’s guidance, we re-vamped the entire board structure and created committees that are now engaged and working together for the advancement of our entire membership. Thank you, ESC!
- Terry Dason, Executive Director, Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce
Forward Momentum Chicago
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching
“Executive Service Corps (ESC) has been instrumental in helping the Forward Momentum Chicago team develop in ways that not only support the individual but also the organization and its growth. I have been really pleased with the level of quality and flexibility ESC's volunteers have provided and look forward to continuing to partner with ESC in future areas of professional development.”
- Tammy Hsu-Hartenstine, Operations Manager,
Forward Momentum Chicago
Spanish Community Center
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Turnaround Consulting
"ESC's team brought a wealth of expertise to our organization during a pivotal turnaround moment. I would recommend ESC to any nonprofit organization seeking expert support during a transition. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with the ESC team and the friendships I have made through our engagement!"
- Veronica Gloria, Executive Director,
Spanish Community Center
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
ESC Engagement: Human Resources, Strategic Planning
“We have used ESC on numerous projects. ESC led our strategic planning process, assisted with identifying both an interim and permanent CFO, re-tooled our performance management system, and redesigned our employee manual. The access to top level professionals and consultation, at fees friendly to non-profit budgets, is worth every penny of the investment.”
- Mike Bertrand, President and CEO,
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
NAMI DuPage County
ESC Engagements: Executive Recruitment and Placement
“Without a doubt, ESC made the application process the best I have ever experienced. ESC was professional, efficient, and did exactly what it said it would do. I will certainly be engaging ESC when a future need arises.”
- Geri Kerger, Executive Director, NAMI DuPage
Aspiritech
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching
“After painstaking research, Aspiritech engaged with ESC in 2017 to help our staff and board develop a new strategic plan for 2018-2020. ESC’s guidance and support exceeded expectations. Our plan's theme, "Scale New Heights of Growth and Success," aptly describes the impact of our joint work. Not only has Aspiritech exceeded most goals ahead of schedule, ESC also helped us assess where we were at and where we were heading. The path forward continues to serve us even in such an unprecedented year.”
- Brenda Weitzberg, Executive Director,
Aspiritech
Chicago Friends School
ESC Engagement: Executive Coaching
“My coach from ESC helped me think about fundraising and advancement in ambitious ways, but also helped me to come up with concrete action steps that even a tiny staff can do effectively.”
- Karen Carney, Head of School, Chicago Friends School
Northwest Side Housing Center
ESC Engagements: Human Resources, Executive Coaching
“ESC helps strengthen organizations through providing critical services that are often overlooked due to funding and time constraints. Its services help you reflect, plan, and execute to address organizational challenges and prepare for the future.”
- James Rudyk, Jr., Executive Director,
Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC)
Apna Ghar (Our Home)
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching
“ESC provides extremely valuable services to nonprofits. Apna Ghar has benefited from strategic planning and executive coaching among other ESC services over the years. As a result, our organization is stronger, better able to plan, and forward thinking.”
- Neha Gill, Executive Director,
Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home)
Family Service Lake County
ESC Engagement: Human Resources, HIPPA Compliance Review
“Just WOW! We received support that we could never afford on our own. The talent on the ESC team just blew me away. The deliverables were timely, professional, and “spot on” … Any NFP that does not reach out to ESC to discuss its needs is missing a wonderful opportunity to make its organization stronger."
- Nancy Sawle Knobloch, Executive Director,
Family Service of Lake County
Mikva Challenge
ESC Engagements: Finance
“As a new executive director, I was struggling with understanding nonprofit budgeting and best practices. A friend suggested that I contract ESC for training. ESC provides such an invaluable (and affordable) option for nonprofits. Often, we do not have the fiscal capacity to hire consultants. ESC's program is incredibly affordable. This allowed me to contract ESC for training in budgets for an entire year. He was my budget guru! He met with me monthly for a year and truly helped me to understand the budgeting process. He is extremely knowledgeable and connected me with a ton of resources. I would recommend ESC's services to any nonprofit!”
- Michelle Morales, Former Chief Executive Officer,
Mikva Challenge
North Shore Exchange
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning
“North Shore Exchange has used the services of the Executive Service Corp on four separate occasions for projects ranging from refining our mission, to help with inventory process and control, to strengthening our board structure. The consultants from ESC have been invaluable in helping lead our organization in the right direction. They are a talented, dedicated group that listens and has well thought-out recommendations. We would definitely use ESC’s help and expertise in the future.”
