LITTLE BROTHERS - Key Persons


Ann Wohlberg

Job Titles:
  • Director of Program
Ann McCahill Wohlberg joined LBFE in 2011. Ann and her team lead LBFE's full range of programs, including the visiting programs, Celebrations of Life, Food Pantry, Direct Assistance, Lloyd Walding Brain Fitness Center, social clubs, and citywide holiday celebrations on Thanksgiving Day and other holidays. Before joining LBFE, Ann was the Executive Director of Sharing Connections Furniture Bank and also led the Community Nurse Health Association and the Geriatric Education Center Network at the University of Illinois. Ann has a BA from Mundelein College, an MA with honors in Gerontology from the University of Michigan, a Management Certificate from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Specialist in Aging certificate from the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology.

Bill Hassett

Job Titles:
  • CEO, Dot Org Services, LLC

Candace Hansford

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Development Committee
  • Development Committee Chair / Attorney, Hansford & Deckert LLP

Cecilia Straney

Job Titles:
  • Chief Development Officer
Cecilia Straney joined LBFE in September 2010. She works with staff and volunteers to raise funds for the organization and is also responsible for overseeing public relations and marketing efforts. A past Campaign Director with the ADA Foundation and Development Director at the YMCA, Cecilia has worked in resource development for more than 25 years. She has a BA in English from Michigan State University and an MA in Philanthropy from the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Daniel Gurgevich - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Director of Finance
Daniel Gurgevich joined LBFE in September 2005. He is responsible for financial planning, record-keeping and financial reporting for the organization. A past Director of Finance for Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly National Office and Director of Finance for the Emergency Nurses Association, Daniel has worked with non-profits for more than 21 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University.

Jeffery Ramirez

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate, the Matlin Law Group, P.C

Josh Chartier

Job Titles:
  • Director of Volunteer Services & Community Engagement
Josh Chartier joined LBFE in October 2017. He and the Volunteer Services team oversee a volunteer corps of over 1,600 individuals and the support of over 100 organizations, along with the continued recruitment and recognition of volunteers. He also works to connect LBFE to corporations, nonprofits, community groups, and neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Josh has worked in nonprofit operations and volunteer management for over 15 years, primarily in museums. He has a BA in History from Pace University in New York, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Kathy O'Grady

Job Titles:
  • Outpatient Case Manager, Advocate Healthcare

Linda Watson

Job Titles:
  • Chairman / Retired, Ernst & Young, LLP

Michael Melinger

Job Titles:
  • Owner, Home Instead Senior Care of Chicago & the North Shore

Paul Dowling

Job Titles:
  • Director of Social Services, Irish Community Services

Robert Merk

Job Titles:
  • Associate Creative Director, Sandbox

Rosa Torres

Job Titles:
  • Development

Seán Martin

Job Titles:
  • Secretary / Assistant Deputy Public Guardian, Office of the Public Guardian

Sheila McMackin

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chair / President, Wellspring Personal Care

Simone Mitchell-Peterson - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Board Member of the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
Simone Mitchell-Peterson joined Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly in May 2004. Simone leads a team of 35 employees and more than 1,500 volunteers as the organization provides friendship and services to isolated elders. Simone came to LBFE from the Urban League in Chicago where she was group vice president. Simone is a Board member of the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago, a board member of the Urban CPE Consortium, and a charter member and former board member of TEMPO International. She is a past recipient of Business First's "40 under 40" award. Simone has a BA in sociology and anthropology from York University, Toronto, Ontario; an MS in general education from Canisius College; and an MBA from State University of New York in Buffalo.

Sinai Ornelas

Job Titles:
  • Maintenance

Zarik Khan

Job Titles:
  • Senior Internal Audit Manager, Marketing & Payments, Google