YERKES FUTURE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Aimee was a teacher and school administrator for over twenty years. She currently serves on various educational institution and community boards in Illinois and Wisconsin. She received her BS from Butler University and her MAEd from DePaul University and MSEd from Northern Illinois University.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant for Development
Ashley is responsible for assisting with administrative tasks at Yerkes. She supports the staff in day-to-day operations and handles the communication for general inquiries into the observatory. Before joining Yerkes, Ashley worked as a legal assistant for 14 years. She graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Human Resource Management. Ashley lives in northern Illinois with her husband and 3 young children.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Vice President of Finance at Chubb Insurance
Currently vice president of finance at Chubb Insurance, Bill previously held finance leadership positions with Allstate and Aviva Insurance. He is involved with various community organizations, including Boy Scouts. Bill received his MBA from DePaul University.
"I could sit all night long in the Yerkes dome with the 24-inch telescope and gaze at galaxies, nebulae, and clusters. I'm really excited to start public viewing sessions with children so they can see the wonders of the universe in real life."
Previously, Chuck led communications for McDonald's Corporation and served as an executive with Burson Marsteller agency. He is now retired and serves on various community boards. Chuck received his BA from Bradley University and studied at the Department of Defense Information School.
Dana is a community volunteer and supporter, along with her family, of a variety of regional organizations. She is current or past trustee of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, Wilmette History Museum, and other organizations. Dana received her BA from University of Illinois.
Dennis is responsible for the leadership and fundraising for Yerkes Future Foundation and the restoration and relaunch of Yerkes Observatory. He previously led science museums, contemporary art centers, and sculpture parks around the United States. He started his career leading exhibit design at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian. Dennis is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and New York University. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife Kelly and a mixed family of five kids, ages 5 to 16.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Business Manager for the Prairie School
Working in corporate finance for SC Johnson Company, Dianna became business manager for the Prairie School in Racine. She is retired and serves on various community boards. Dianna received her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Amanda received her PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Texas at Austin studying variations in how galaxies form, how they live their lives, and how they evolve into the diverse array of galaxy species we see today. Amanda aims to engage diverse communities with inclusive stories of technology and space plus inspire moments of discovery in our everyday lives. She can be reached at abauer@yerkesobservatory.org.
Job Titles:
- Tour Guide & Programs Assistant
Dylan has his degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in English Literature and Secondary Education. He assists in tours and coordinating events. With his backround experience in film and the performing arts, he hopes to entertain an audience into learning and connecting to this historical gem. He can be reached at dkleinschmidt@yerkesobservatory.org.
Job Titles:
- Development & Operations Coordinator
Erin runs many of the behind-the-scenes systems of Yerkes. She coordinates fundraising, strategic planning, volunteers, and development operations. Earning her degree from Illinois State University, she has valuable experience in the medical and education fields. Originally from northern Illinois, Erin now lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two sons. If you have a question about how you can best support Yerkes, please reach out to Erin at ecullen@yerkesobservatory.org.
A trial attorney, Frank serves on various community and educational institution boards in Illinois and Wisconsin. He received his JD from Loyola University.
"I am excited that the public (those who have been here and newcomers) will be able to see the Great Refractor at Yerkes in person. Pictures do not do justice to this magnificent piece of equipment. It stirs the imagination!"
Job Titles:
- Tours and Programs Coordinator
Jana is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and has a degree in Secondary Education English. She taught English and Composition at a local high school and brings her love of teaching to Yerkes, where she designs and conducts tours, manages private clients, and coordinates education and arts programs. She got her own telescope as a child and has been fascinated by astronomy ever since. She can be reached at jlund@yerkesobservatory.org.
Jeff is the CFO at Precision Plus. He is on the boards of Lake Geneva Yacht Club and Supply Chain Equity Partners. He was Principal with William Blair & Company and an Instructor of Practice at Marquette University. He holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MBA from Marquette.
Job Titles:
- Partner at Barnes & Thornburg
Joe is partner at Barnes & Thornburg. He was previously deputy chief for environmental enforcement for the Illinois Attorney General's office and is a former criminal prosecutor. Joe serves as a community volunteer. He received his JD from Southern Methodist University.
"You can't discover something new if you point your big scope at something you already know is there, but pointing a telescope down on Yerkes would be great because I know every day will bring new discoveries."