-Wendy Serrino, President of Board,
North Shore Exchange
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
ESC Engagements: Executive Transition Management, Interim Executive Director
“Executive Service Corps was instrumental in helping our organization successful navigate through a significant transition. Our ESC team was extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and flexible in meeting our needs. The constructive guidance and direction our ESC team brought with it was invaluable.”
-Jane Tyschenko-Mysliwiec, Executive Director,
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Ryan Banks Academy
ESC Engagements: Education, COVID-19 Pandemic Response
“As a nonprofit leader, ESC has been a life saver in more ways than one! Most recently, at the start of the pandemic, ESC sent us dozens of masks so that we could keep our students and staff safe during a time when masks were very hard to come by.”
- Valerie Groth, Founder & CEO,
Ryan Banks Academy
Northern Trust
ESC Engagements: Corporate Social Responsibility, C3, Training, Board Development
“Northern Trust’s Collaboration with ESC has led to a highly tailored development opportunity for our executives currently serving on nonprofit and civic boards. Leveraging ESC’s governance and training expertise, our launch of the Northern Trust Board Leadership Forum adds a new dimension to our board leadership program and furthers our goals of making a meaningful impact on the communities in which we work and live.”
- Deborah Liverette, former SVP,
Northern Trust
Mikva Challenge
ESC Engagements: Finance
“As a new executive director, I was struggling with understanding nonprofit budgeting and best practices. A friend suggested that I contract ESC for training. ESC provides such an invaluable (and affordable) option for nonprofits. Often, we do not have the fiscal capacity to hire consultants. ESC's program is incredibly affordable. This allowed me to contract ESC for training in budgets for an entire year. John was my budget guru! He met with me monthly for a year and truly helped me to understand the budgeting process. He is extremely knowledgeable and connected me with a ton of resources. I would recommend ESC's services to any nonprofit!”
- Michelle Morales, Former Chief Executive Officer,
Mikva Challenge
Christ in the Wilderness Retreat Center
ESC Engagement: Accounting & Finance, Assessments or Measures, Board Development, Fundraising & Development, Strategic Planning
“There is real value in receiving input from outside one's organization. ESC provided that for us, helping us identify issues and focusing our strategies going forward.”
- James Croegaert, Board President,
Christ in the Wilderness Retreat Center
Arab American Family Services
ESC Engagement: Board Development, Executive Coaching & Operations
"Working with ESC, in general, has been a delight. It's reassuring that an organization like ESC exists and has consultants who are not only knowledgeable but passionate. ESC consultants are willing to invest all their experience in organizations such Arab American Family Services to see us thrive and meet our mission.”
- Itedal Shalabi, MSW, ICDVP, Executive Director,
Arab American Family Services
Renaissance Social Services, Inc.
ESC Engagements: Training, Executive Coaching
“Working with Executive Service Corps was a great experience. ESC went above and beyond in the services provided. It met all of the expected outcomes for our project. ESC also provided additional resources and connections with other organizations that were not a part of the original scope of work but were needed to strengthen our board of directors. ESC brings experts to the table that one would not get with a typical consultant. ESC has experts from all over that bring different skill sets than other consultants we have used in the past. I highly recommend ESC to any non-profit looking to be more effective in meeting one’s mission.”
- Michael Banghart, Executive Director,
Renaissance Social Services, Inc.
Deborah's Place
ESC Engagements: Human Resources, Executive Coaching
“Deborah’s Place has benefited from the services and programs of ESC for over 20 years. We have worked with ESC consultants on strategic planning, financial analysis, executive and team coaching and, most recently, succession and staff development planning. With our ESC consultants, we developed tools such as a succession planning model and matrix, individual development plans, and recommendations. We deeply appreciated the work of our consultants, Jeanne and John, who listened to us and built their work around our articulated culture and needs. They were engaging, respectful, collegial and flexible. We will look forward to future projects with ESC. They are a vital and accessible resource for nonprofits in Chicago.”
