Brandon Combs, MNA Executive DirectorExecutive LeadershipBrandon joined Erika’s Lighthouse in June 2019. He brings with him over 20 years of nonprofit experience ranging from Executive Director, Board Member to volunteer for many passions and causes. He earned his Master’s in Nonprofit Administration in December 2009 from North Park University and his BA in Political Science from Indiana University in May 2004. Brandon wants to ensure that every child feels empowered, validated and important.
Kristina Kins, MSW Director of OperationsExecutive LeadershipKristina came to Erika’s Lighthouse in 2016 as a graduate intern and joined the team full time in 2017 as Director of Outreach & Development. After spending many years in the business and financial services sectors, Kristina is excited to be working with an organization that promotes the importance of good mental health through education. She obtained her Master of Social Work (MSW), along with a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Philanthropy, from Loyola University Chicago. Kristina graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a BA in sociology.
Peggy Kubert, LCSW In MemoriamEducationPeggy is a licensed clinical social worker, addictions counselor, student assistance trainer and parent educator. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Chicago, and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. Peggy has been with Erika’s Lighthouse since 2006, developing our programming and working with schools to implement our programs. Peggy is passionate about providing consultation, support and training to students, educators, parents and health professionals to help young people lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Ilana Sherman, MPH Director of EducationEducationIlana joined Erika’s Lighthouse in September 2019 as Director of Education. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ilana brings with her over 15 years of non-profit health education programming experience ranging from Outreach Coordinator to Director of Education. Ilana is excited to be part of Erika’s Lighthouse to help further the mission and empower preteens, teens, their caregivers and educators to learn and talk openly about adolescent depression.
Katie Conklin, LPC, M.Ed. Vice President of ProgramsEducationKatie joined Erika’s Lighthouse in August 2021. She has a Masters degree in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University. Katie has over 15 years experience working in behavioral health and nonprofit administration. Katie is passionate about mental health awareness in schools and is excited to be a part of the Erika’s Lighthouse team.
Shantal Saldaña, MA Manager of School OutreachEducationShantal joined Erika’s Lighthouse in August 2022. She brings over 10 years of experience in family and community relationships, non-profit, and education. Shantal has a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is passionate about giving youth, their families, and their support systems the tools and education they need to take charge of their mental health. Her goal is to spread awareness and make mental health a safe and common topic for conversation.
Meade Means, MLIS Development ManagerDevelopmentMeade joined Erika’s Lighthouse in October 2019. She brings over eight years of nonprofit experience as both a professional and a volunteer. She is committed to helping nonprofits and is excited to be a part of an organization that is tirelessly working to improve mental health in young adults. Meade has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University.
Nathalia Harris Marketing CoordinatorMarketingNathalia joined Erika’s Lighthouse in July 2022. She has a BFA in Creative Writing from Stephens College and brings forth four years of experience managing social media across many platforms. Nathalia is passionate about increasing awareness of mental health and inciting change in the stigma surrounding it. She seeks to not only grow and make connections but to create those opportunities for others as well.
Derick Elkin Empowerment Club CoordinatorEducationDerick joined Erika's Lighthouse in 2023. He hails from the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, and has been shaped by its diverse and unique culture. His academic pursuits led him away from home to the University of Missouri-Columbia, better known as Mizzou. There, he earned dual degrees: a BA in History and another in Latin. Post-graduation, he ventured to China, immersing himself in a new environment and culture, while teaching English to non-native speakers. Eventually, he returned to the United States, spending several impactful years in Texas as an educator before finding his way back to Chicago, where the prospect of joining Erika's Lighthouse fills him with excitement and purpose.
Laura Geiger Donor Engagement ManagerDevelopmentLaura joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2022, bringing a decade of nonprofit fundraising experience as a professional and a volunteer. She is committed to working to further the Erika’s Lighthouse mission within our community and across the country. Her three children drive her dedication to promoting good mental health for all. Laura has a BS in Human Development from Colby College and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA.
Nick Crothers Fundraising ManagerDevelopmentNick joined Erika's Lighthouse in September 2023. After graduating with a BFA from DePaul University, he entered into the non-profit and education space before then stepping into the world of events. Nick is passionate about mental health awareness, and is thrilled to be joining the Erika's Lighthouse team.
Kristin Zabikow Operations & Volunteer Engagement AssistantDevelopmentKristin joined Erika's Lighthouse in July of 2023. She brings over 10 years of experience in Marketing and Recruiting with a degree in Communications from Indiana University. Kristin is excited to be pivoting her career into the non-profit space and looks forward to helping spread the Erika's Lighthouse mission further through our Community Ambassador Program. She is passionate about removing the stigma of depression and believes good mental health practices are key to the success of all young people
Lauren Harper, CPA Finance ManagerOperationsLauren joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2024. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from The George Washington University. She brings fifteen years of accounting experience, most of which was spent working in International Development. Lauren wants to see a world without mental health stigma and she’s thrilled to bring her love of non-profit accounting to Erika’s Lighthouse.
Maureen O'Hara Coordinator of School OutreachEducationMaureen joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2024. She brings 6 years of experience in strategic storytelling, trauma informed care, non-profit administration, and performing arts education. She is committed to helping others share their stories, and promoting safe mental health practices. Maureen holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University.
