Our Team
Board of Directors
Jennifer Jones, President
Jennifer is the owner and Director of Event planning for JNM Events.
For 17 years, Jennifer has planned a wide variety of private, corporate and charity events all over the US! Through her love and passion for simply making people happy, she gives all of herself to bring joy to those through her events.
After attending the University of Michigan, Jennifer moved to Chicago, where she has been involved in giving back to underrepresented communities for years; and has been involved with many different organizations around the city. She is excited to bring her experience from her prior involvement with other communities to HelloBaby, as well as seeing the smiles on the little faces and their parents that we support.
Jennifer Jones President
Kathy Campbell Wolf, Vice President
Kathy Campbell Wolf holds a BA in International Studies from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Kathy began her career as an agent at Elite Model Management in Chicago, eventually starting her own agency representing fashion photographers and producing photo shoots. Kathy and her husband are the proud parents of a son and daughter and are actively involved with their school. After adopting their second child, Kathy met Debbie Frisch in 2009 when they both were Board Members at the Adoption Center of Illinois. Together, with photographer Susan Andrews, they spearheaded a rebranding and new marketing material for the adoption agency. Kathy is also a Board Member at the Chicago based not for profit Spark Ventures, an international organization servicing communities and enhancing the quality of education for people in Zambia and Nicaragua.
Kathy Campbell Wolf Vice President
Allison Youngblood, Treasurer
Allison Youngblood manages her own consulting business working with corporate and non-profit clients on aligning strategy, people, organizations, and technology to maximize the value of investments and strategic decisions. She uses deep experience in change management and project management, combined with strong analytics and facilitation skills, to bring
together effective cross-functional teams that can solve problems and build organizational capacity.
Allison is a passionate supporter of the community and believes that communities working together can effect change to increase the opportunities for and well-being of all members. A life-long volunteer, she grew up in Missouri where she was a Girl Scout starting in grade school and a member of the teen advisory board for March of Dimes in high school. In Chicago, Allison has served on the boards of Chicago Lights, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and the Junior League of Chicago. As an active volunteer she applied her consulting experience to the non-profit sector resulting in an award-winning Junior League program to build capacity in social service organizations. She supported Bright Promises Foundation when it refined its focus and recently worked on its 150th anniversary committee to develop and host the Elevating Youth Voices Fair. As a single mother who raised her son in Chicago, Allison values the support communities can offer to families and is excited to help Hello Baby provide a solid foundation for all children.
Allison earned a Masters in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Management from the University of Missouri.
Allison Youngblood Treasurer
Heidi Tischer, Secretary
Heidi is a native of Chicago and resides in the city with her husband and boy-girl twins. Upon their arrival, she decided to leave the insurance industry and stay home to manage the household. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer extensively in her community and at the Chicago Public School her children attend. Heidi is the President of the West Bucktown Neighborhood Association where she works closely with her neighbors, local Community Policing Office, Alderman’s office, Park Advisory Council, local businesses and schools, to foster a tight knit sense of community despite living in a large city. Heidi also serves as Vice President of the Friends of Alcott which supports students, families, teachers and staff to make significant improvements to the quality of the school and cultivate a strong school community.
Heidi Tischer Secretary
Dr Damian McGee, Director
Dr Damian McGee Director
Kathleen Platt, Chair Resource Development Committee
Kathleen resides in Chicago with her husband and son. She spent many years working in the events industry, including The Bank of America Chicago Marathon and The PGA TOUR’s BMW Championship as well as planning and executing The Makeover Mile, an event that focused on the health and safety of underserved communities around the country. She now focuses on volunteering extensively in neighborhoods within the city. She is actively involved in her son’s school Parent Association and is a huge supporter of the animal rescue community. HelloBaby makes a tangible impact on the community and Kathleen is so happy to be a part of an organization that strives to make real change in the lives of children and their families.
Kathleen Platt Chair Resource Development Committee
Meredith Clayton, Director
Meredith is a pediatrician who has served in a broad range of healthcare contexts, from a regional children’s hospital to utilization management and from a mission hospital in Africa to a large HMO practice in southern California. Presently she works both as a Physician Advisor for AIM Specialty Health and as a pediatrician at Aunt Martha’s Children’s Reception Center on Chicago’s southside.