- Audrey Thomas, Executive Director,
Deborah's Place
Cure SMA
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Executive Search and Placement, Consultant in Residence, Executive Coaching
“Cure SMA has engaged with Executive Service Corps (ESC) for several years. The work has ranged from the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic plan to collaborating with our senior leaders and board of directors on specialized targeted projects. The team from ESC has always exceeded our expectations. We will continue to utilize the services of ESC for future projects.”
- Kenneth Hobby, President,
Cure SMA
Geneva History Museum
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning
“The Executive Service Corps was very beneficial to the Geneva History Museum in understanding ourselves, the community we serve, and establishing a strategic plan to move us forward.”
- Terry Emma, Director,
Geneva History Museum
Wild Ones
ESC Engagement: Interim Executive Director
"ESC helped Wild Ones survive a very difficult time when we were between executive directors and needed to instill more professionalism and leadership in our small staff. We asked ESC for help to hire a temporary Interim ED and were lucky to get Pam Wilcox, who proved to be literally worth her weight in gold and diamonds and rare native plants! Our organization is now on the right path and moving forward on a solid foundation. Thank you, ESC!”
- Janice Hand, National President,
Wild One
Above and Beyond Family Resource Center
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, Finance, Human Resources
"The Executive Service Corps, and Rachelle Jervis in particular, were instrumental in helping our 501C3 nonprofit to achieve measurements and goals to which we did not otherwise have access. ESC strengthened, broadened, and (more precisely) directed our efforts towards our mission in numerous, measurable ways. I have spent a great deal of time with consultants in the past, and I give ESC the highest marks of them all with the wholehearted agreement of my staff. They are truly ‘Above and Beyond’!"
- Daniel Hostetler, Executive Director,
Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center
North West Housing Partnership
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching
“ESC corporate volunteers are highly experienced professionals with a wealth of information that provided our nonprofit with a roadmap on how to grow and move forward successfully.”
- Robyn Sandys, Executive Director,
North West Housing Partnership
Season of Concern
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning
“We were very happy with the time ESC took with our organization. ESC seems to go above and beyond. It was an excellent experience working with such professionals.”
- Mike Checuga, Chairperson,
Season of Concern
Chicago Semester
ESC Engagement: Executive Coaching
“The coaching that the ESC provided to me was exactly what I needed at this point in my career. My coach was a motivational and encouraging advocate, always listening carefully and providing deep insights on my skills and practices. Her confidence and experience in the non-profit sector were invaluable as I worked through my own experiences and questions. Thank you for sharing the impact of your work with me!”
- Kendra Wright, Director, Social Work Program & Strategic Program Initiatives,
Chicago Semester
Borderless Magazine NFP
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, Training, COVID-19 Pandemic Response
“My experience with my coach was amazing and came at a really important time in our organization's growth.”
- Nissa Rhee, Executive Director,
Borderless Magazine NFP
Munster Education Foundation
ESC Engagement: Strategic Planning
“ESC was great to work with from beginning to end. ESC guided us through a strategic planning process that our organization had never been through formally. its willingness to put in the time and due diligence to understand our organization inside and out made the difference. It felt like ESC was an extension of our board.”
- Paul Rotatori, Vice President,
Munster Education Foundation
The Chicago Reporter
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, Training, COVID-19 Pandemic Response
“ESC helped me appreciate that the challenges we face are not unique and there is are resources and people who can help. I'm grateful to the McCormick Foundation for this tremendous opportunity, as well as the other members of my cohort and the mentors who have, no doubt, contributed to my growth as a nonprofit leader.”
-Fernando Diaz, Editor and Publisher,
The Chicago Reporter
Institute of Cultural Affairs
ESC Engagement: Interim Executive Director
“Your staff was responsive to our needs and gave us pertinent and useful HR advice and tools.
Thank you!”
-Nancy Trask, Chair of the Search Committee & Secretary of the Board,
Institute of Cultural Affairs
Erie Neighborhood House
ESC Engagement: Social Enterprise, Human Resources
“Erie House has been engaged with ESC for many years. ESC helped create our strategic plan and has made numerous community connections. The mentors we’ve had the privilege of working with have become fast friends of Erie House as an agency and with the collaborating staff.
Erie House greatly values its relationship with ECS and looks forward to continuing to work together for many years to come.”
