Meet Our Team
Claire Albert, executive office associate, assists in the logistics of many of IFYC’s external engagements. A native of Dallas, Texas, she graduated from Northwestern University in 2010 as a human development and psychological services major and with a minor in global health. During her final quarter in college, she was lucky enough to take a class taught by Eboo Patel and Cassie Meyer, which inspired her to join the interfaith movement. Claire loves cooking and sports and is always in the mood for a fierce game of Scrabble.
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” –Lyndon B. Johnson
Adrienne Baker, online communications manager, oversees IFYC’s online content and social media strategy. Although she holds degrees in journalism, cultural studies, and comparative literature, she is a dweeb for computer code and the craft of digital art. Adrienne is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and conducted Master’s research on the digital divide at Marquette University. And she's currently pursuing a Master's degree in New Media Studies at DePaul University. Adrienne has used her six years as a professional journalist and educator to assist in the direction of a non-profit and as an adjunct faculty member. She has an eye for “cool” and is currently cultivating it through furniture design and an addiction to micro-blogging.
“As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.” – Toni Morrison
Anthony Blake, director of operations, oversees IFYC’s internal day-to-day operations. Anthony is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is also a huge football fan (especially Michigan - Go Blue!) and has coached youth football for three seasons. Before coming to IFYC, Anthony worked at Microsoft as a product manager within the Microsoft Business Division. That experience taught him valuable time management and PowerPoint skills, but equally importantly, the not-so-envious title of “guy that can fix your computer.”
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...” – The Little Engine that Could
Usra Ghazi, campus engagement associate, was thrust into interfaith work with IFYC as a high school senior and became captivated by the need for young religious voices in the media, in global interfaith work, and the mosque community. She worked on literacy initiatives in Chicago with IQRA’ International Educational foundation, and came to IFYC after a 2-year stint in Jordan teaching English and doing writing/research work with Islamica Magazine, The Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, and the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre with HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. On most weekends and evenings you’ll find Usra catching up with her family around a pot of tea.
“The most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self.” – Prophet Muhammad
Mary Ellen Giess is IFYC’s director of campus partnerships, developing new campus partnerships, implementing campus engagements, and conducting strategic outreach in the higher education network. She spends a lot of time on the phone, irritating her co-workers with her loud and impassioned explanations of the importance of interfaith work in the world today. Mary Ellen grew up Unitarian Universalist in Pennsylvania and is die-hard East Coast. Her abiding love for democracy and justice led her to study the intersection of religion and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard Divinity School. Mary Ellen is best known at IFYC for her ever-growing rubber duck collection.
“Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job.” ––Adlai Stevenson
Amber Hacker, alumni relations manager, oversees IFYC’s alumni program and biennial conference. Amber is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and comes to IFYC with four years of experience in university student life where she specialized in social, educational, leadership, and community programming. Amber organized the 6th International Conference on Interfaith Youth Work, Leadership for a Religiously Diverse World, which brought together participants from over 90 college campuses and 20 countries.. Outside of IFYC, she works as a Youth Group Leader at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. As one of the two Southerners in the office, Amber is our resident Martha Stewart when it comes to cooking and crafts, and she loves a good bargain.
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." – Anne Frank
Gabe Hakim, VP of strategy and operations, is responsible for organizational strategy as well as developing and refining internal systems that allow IFYC to carry out its mission. Prior to joining IFYC, Gabe was a management consultant at McKinsey and Company’s Chicago office. His time with McKinsey was spent on a variety of strategy projects for some of the world’s largest private, public and social sector organizations. He landed at McKinsey after receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. At Michigan, Gabe served as executive director of the state’s largest student-run nonprofit organization: the University of Michigan Dance Marathon.
“Ducks fly together.” – Gordon Bombay
Mike Hammer, campaign communications manager, spends his days devising tools that empower students to catalyze others to mobilize their campuses and give voice to the interfaith movement through IFYC’s Better Together campaign. Hailing from the Golden State with a degree in English lit from UCLA, Mike’s outlook is the result of reading King, Kennedy, Thoreau and Gunaratana; a pilgrimage through India with A Tribe Called Quest in his headphones; and the proof he saw of the power of young people while building TOMS Shoes. He married his best friend and is proud father of the world’s youngest student of social change.