Brandon Combs, MNA
Executive Director
Executive Leadership
Brandon joined Erika’s Lighthouse in June 2019. He brings with him over 20 years of nonprofit experience ranging from Executive Director, Board Member to volunteer for many passions and causes. He earned his Master’s in Nonprofit Administration in December 2009 from North Park University and his BA in Political Science from Indiana University in May 2004. Brandon wants to ensure that every child feels empowered, validated and important.
Kristina Kins, MSW
Director of Operations
Executive Leadership
Kristina came to Erika’s Lighthouse in 2016 as a graduate intern and joined the team full time in 2017 as Director of Outreach & Development. After spending many years in the business and financial services sectors, Kristina is excited to be working with an organization that promotes the importance of good mental health through education. She obtained her Master of Social Work (MSW), along with a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Philanthropy, from Loyola University Chicago. Kristina graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a BA in sociology.
Peggy Kubert, LCSW
In Memoriam
Education
Peggy is a licensed clinical social worker, addictions counselor, student assistance trainer and parent educator. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Chicago, and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. Peggy has been with Erika’s Lighthouse since 2006, developing our programming and working with schools to implement our programs. Peggy is passionate about providing consultation, support and training to students, educators, parents and health professionals to help young people lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Ilana Sherman, MPH
Director of Education
Education
Ilana joined Erika’s Lighthouse in September 2019 as Director of Education. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ilana brings with her over 15 years of non-profit health education programming experience ranging from Outreach Coordinator to Director of Education. Ilana is excited to be part of Erika’s Lighthouse to help further the mission and empower preteens, teens, their caregivers and educators to learn and talk openly about adolescent depression.
Katie Conklin, LPC, M.Ed.
Vice President of Programs
Education
Katie joined Erika’s Lighthouse in August 2021. She has a Masters degree in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University. Katie has over 15 years experience working in behavioral health and nonprofit administration. Katie is passionate about mental health awareness in schools and is excited to be a part of the Erika’s Lighthouse team.
Shantal Saldaña, MA
Manager of School Outreach
Education
Shantal joined Erika’s Lighthouse in August 2022. She brings over 10 years of experience in family and community relationships, non-profit, and education. Shantal has a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is passionate about giving youth, their families, and their support systems the tools and education they need to take charge of their mental health. Her goal is to spread awareness and make mental health a safe and common topic for conversation.
Meade Means, MLIS
Development Manager
Development
Meade joined Erika’s Lighthouse in October 2019. She brings over eight years of nonprofit experience as both a professional and a volunteer. She is committed to helping nonprofits and is excited to be a part of an organization that is tirelessly working to improve mental health in young adults. Meade has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University.
Nathalia Harris
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing
Nathalia joined Erika’s Lighthouse in July 2022. She has a BFA in Creative Writing from Stephens College and brings forth four years of experience managing social media across many platforms. Nathalia is passionate about increasing awareness of mental health and inciting change in the stigma surrounding it. She seeks to not only grow and make connections but to create those opportunities for others as well.
Derick Elkin
Empowerment Club Coordinator
Education
Derick joined Erika's Lighthouse in 2023. He hails from the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, and has been shaped by its diverse and unique culture. His academic pursuits led him away from home to the University of Missouri-Columbia, better known as Mizzou. There, he earned dual degrees: a BA in History and another in Latin. Post-graduation, he ventured to China, immersing himself in a new environment and culture, while teaching English to non-native speakers. Eventually, he returned to the United States, spending several impactful years in Texas as an educator before finding his way back to Chicago, where the prospect of joining Erika's Lighthouse fills him with excitement and purpose.
Laura Geiger
Donor Engagement Manager
Development
Laura joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2022, bringing a decade of nonprofit fundraising experience as a professional and a volunteer. She is committed to working to further the Erika’s Lighthouse mission within our community and across the country. Her three children drive her dedication to promoting good mental health for all. Laura has a BS in Human Development from Colby College and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA.
Nick Crothers
Fundraising Manager
Development
Nick joined Erika's Lighthouse in September 2023. After graduating with a BFA from DePaul University, he entered into the non-profit and education space before then stepping into the world of events. Nick is passionate about mental health awareness, and is thrilled to be joining the Erika's Lighthouse team.
Kristin Zabikow
Operations & Volunteer Engagement Assistant
Development
Kristin joined Erika's Lighthouse in July of 2023. She brings over 10 years of experience in Marketing and Recruiting with a degree in Communications from Indiana University. Kristin is excited to be pivoting her career into the non-profit space and looks forward to helping spread the Erika's Lighthouse mission further through our Community Ambassador Program. She is passionate about removing the stigma of depression and believes good mental health practices are key to the success of all young people
Lauren Harper, CPA
Finance Manager
Operations
Lauren joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2024. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from The George Washington University. She brings fifteen years of accounting experience, most of which was spent working in International Development. Lauren wants to see a world without mental health stigma and she’s thrilled to bring her love of non-profit accounting to Erika’s Lighthouse.
Maureen O'Hara
Coordinator of School Outreach
Education
Maureen joined Erika’s Lighthouse in January 2024. She brings 6 years of experience in strategic storytelling, trauma informed care, non-profit administration, and performing arts education. She is committed to helping others share their stories, and promoting safe mental health practices. Maureen holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University.
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