- Kirstin Chernawsky, MPS, Executive Director,
Erie Neighborhood House
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning
“ESC allowed our small association to conduct a thorough, proper strategic planning initiative that would not have been possible otherwise. We are seven months into our plan, and we’ve accomplished more than we ever thought possible. This is the second time our association has used ESC to help with our strategic plan. The overall experience has been so positive that we’re definitely looking forward to engaging ESC again when we need to update our strategic plan.”
-Stephanie Crain, Executive Director,
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
Chicago HOPES for Kids
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Fund Development
“Chicago HOPES for Kids has benefited greatly through receiving consulting services from ESC. ESC helped us develop committee charters for our finance committee, governance committee, and associate board. I have recommended ESC to other non-profit organizations, especially those who receive grants to do so.”
- Patricia Rivera, Founder, Chicago HOPES for Kids
True Star Media & Foundation
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, Training, COVID-19 Pandemic Response
ESC has been a tremendous resource for True Star Foundation, particularly in sharing of information and tools that can help build the effectiveness of our operations.
- DeAnna McLeary-Sherman, Executive Director,
True Star Media & Foundation
Monarch Thrift Shop
ESC Engagement: COVID-19 Pandemic Response
“ESC was present in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic to offer us free PPE just at the time we were looking into how to provide it for our staff and volunteers. We're grateful for its generosity!”
-Christa Clumpner, CEO, Monarch Thrift Shop
Change Illinois
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, Training, COVID-19 Pandemic Response
"The one-on-one executive coaching sessions ESC provided were a tremendous value. Those sessions helped me to grow as a thoughtful and accountable leader and manager in the non-profit world. I am so grateful for the opportunity."
- Madeleine Doubek, Executive Director, CHANGE Illinois
Chicago Fashion Incubator
ESC Engagements: Interim Executive Director
"We are truly grateful to our former executive director and ESC for this guidance. As the new executive director, I am grateful for the developed strategic plan and key foundational documents which have enabled my leadership transition to be smooth."
- Tonya Gross, Former Executive Director, Chicago Fashion Incubator
Hadassah Chicago-North Shore
ESC Engagements: Strategic Planning, Social Enterprise
“We brought in ESC to assist our non-profit with evaluating and creating an action plan for our resale shop which was performing sub-par. Of note is ESC’s professionalism when presenting its findings, reporting to the oversight committee, and gaining the necessary buy-in. This helped us achieve a profitable year, with a sizeable donation for the vital works of our organization.”
- Ronna Ash, Executive Director, HADASSAH Chicago-North Shore
Foundations College Prep
ESC Engagement: Executive Coaching
“My ESC coach really takes the time to listen to me and my specific context before working with me to identify next steps and solutions. I quickly became very comfortable sharing my honest perspective and frustrations with her – she helps me work through challenges by asking the right questions and offering clear insights and practical advice.”
- Micki O'Neil, Executive Director, Foundations College Prep
Child Care Center of Evanston
ESC Engagement: Organization Review
"Thank you to the Executive Service Corps of Chicago. As a small, not for profit, we could not afford the quality of expertise we were able to tap into. Your help was invaluable."
- Lindsay Percival, Executive Director,
Child Care Center of Evanston
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Executive Service Corps (ESC)
ESC Engagements: Extensive
"ESC is proud to use our own consulting and executive coaching services to ensure excellence in our own organization. As they say in development, 'We eat at our own restaurant.'"
- Rachelle Jervis Chopra, President & CEO,
Executive Service Corps (ESC)
Citizen Advocacy Center
ESC Engagements: Executive Coaching, COVID-19 Pandemic Response, Training
"ESC provided me with a coach who really helped me think through several challenges I faced as an executive director. I could then implement new systems to address them. The role of executive director can be a lonely one, and it was immensely helpful to have a coach to confide in."
- Maryam Judar, Executive Director & Community Lawyer,
Citizen Advocacy Center
College Possibilities
ESC Engagement: COVID-19 Pandemic Response
“The Executive Service Corps is an invaluable resource, bringing comfort and compassion during the early days of Covid-19. ESC made masks for our team and students during a time when it was challenging to secure masks. College Possible will be forever grateful for this act of kindness.”
- Christine Poorman, Executive Director,
College Possible
West Side Institute for Science and Education
ESC Engagement: Board Development
“ESC enabled me to engage with my board at a critical juncture in our organization, while providing me an opportunity to grow professionally.”
- Kevin Hull, Executive Director,
West Side Institute for Science and Education