“The most important part of vehicle maintenance is clean windows, so if you are broken down, you will enjoy the beauty of the view.” – Dan Eldon
Megan Hughes, director of campus engagements, works with campuses to build a culture of interfaith cooperation. For the past 3 years, she designed and directed IFYC’s intensive leadership development programs. Megan first experienced the power of interfaith action during her four years working for the conflict resolution organization Seeds of Peace. She moved to Chicago to get her M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago and after hearing an interview with Eboo Patel on NPR, she knocked on our door and asked for a job. Megan currently lives in Cincinnati, OH and enjoys lazy Sunday afternoons spent reading the New York Times.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Alana Kinarsky is a leadership associate at IFYC. Holding a degree in International Relations from Loyola University, Alana has studied in Beijing and spent a year volunteering with a community media NGO in India. While in India, she became mesmerized by a film’s ability to share stories and stimulate dialogue. When not at work you can find her watching movies, volunteering around town, or trying her hand at yet another DIY project.
“What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.” -- John Updike
A native of the California Bay Area, Samantha Kirby is Director of Development at Interfaith Youth Core, where she has worked since 2008. In this role Samantha oversees IFYC’s fundraising from the generous foundations and individuals that make our work possible! Since conducting research on relations between Muslims and Jews while studying abroad in Morocco, Sam has been committed to the work of Interfaith Youth Core and bringing the message of interfaith cooperation into the public conversation on religion. She has written for the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune, and was a winner of Tikkun’s Under 25 Writing Contest. A proud Northwestern University graduate, she was a 2008-2009 Northwestern Public Interest Program Fellow. In 2010 was selected for the US Department of State Young Leaders Dialogue in Prague.
“But let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious.” – Jack Kerouac
As VP of Leadership, April Mendez heads IFYC’s work to expand the student movement for interfaith cooperation. April joined IFYC as a volunteer in 2000 after extensive involvement in student leadership and cross-cultural work in the evangelical Christian community. Two years later, she became IFYC’s first full-time staff member and has done everything from designing and running programs to managing strategy and overseeing organizational operations. Her reflections on interfaith youth work have inspired young people across the world and have appeared in over a dozen publications. Prior to joining IFYC, she founded The Crib Collective, an organization focused on creating a culture of social entrepreneurship among Chicago youth. April has a B.A. in psychology from Carleton College.
“Our purpose on earth is to make this world better than how we found it.”
Cassie Meyer, director of content, oversees training and curriculum development at IFYC. She also teaches courses on interfaith cooperation with Eboo Patel and researches and writes about IFYC’s work in publications like the Journal of College and Character, for which she has been a guest editor. She has a master’s degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School, has been adjunct faculty at several Chicago-area seminaries, and sits on a number of boards relevant to interfaith work in seminaries and faith communities. When not reading theology or throwing mutli-course dinner parties with her sous chef and fiancé, Mark, Cassie plays her guitar and sings old-timey hymns for the candlelit Eucharist service at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church.
"I discovered later, and I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that is it only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. " -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jenan Mohajir, international projects manager, oversees IFYC’s international programs and serves as a senior member of the training team. In this role, Jenan has led intensive interfaith leadership training programs in the United Kingdom, Qatar, Australia, and India. Jenan is a committed Muslim, and received her B.S. from DePaul University in Elementary Education and Islamic Studies. In 2007, she received the Young Alumni Spirit Award from her Alma Mater, DePaul University, for her work as a young leader in the field of building interfaith cooperation among diverse communities in Chicago and around the world. Jenan is originally from India and grew up in Qatar and the United States, and speaks fluent Hindi and Urdu.
“Whatever pearl you seek, look for the pear within the pearl!” – Maulana Rumi
Dan Pawlus, VP of communications, oversees all media efforts, website communications, thought leadership, and branding initiatives. Dan’s been a communicator on several “stages” throughout his career with an eclectic background in the entertainment business that includes professional performing in Broadway tours, theme parks, cruise ships and Wild West stunt shows as well as extensive work in television development and production with award-winning artists and producers. He currently co-hosts "30 Good Minutes," a weekly interfaith talk show, on WTTW 11(PBS) in Chicago. Always involved in the faith world, Dan has been active in music ministries at various churches across the country. His favorite production, however, is his family that includes his wife Leanna, son Luke, and beautiful twin girls.