Born in Kansas and raised in France, Meredith graduated from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biological Sciences in 2003. Following her pediatric residency, she undertook a second residency in Preventive Medicine at Loma Linda University in California, where she also earned a Masters Degree in Public Health.
Meredith is particularly excited to be affiliated with Hello Baby, given its strong belief in the importance of early literacy and interactive play for child development, two evidence-based practices she emphasizes in her own pediatric work.
Dr Meredith Clayton Director
Dr. Patricia Y. Jones Blessman, Director
Dr. Patricia Y. Jones Blessman is a licensed clinical psychologist with over thirty years of experience as a clinician, consultant and administrator of mental health programs. Although now retired, her vocational experience encompassed a diverse array of clinical settings; public and private, profit and not-for-profit as well as academic institutions. The integrating theme throughout her varied work experience has been the consistent focus on access to and development of culturally appropriate social services and mental health care for children and their families. Her clinical work has primarily focused on trauma; child abuse and interpersonal violence. She has volunteered her services for children caught in high gun violence communities. She has come out of retirement to focus her energy on health education and coping as we face this global pandemic.
Her philanthropic and civic work also includes serving as a board member for Code Pink: Women for Peace, international Center for Global Child Advocacy and trustee emeritus of Children’s Advocates for Change, a policy and advocacy group which addresses the common welfare of children across the state and is often a leader in key policy shifts that impact children nationally.
Dr. Jones Blessman, with her husband Stephen Blessman are members of the American Sustainable Business Network, a diverse community of business leaders and entrepreneurs who can effect positive social change through business. They are also sustaining members of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Their combined business interests and portfolio focus is also on socially responsible investing. While screening their family stock portfolio for companies that do good socially while doing well financially, the Blessman’s strive to obtain the triple bottom line results of financial success, social responsibility and environmental sustainability through carefully picking private equity investments.
Dr. Jones received her baccalaureate degree from Northwestern University’s School of Education with a major in Human Development and Social Policy. She earned her doctorate degree in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Patricia Y. Jones Blessman Director
Jason Weaver, Director
Jason Weaver, also known by his stage name J-Weav, is an actor and singer who was born and raised in Chicago.
He is best known for his roles as Marcus Henderson on The WB sitcom Smart Guy, Jerome Turrell on the sitcom Thea, and the pre-teenaged Michael Jackson on the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream.
He was also the singing voice of the young Simba in Walt Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King and he played Teddy in the 2006 hit movie ATL.
He is currently working on Showtime’s The Chi, about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
As a father, Jason knows there is no such thing as somebody else’s child. Jason is excited to work with HelloBaby because of his commitment to give back to the community that he will be forever attached to.
Jason Weaver Director
Sonji Barnes, PhD, M.Ed.,M.S, Director
Dr. Sonji Barnes…advocate, servant and global leader in education, for over 25 years. She is a business professional, administrator, and intentionally focused educator, who believes that we should “show up prepared to do the work we were placed here to do''. She credits her passion and love as an educator to her upbringing during her early childhood experience as a kindergartener attending the Montessori School, which was housed on the rich soil and deep roots of Tuskegee Institute/Tuskegee University, in her beloved hometown, Tuskegee, Alabama. Dr. Barnes’ globally infused portfolio is filled with an exciting repertoire of work and life experiences. In addition to working in underprivileged and privatized school systems, she has been afforded the grace to serve in three of the Top 10 highest enrolled public, urban and culturally enriched school districts in the United States: Miami-Dade, Broward County and Chicago Public School Districts. Dr. Barnes has also had the pleasure to teach students from over 30 nationalities, as an Adjunct Professor/Instructor at Loyola University-Chicago, Robert Morris University, City Colleges of Chicago, Advanced Software Analysis College (Miami, FL), Computer Systems Institute, UNIBE-Universidad Iberoamericana (Punta Cana, DR) and Northwestern