Working for non-profits is Michael’s second career, having spent his professional life in medical education and pharmaceutical advertising in New York City. As the CEO of NCM Nexus Inc. and Park Row Publishers Inc., he created and oversaw a portfolio of promotional campaigns for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia. This 40-year body of work includes award-winning programming in HIV and AIDS, oncology, infectious diseases, heart disease, and psychiatry, produced for physicians, allied healthcare professionals, consumers, and patients.

He has served on the boards of the non-profit Brooklyn Public Library Foundation (New York) and the biotechnology company Artecel Sciences Inc. (North Carolina).

Trisha leads the agency’s fundraising and community outreach efforts. Trisha started her “volunteer career” in Nebraska, moving to Princeton, Illinois in 1991. She has been active in the community since then and has been part of several volunteer service organizations while working her “first career.” She is very proud to serve Freedom House in these capacities and enjoys nothing more than presenting our story and vital mission to the public at large.

Trisha’s efforts in community relations and fundraising has been ongoing for more than 25 years. She has vast experience working with people, along with community organizations, not-for-profits, boards of directors, and helping businesses with marketing and communications. She gravitates to organizing people for projects and helping them celebrate their accomplishments. She is passionate about encouraging the potential of the people around her.

Trisha has been involved in philanthropic causes throughout her professional life. She has recruited, led, and trained hundreds of volunteers and organized dozens of events. 

Jen oversees advocacy and counseling services for our Domestic Violence Program.  She is a licensed social worker. Previously, she was the Victim/Witness Coordinator for the YWCA of Sauk Valley and, before that, she served as a Legal Advocate, where she provided crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and counseling to domestic violence survivors. Jen is a  Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional and a graduate of the Illinois Victim Assistance Academy. She holds an MSW from  Aurora University.

Melanie manages advocates, counselors, preventionists, and a volunteer coordinator for the Sexual Violence Program. Melanie was previously a legal advocate at Freedom House, providing crisis intervention, legal advocacy, case management, and supportive counseling to survivors of sexual violence. She started at Freedom house as a prevention educator for grades pre-K through 6.  Melanie serves on numerous community boards and committees and is a graduate of the Advanced Illinois Victim Assistance Academy through the Illinois Attorney General. Melanie is passionate about empowering survivors of sexual violence and excited to lead a talented staff and volunteers.