“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” - Thomas Merton
Ryan Peterson manages IT operations and strategy at IFYC and continues to be intrigued and excited by the current state of technology. Previous to this, he joined the student body at Shimer College here in Chicago and studied the classical "Western" canon where he focused on religion, philosophy and psycho analysis, though he will not admit to the last since he believes he will be "laughed at ... neurotically".
When he isn't supporting IFYC's wonderful, talented and ever-growing staff, he is hanging out in Rogers Park with his girlfriend Laura and their two ridiculous dogs. Sometimes, he thinks about what it would be like to finish his master's thesis at EGS on tragicomedy in religion and philosophy. But then he realizes there's a video on the web somewhere of a cat playing piano.
Abhishek Raman is an international projects associate at IFYC. Abhishek holds a BA degree from Clark University where he double majored in Government and Sociology and conducted research on religious nationalism and the politics of identity formation in India. His passionate commitment for politics, social justice, and religious pluralism is highlighted through his involvement in student government, South Asian Students Association, , and the Pluralism Project at Harvard. Abhishek is the quintessential political and news junkie and spends his free time rooting for the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.” – Ted Kennedy
Hana Suckstorff, communications associate, assists with the management of IFYC’s online content. She holds a B.A. in history from Northwestern University, a degree for which she spent time in Italy performing research for her thesis on Renaissance theology. An avid student of the history of religion, Hana is fascinated both by religion in the past (especially medieval and early modern Europe) and today, particularly its intersection with current affairs and public life. She discovered IFYC as a summer intern with Emy Cardoza (interns ‘09 – represent!) and loved her experience so much she came back as a Northwestern University Public Interest Program fellow. Hana is looking forward to bringing the voices of the student interfaith movement to a broader audience, and to finding the best place in Chicago to play tennis.
“Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to the church. Essentially He said that the church should go to the whole world.” - Greg Laurie
Carly Mullinex, accounting manager, is responsible for the overall financial affairs of IFYC. She arrived at IFYC in June 2011 after spending a year teaching English in southern Spain. Prior to her teaching grant, Carly worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP in the areas of audit and international tax. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a BBA in accounting and is a certified public accountant in the State of Illinois. Carly grew up in Iowa, but enjoys living in the big city.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
Katie Johnstone, development associate, corresponds with foundations and individuals supporting IFYC’s young interfaith leaders. Katie graduated from Northwestern University in June 2011 with a BA in International Studies and Communications, and a Fellowship at IFYC through NU’s Public Interest Program. Aside from her devotion to the Jewish community and living a sustainable lifestyle, Katie is passionate about international development and public health, gourmet food and world hunger, and reading or working on art projects to fill the time. She wrote her senior Honors thesis on conflict resolution and the Kenyan postelection violence of 2008, which has inspired her to look toward Africa for future work abroad.
“Somebody's got to be uncomfortable enough to wonder where people are, where they're going, and why they're going there"- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Kyle Anderson, campus engagement associate, works with college campuses to help spread interfaith cooperation. Kyle first experienced the power of bringing together people from different backgrounds for an important cause in Washington, DC, where he worked in development for N Street Village, an organization that supports homeless women. Kyle is a graduate student in Loyola University Chicago’s Masters in Higher Education program. Outside of IFYC, he can be found spending time with his lovely new wife Keira, and rooting loudly for the New York Giants and San Francisco Giants. Kyle is also a big fan of live music, highlighted by an open obsession with singer/songwriter Josh Ritter, who he has seen nine times (and counting) in concert.
"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” - Howard Zinn
Katie Bringman Baxter, campus engagement manager, connects colleges and universities with IFYC opportunities and training. Prior to joining IFYC, Katie worked in higher education and student affairs where she developed a passion for helping students make a difference in the world by engaging with others. She earned a BA in religion from Wittenberg University and an MA in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. The interfaith work of IFYC allows her to connect her personal belief that religion shapes our world with her passion for developing the capacity of college students and creating change through higher education. Before and after work she can found running, biking, and swimming in preparation for her next triathlon, or scouting restaurants or her own kitchen for a great meal.