Kate is president and majority shareholder of BioLife4D, a biotechnology firm. She is the founder of Nottingham Associates, a strategic consulting firm in the pharma sector. Kate is also a community volunteer and serves on various boards. She received her BA from Ball State University.
"As a child going up on the shores of Geneva Lake, I have fond memories of visiting Yerkes Observatory every summer. Walking up the front steps to enter the massive structure always made me think of all who traveled over those steps and their accomplishments in exploring our universe. Every time I enter the building to this day, I am in awe and filled with amazement."
Mallory earned her M.S. in astronomy in 2014 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Since then, she has spent her career at the intersection of science and education, working to inspire a curiosity and appreciation for science in people of all ages and support those that want to make the pursuit of science their career. At Yerkes, she is responsible for developing and implementing outreach and education programming, continuing her mission of ensuring astronomy is truly for everyone. For education and outreach programming inquiries, please reach out to her at mconlon@yerkesobservatory.org.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities & Grounds
Marc is in charge of the restoration, preservation, and maintenance of the Observatory and houses on site. He is also responsible for the care of the fifty-acre arboretum. In addition to his daily commitment to hands-on work, he oversees the work of several crews of contractors. Marc comes to Yerkes after working as a law enforcement officer in Williams Bay. Before moving to Wisconsin, he held management positions at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources working on historic buildings and recreation areas on thousands of acres at Illini State Park. Marc and his family live in the Bay where he coaches high school football.
Mary was the Executive Director of Healthcare for Oracle Corporation, CEO of Kairos Group, and Senior Manager of Healthcare Consulting for Arthur Andersen. In 2022, she refocused on service. She is a hospice nurse for Vitas Healthcare and a volunteer at Lake Geneva Food Pantry. Mary has an MBA from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
"As a child fishing with my dad on the lake, I would stare up at the Dome and wonder what that magnificent telescope might be seeing and discovering. Carl Sagan's show Cosmos continued my fascination with the billions of stars and galaxies. He stated, "The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself." I am honored and excited to be a small part of realizing Yerkes mission of science and the arts for the next little girl with her dad so she can discover she, too, is star stuff."
Peter is currently partner, at Water Street Healthcare Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago. He serves on numerous corporate boards primarily in pharmaceuticals, as well as on various community and educational boards. Peter received his BA from Harvard University.
Robin was an original member and president of Village Treasure House, a nonprofit she has been dedicated to for the past twenty-five years. She has led and served on an array of community-engaged boards including Grant Hospital of Chicago, Lyon and Pleasant Ridge School PTAs, and Glenbrook South's Booster Club. Robin received a BA in Art from Carthage College.
"Whether inside, on the grounds, or on the decorative exterior of the observatory, it's impossible not to find something new and unique every time I visit Yerkes. One of the most iconic places I've experienced, Yerkes is undeniably rooted in discovery and it's only going to get better. Stay tuned!"
Formerly with Bernstein Wealth Management, Tom held positions with Ernst & Young and IBM. He is retired and serves on various community boards. Tom received his BS from Drake University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Programs & External Affairs
Walt runs the tours, programs, marketing, web presence, public relations, and overall visitor experience. He has been in radio, television, tourism, and events for over twenty-five years and came to Yerkes after sixteen years at Chicago Trolley & Double Decker where he began as a tour guide and became executive director. He is currently on the board of the Williams Bay Business Association, Discover Williams Bay, and Walworth County Visitors Bureau. For many years, he served on the boards of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation and Magnificent Mile Lights Festival where he was the Chair. He studied poetry and creative writing at the University of Arkansas and attended the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Washington-Seattle as well as being a student in Brazil and Scotland. Walt and his wife Kate got married at Yerkes and live nearby on their wooded acre with their baby Charles.
Job Titles:
- Facilities & Grounds Manager
Will manages our fifty-acre arboretum and the implementation of modern ecological practices on the Olmsted Grounds. He also helps in the operations of the Observatory's interior. Will grew up in the Lake Geneva area. Before joining the Yerkes staff, he had a 24-year career in law enforcement serving the Town of Linn. With drone and handheld cameras, Will is enjoying documenting the restoration metamorphosis of the Yerkes campus.