FACE THE FUTURE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Retired Healthcare Administrator
Brad is a retired healthcare administrator and elementary school educator, and he is currently a Supervisor at Ralph Lauren on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. While a healthcare administrator, Brad focused on finance and legal contract with various payors, physicians, and medical facilities. He worked with a hospital, a major insurer, and as a consultant with many physicians and medical facilities. Later, Brad became a National Board-Certified teacher and taught for 22 years in the Englewood and Cabrini neighborhoods in Chicago. He worked mainly with 4th grade and kindergarten students during those years and served on several educational boards during his tenure. At Ralph Lauren, Brad oversees the Children's areas within the Chicago flagship, and is one of the top sales associates. Last fall, Brad collaborated with Ralph Lauren to hold a shopping event benefiting Face the Future.
Brad currently moved back to the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, into a building where he lived before. During his free time, he swims competitively. (He is nationally ranked in his age group.) He also plays tennis and travels as much as possible. He looks forward, post COVID, to spending extended periods abroad.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board
- Vice President of the Board
Job Titles:
- Project Management Development
Mackenzie received her B.A. in communication and media from the University of Michigan with a minor in entrepreneurship and an emphasis in marketing through the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Her work dovetails her communications background and future legal career goals. Aspiring to be an attorney and matriculating to law school this fall, she has held various positions in the legal space. Most notably, she worked as an intern for a civil litigation firm and a judicial extern to a federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois. She currently serves as a court appointed special advocate for children in Cook County.
Mary is a research Assistant Professor at Loyola University of Chicago. As a research scientist, she studies how diabetes impacts the heart contraction and understanding the reasons why people with diabetes develop heart conditions at the molecular level. She is also developing therapeutic avenues to help people who suffer from diabetic cardiomyopathy (heart failure that is caused because of diabetes). Mary has published 16 peer reviewed scientific publications. She has received multiple awards and spoke in national and international scientific conferences about her research. Mary receives funding from the university and the government to enable her to perform her extensive research and she has trained and taught many scientists in her department.
Job Titles:
- Inclusion Coordinator for JCC Chicago
Rena Rosen is the Inclusion Coordinator for JCC Chicago, the largest Jewish Community Center in North America, a position she helped create that previously did not exist. Through her work, Rena plans and facilitates programs for teens, cultivates relationships with partner organizations and individuals in the greater global community , and consults and educates on all aspects of accessibility and inclusion with the many departments of the agency. Prior to this role, Rena was a preschool educator with the same agency for many years and found great joy in educating the most earliest learners.
Rena spends a significant amount of her free time doing things that align with her values and mission in life, which is to make her corner of the world a bit more inclusive and kinder than it was yesterday. Rena started a Facebook group in 2020, Knit For A Unique Fit, connecting individuals with limb differences and unique hand structures with someone who can create a pair of unique gloves for them. The group is nearing 3700 members and over 220 items have been sent all over the world!
In 2017 Rena co-wrote a children's book called ‘The Courage to Be Kind' teaching parents and caregivers what to do when you see someone who looks different. She has spoken at schools and organizations about kindness and has been written about in many articles for the work and the advocacy she has done.
Many who know Rena, know that she sticks by her brand of inclusion, kindness, and supporting the education around Disability and differences. Most of her clothing has a "Be Kind" message on it! Her values are
With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rob has worked on both the sales and production side of the business. He prides himself on his ability to foster close ties with his his clients and prioritize their business needs by acting as an extension of their in-house team. Currently in his role as a senior Vice President at Lockton, Rob is responsible for maintaining the well-being of his employees and guiding employee engagement.
Sandy is a nationally-ranked paddle tennis player, and she teaches paddle tennis at multiple clubs part-time in the Chicago area. She is also an avid indoor and outdoor tennis player. Sandy is a member of the Saddle & Cycle Club and the Women's Athletic Club in Chicago. Sandy and Chris currently serve as vice-chairs of the Yale Parents Leadership Council, a group of parent volunteers who help fundraise for the University. They also have done fundraising for many years on behalf of Walter Payton College Prep
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Board Director / Development Chair
- Member of the Chicago Association of Realtors
- Second - Generation Real Estate Broker
Stephanie Turner is a second-generation real estate broker serving the Chicagoland area. She has lived in Chicago since 1993, attending DePaul University on a tennis scholarship, graduating Cum Laude with degrees in Fitness Management and Athletic Training in 1997. Stephanie was captain of the women's tennis team and served on the DePaul Athletic Board.
Having lived in the West Loop since 1999, Stephanie has seen the neighborhood change and grow in value, which piqued her interest in the real estate market. Her involvement in real estate has been from childhood. Stephanie's family has been in the real estate industry for over 40 years owning a commercial and residential appraisal firm in Wichita, Kansas. The passion for real estate is in her blood. Stephanie's business is centered around client relationships, with a work ethic providing the highest
level of service. "Making a difference" is the reason she's in real estate. Her clients describe her as ambitious, energetic, insightful, and dedicated. Stephanie's background as a former college athlete brings her competitive edge to the negotiating table.
Stephanie is a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors®, National Association of Realtors®, and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Outside of work, you can find her playing platform tennis, running with her dog Moxie, and enjoying the Chicago restaurant scene.
Sue LaPlaca has worked for Face the Future Foundation since January 1991. As Administrative Assistant to the Board, Sue maintains the Board's database, donation acknowledgments, solicitation of Auction Item donations, and coordination of volunteers for fundraising events.
Sue has also been with Retirement Services Group since May of 2014, overseeing all of the firm's administrative functions in her role as Office Executive. She directly oversees all correspondence and financial documents, such as new client account applications and transfer of assets. Sue compiles Morningstar reports, financial spreadsheets, and educational materials for 401 (k) clients.
Sue value family, friendships, commitment, service, and compassion. She resides in Glenview with her husband. She has three children of whom she is very proud: Mario (CPA), Gina (MBA) and Joe (JD), and she is happy to say that her son, Joe, has now joined Face the Future's Board.