Board of Directors

Bill Considine

Bill is president of Considine Financial and has been a private equity investor for the past 15 years. Bill is eager to work with kids in the inner city and has been associated with a number of charitable organizations over the years, including an active Board role for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

James Crimmins

James teaches advertising and consumer behavior at the DePaul University where he has been Executive in Residence for the last year. He was formerly Chief Strategic Officer of DDB Chicago and Worldwide Brand Planning Director.

Jim Curtin

Jim is the central defender for the L.A. Chivas Soccer Team. He first became involved with Urban Initiatives when he was a member of Chicago's home soccer team, the Chicago Fire.

Thomas Dammrich

Thomas is an Associate at the Chicago Law Firm, Grippo & Elden LLC, where he currently practices commercial litigation. Thomas received his J.D. from Northwestern University.

James Dower

Jim Dower is a Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives. He serves as a coach and instructor for the Wilmette Wings Soccer Club and is a substitute teacher in the Chicago Public Schools.

Lauren Florian

Lauren Florian is a Registered Dietitian and a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. She currently works for DayOne Health and Escape 2 Fitness where she enjoys teaching people how rewarding living a healthy lifestyle can be. She received her undergraduate degree from University Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and is currently completing her Master of Science in Nutrition Education degree form Rosalind Franklin University.

Helen Friedli

Helen is a Partner at McDermott, Will & Emery, where she serves on the management and compensation committees.

Cristian Galli

Cristian is the managing Partner for Taurus of Chicago, a subsidiary of Taurus Investment Holdings as well as Asset Manager for Mr. George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products. Co-Partner and Co-Founder of Shamrock Farms Development, LLC. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Ralf Hilpusch

Ralf serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Storck USA, L.P. Storck, headquartered in Chicago, is part of August Storck KG, a 106-year old, privately owned confectionery manufacturer based in Berlin. Ralf and his wife, Jutta, reside in Wilmette with their three children Johanna, Julian, and Leo.

Neil Hirshman

Neil is a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis. Neil has a passion for sports and working with children – he has coached all three of his children in both soccer and basketball and was part of the initial group of Big Brothers, Big Sisters at Harvard Law School.

Daniel Isherwood

Dan Isherwood is a Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of Urban Initiatives. He is also a substitute teacher for the Chicago Public Schools and serves on the Junior Board for Boys Hope Girls Hope.

Krish Mohip

Krish was born and raised in Skokie, IL.  He began his career teaching in the Chicago Public Schools.  During this time he also attended Loyola University of Chicago and received a Master's Degree in Educational Administration.  While working in the Chicago Public School he served as a Kindergarten teacher, Science and Technology Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Principal.  He is currently the Principal at John A. Walsh Math and Science Academy. 

Ron Redd

Ron is a Director at BMO Capital Markets. He is the Chairman of the Urban Initiatives Board of Directors and also serves on the Board for the Black Ensemble Theater and Avocet Polymers. 

Dasan Robinson

Dasan is a defender for the Chicago Fire. Dasan works intimately with the children at Urban Initiatives and is on the program's development committee

Ben Rodman

Ben is a Managing Director at Chicago-based private equity group, Valor Equity Partners. Mr. Rodman also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kohl Children's Museum.

Stephen Wetzel

Stephen is a partner at Executive Pro Search, Ltd. and also serves on the board of the Young Executives Club.