"The sacred is in the ordinary...it is to be found in one's daily life, in one's neighbors, friends, and family, in one's own backyard." — Abraham H. Maslow
Molly Fried recently joined Interfaith Youth Core as a Leadership Associate, managing the production of Interfaith Leadership Institutes, four intensive days of training that mobilize college students and faculty from diverse backgrounds to launch interfaith movements on their own college campuses. Molly received a B.A. in Religion with a concentration in Jewish Studies from The George Washington University. After graduation, Molly moved to Berlin, Germany for two years, reconnecting Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and German Jews to Jewish traditions and culture through progressive programs for young adults. At IFYC, Molly is continuing to pursue her passion for event production and strengthening the identities and values of today's youth. Outside the office, she is talking to one of her four siblings about anything, dancing hip hop, and trying to brew the perfect espresso shot.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware” – Martin Buber
Megan Lane, campus engagement associate, holds a B.A. in Philosophy & Religion from Appalachian State University, in addition to an M.A. in Religion from the University of Georgia. After setting aside her original intention to pursue a Ph. D in religious studies, she worked in Campus Activities while earning an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from NC State University. As a graduate assistant, she advised and trained the executive officers of around 600 student organizations in best practices for leadership. Megan was exposed to IFYC and its efforts during a class in her last semester of graduate school, and vowed that she would jump at any opportunity to involve herself in the movement. She considers herself very fortunate to be a part of an organization like IFYC, which provides the opportunity to use her educational background to encourage interfaith cooperation among young people. A born and raised Southerner new to the Chicago area, Megan currently spends most of her free time exploring the city, adapting to the Midwestern cold, and spending time with her best buddy–a Welsh Corgi named Oz.
“If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” –Chinese Proverb
Joan Peterson, director of human resources, oversees IFYC’s growing people programs and systems. Joan enjoys using evidence-based management tools to improve squishy HR processes. She recently returned home to the Midwest after spending 25 years in Alaska as an employment law attorney and HR leader. Joan earned her B.A. from Luther College and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. Joan is passionate about the outdoors and wildlife, and is becoming known as “The Bird Lady” in her Lakeview neighborhood. Her favorite recreation includes hikes, bikes, and wildlife watching with family and friends, especially at her cabin in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin.
“Peeps is peeps.” -- Mom
Neha Singh is a leadership associate at IFYC. She is a graduate of The George Washington University where she majored in International Affairs with concentrations in International Politics as well as Conflict and Security and minored in Religion and Political Science. As a part of a politically active and globally aware campus, Neha realizes the necessity of understanding differences in order to cultivate a respectful, diverse and dynamic culture. Despite being a recent college graduate, Neha has had experience working and interning with many different organizations and companies. In her free time, you can usually find Neha getting ready for a Bhangra performance as she has danced competitively for the past four years and continues to do so.
“Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.” - Theodore Roosevelt
Rachel Breck, leadership associate, supports students across the nation as they work toward social change through interfaith action. Coming from a student-activism background in fair trade, Rachel brings knowledge and experience organizing youth. She studied sociology and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied abroad in Cairo, Egypt despite a serious lack of knowledge regarding the region and Arabic. After graduation she meandered about serving as a substitute teacher, interning for Latin@ youth, acting as an election judge, working in a college bookstore, studying Spanish in Guatemala, and swimming. Now you might find her playing Ultimate Frisbee, biking on perilous Chicago streets, weeding in a community garden, cooking vegetables, or baking cookies and the occasional cake.
"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with [her]...the people who give you their food give you their heart." - Cesar Chavez
Mathew Schramm, development associate, drives donor support for IFYC through the annual fund and communicates regularly with philanthropic partners to share inspiring stories about IFYC’s work. Mat grew up in a small, rural Indiana town and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in industrial design. In October 2011, he left his job in the corporate world to work on contract with IFYC’s campus partnerships team, and was elated to accept a position with the development team in early 2012. Mat is also the chair of the missions team at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Chicago and has just as strong a passion for serving and volunteering in the community as he has for making interfaith cooperation a social norm. When he’s away from his IFYC desk, you can probably find him jogging alongside Lake Michigan, exploring every corner of Chicago on his bicycle, or watching Purdue basketball.
"You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." -Anne Lamott