University-Evanston and Chicago campus. She studied at the world renowned University of Fundacao Getulio Vargas, as an international scholar in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she also taught English as a Second Language to native Portuguese speakers. Dr. Barnes earned her PhD in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (University of Illinois at Chicago) a Master of Education in Counseling and Student Development and Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing (Tuskegee University); and earned her third graduate degree, an MS in Early Childhood Education: Leadership and Advocacy (Erikson Institute). Her research interests include a call to action and equity in public education, public health, children’s advocacy and mental health awareness in ECE, with topics such as: The importance of play and family time in children 0-8 years old; An in-depth look at the disparities of why the highest percentages of maternal morbidity and mortality rates are in our underserved communities; Bridging the learning gap from school to home in ECE; The importance of why vision and hearing screenings in ECE are necessary to enhancing a child’s learning experience in urban school settings; Literacy and language development in preschool age children; Helping parents bond with their early learners during and after a global pandemic; and Are we missing the signs? Poor mental health in infants and early learners. Her devotion to children’s learning, love for her craft, and passion for action based research is why she “shows up prepared to do the work…” as a diverse, equitable, inclusive and enthusiastic Educator! In her spare time, Dr. Barnes is a volunteer and participant in various marathons around Chicago. She enjoys spending time with her love squads: wonderful husband, amazing son, brilliant parents, supportive family and cherished circle of sister friends. She is a world traveler and resides in Chicago.
Dr. Sonji Barnes Director
Robbin Carroll, Director
With a degree in biochemistry from UCLA, Robbin Carroll aims to combine her knowledge of the body’s response mechanisms to stress with collaborative community engagement in order to foster hope and healing in Chicago.
Robbin ran her own business for 35 years. After completing her yoga teacher certification, Robbin became interested in how the body moves to heal trauma. She has trained with Street Yoga in Seattle, YogaKids in Connecticut, Radiant Child Yoga in New York, Brain Gym in California, and the Justice Center in Boston, MA.
Robbin began her NFP work in Englewood as a volunteer yoga teacher for children at the Montessori School of Englewood. Through yoga and mindfulness practice, her intention was to provide children with some relief from the stress and trauma caused by continued exposure to violence. It became evident, however, that much of the stress and challenges experienced by the children occurred outside the school’s walls.
In 2013, Carroll expanded her efforts by purchasing an abandoned home in Englewood and officially incorporated I Grow Chicago, NFP to address the root causes of trauma in Englewood. Through I Grow Chicago’s Peace House, Robbin worked to integrate the practices of restorative justice, artistic expression, mindful movement, somatic coaching and economic development to create a new model of social change.
Robbin Carroll Director
Advisory Board
Jeff Braddy, Advisor
Jeff and his wife Susan are the Andrews and Braddy of Andrews Braddy Photography. For over 20 years, Jeff has worked for a wide variety of satisfied clients including many Fortune 500 brands. Jeff’s brings drama and life to the products he photographs.
As a life long resident, Jeff is deeply committed to Chicago. Jeff and Susan are parents to a daughter and son, Alex and Ian, and were very active in CPS when their children were students. Jeff has always used his photographic skills to give back to the community. Jeff is committed to capturing the story of HelloBaby on film.
Jeff Braddy Advisor
Sherlanda Brooks, Advisor
Sherlanda Brooks is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Sourcing Solutions. Sherlanda has extensive experience in Supplier Diversity with major global organizations. In addition, she also has experience as a successful business leader and entrepreneur in the consumer product industry.
Prior to forming Diversity Sourcing Solutions, Sherlanda has had the privilege of working in Supplier Diversity for global procurement leaders such as Kraft Foods, Mondelez International and PepsiCo. Sherlanda’s passion for Supplier Diversity began when in 1996 as a Women Owned Minority Business Enterprise; she started her own consumer product company “As Good As Mother’s” Inc., a specialty product line of seasonings. Through her work with Supplier Diversity leaders at Kroger, Safeway and Albertson’s, she secured local and national distribution in over 1500 grocery stores and food service outlets across the country. In 2007, amid rising cost, Sherlanda sold As Good As Mother’s as intellectual property.
Currently Sherlanda serves as the chair for Diversity and Social Responsibility for the Institute of Supply Management (Chicago), Lane Tech Alumni Board Member and the advisory board for the Women’s Business Development Center. She also plays an active role in working with and empowering youth in underserved communities as well as supporting women’s shelters. Sherlanda attended the University of Kansas on a full track scholarship where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications.
Sherlanda Brooks Advisor
Sidney Frisch, Advisor
Sid grew up in Highland Park, IL, and has lived in Chicago since receiving his bachelor and law degrees from the University of Illinois. He is an attorney at the law firm of Frisch & Frisch, Chtd. His practice has been primarily focused on business, real estate, and tax matters. He is married to Debbie, and together they are parents of daughters Lauren and Michelle, puppies Hunter and Morris and grand puppies Boone and Daisy.
Sid is happy to lend his legal and business expertise to HelloBaby. With his wife Debbie, Sid believes all children are entitled to opportunities for safe, inspired play.
Sidney Frisch Advisor
Gerri Cicchinelli, Advisor
Gerri became a fundraiser from her involvement as a volunteer at Children’s Memorial hospital and for her passion for making a difference. While she had enjoyed a career as a retail entrepreneur and corporate executive, being able to apply her drive and energies to a mission driven organization is what she aspired to do.
She attended the Northwestern School of Continuing Studies and obtained a Certificate of Philanthropy. Gerri has worked at various Chicago nonprofit organizations and is currently at her dream job as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation.
Gerri believes that an education is the key to reducing the cycle of poverty and changing the trajectory of a family. She believes that HelloBaby will facilitate positive change in the communities it serves and is honored to be part of this groundbreaking work.
Gerri Cicchinelli Advisor
Angelita Johnson, Advisor
Angelita is a seasoned educator and pediatric developmental therapist and an unwavering advocate for underserved communities. With a profound passion to nurture the potential in every child and a heart committed to making a positive impact, she wants to continue to change the world of education and pediatric therapy.
Angelita’s quest to transform young lives began two decades ago. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Education, she initially worked as an elementary school teacher, where she discovered her natural talent for connecting with and understanding the unique needs of each child. Her drive for excellence led her to pursue a master’s degree in Education, solidifying her expertise in addressing the challenges faced with children with diverse developmental needs.
Angelita is honored to be affiliated with HelloBaby because of the positive impact and change it brings to the community.
Angelita Johnson Advisor
Kassie Cicchinelli, Advisor
Kassie was born and raised on the North side of Chicago and loves the city and all it has to offer. She is passionate about caring for the people of Chicago, especially those that are less fortunate. Kassie is honored to be part of the founding team that has started the Young Professionals Board for HelloBaby, serving in the role as President.
Kassie graduated from the Latin School of Chicago and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Indiana University. She currently is a project manager for a marketing firm. She loves spending time with her friends and family, dogs, being outdoors and pizza!
Kassie Cicchinelli Advisor
Nathalie Loma, Advisor
Nathalie Loma was born in 1987 in the beautiful country of Cameroon. Sadly, two months after her birth, Nathalie’s father passed away. The sudden passing of Nathalie’s father created financial hardships for Nathalie and her mother. To make ends meet, Nathalie’s mother taught herself to sew and became a seamstress and dressmaker specializing in African fabric and special event clothing.
Nathalie grew up watching her mother making beautiful clothes for others while providing for her family. She watched and learned from her Mother and fell in love with fashion. As she stated in her last interview,” I remember seeing my Mom look at fabric and asked it what it wanted; it was as if she knew the garment would speak back to her. This is something I have cherished and incorporated in my work as a designer”.
Pursuing a better life through education, Nathalie moved to the USA in 2006, to study Journalism and Broadcasting. After graduating she hosted red carpet events, fashion shows and worked as a fashion writer. She quickly realized her love for fashion was imbedded in her DNA and as much as she loved broadcasting and journalism, fashion was pulling her in every direction.
With the passion to become a designer Nathalie rented a small workroom and spent every working moment designing and sewing her line. Nathalie looks forward to every opportunity to create the perfect garment for each client.
With her Mother as her continued role model and support, Nathalie has been able to overcome life challenges and pursue her dreams. She mentors and encourages students in high school because more than anyone Nathalie understands the importance of following your heart’s desire.
Nathalie Loma Advisor
Young Professionals Board Members
Brittany Martin
Danielle McKinney
Sonal Patel
Lindsay Trewn
Erin Young
Alex Giordano Waldock
Maggie Witzenburg
Staff
Debbie Frisch, Founder and Executive Director
Debbie Frisch is a Mother, Foster Mother, Spiritual Director, Volunteer, Community Activist and Philanthropist. Debbie is a Chicago transplant who comes from modest beginnings. The City of Chicago welcomed her with open arms and she is thrilled to give back to the city that she loves. Debbie is actively involved with many not for profit organizations that support economically disadvantaged families and children. But her true love has been the children she has been blessed to care for. She is passionate about continuing on her journey to partner with and support families with young children. “I created HelloBaby to help moms and to give all children a joyful, healthy, safe start.”
In response to the lack of services available to parents in underserved communities, Debbie decided to take a chance. Her goal is to establish a safe place that that is friendly, welcoming, environmentally responsible, accessible and fun. Simply said, Debbie believes every baby deserves the best.
Debbie Frisch Founder and Executive Director
Jesmine Nampala
Jesmine is originally from Atlanta, but has made Chicago her home. She enjoys interacting with children and helping their parents. Jesmine loves that HelloBaby is a free, safe place for kids to come play and socialize with other kids. HelloBaby has helped Jesmine and she says her daughter loves to visit. Jesmine is excited to be a part of the Hello Baby team because she knows that HelloBaby helps parents and their children be successful.
Jesmine Nampala Assistant Manager
Tamika Baker
Tamika was raised on the south side of Chicago. She has a background in public relations and event planning. Tamika became involved in early childhood education in 2018 when her son turned 3 years old and she began volunteering at his daycare. Tamika fell in love with teaching and became a substitute teacher. She loves what HelloBaby represents, the amazing impact it has on the community, and how it helps families. Says Tamika, “I love watching the kids grow and learn every day. It brings me joy!”
Tamika Baker Assistant Manager
Amanda Freeman, Director of Social Media
Amanda is our resident social media expert. She grew up in the western suburbs and has lived in or around Chicago all of her life with the exception of completing a degree in photography at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and teaching English for a few years in Seoul, Korea. She has always loved children and is excited to combine that love along with her passion for photography and social media to support the work of HelloBaby. Amanda believes that building stronger communities will lead the city of Chicago to a brighter, safer future.
Amanda Freeman Director of Social Media
Susan Andrews, Development Director
Since her early years in a small town in Michigan, Susan has been living, raising two children, and making photographs in Chicago for more than 20 years. As a photographer, she specializes in photographing people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Her clients include companies that serve babies and children, and include Radio Flyer, Gerber, McDonalds, PepsiCo and Quaker.
Susan combines a keen eye for photography with a heart for the young - supporting the work of HelloBaby, Special Olympics, The Adoption Center of Illinois, The Lincoln Park Zoo, and other family-focused community organizations. According to Susan, “The great joy of my life has been raising my children. The highlight of my career is the work I have done photographing infants and children. Working with HelloBaby is a natural fit for me”.
Susan Andrews Development Director
Maya Jefferson, Staff
Raised in the heart of Hyde Park throughout her childhood and early adult years, Maya has always had a passion for helping others.She has over 15 years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and is also an Health Advocate for Seniors on the South Side of Chicago.Maya loves working with the public, and her goal is to help as many people as possible.Because of her distinct love for aiding others, she joined the Hello Baby Team just to further her passion.
Maya Jefferson Staff
Teddy was born in Toledo, OH and currently resides in Chicago, IL. He is passionate about education and is certified as a therapy dog. To that end, he has attended several rigorous training academies and institutions of higher learning. In his free time he enjoys lake front walks, romps at the park, playing fetch and chewing on bones. Teddy is happy to be on staff at HelloBaby. He says the hugs and kisses he gets from our guests are his favorite thing ever.