MEET THE BOARD
Rich Padula
Chair of the BoardRich is the founder of Syclo, which was acquired by SAP in 2012. The company was started in 1996 out of his basement and became a leading enterprise mobile platform company. As the CEO for 16 years, he grew the company to over 200 employees with large enterprise and government customers in 39 countries, becoming a leading channel partner for SAP, IBM, and Oracle. Rich also serves on the Governing Boards of Northwestern McCormick School of Engineering Advisory Council, Northwestern Farley Center for Entrepreneurship, OneTrack.AI, Vodori, Xwing, R7 Partners, and is passionate about addiction recovery.
Bryan Cressey
Founder, Board MemberBryan Cressey is a pioneer in the field of private equity investing and is co-founder of four of the largest private equity firms in the United States. He co-founded Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner, Thoma Cressey Bravo, Cressey & Company, Frist Cressey Ventures, and Above and Beyond. Bryan is recognized as one of the country's greatest investors and builders of companies and leadership talent.
Daniel Angres
Board MemberDaniel is a national expert in psychiatry, addiction, and physicians health programs. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director of the Positive Sobriety Institute.
Dominic Angres
Board MemberDominic is the Executive Director of the Positive Sobriety Institute. His duties entail program and business development, clinical research, and facilitating patients from intake through aftercare. Dominic has expertise in assessing and managing addicted healthcare and other professionals. He serves as an advocate and ambassador to individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders and dual diagnoses.
Ben Bornstein
Board MemberBen Bornstein is a proven investor and the Managing Director at Arctaris Impact Investors. Ben served as CEO of Imerman Angels and his philanthropic interests continued to seed and blossom at Above and Beyond.
Alexis Fasseas
Board MemberAlexis Fasseas is the Co-Founder and Treasurer at Paws Chicago. Alexis joined Paws Chicago in 1998. Prior to joining Paws Chicago, Alexis was a Partner at Meta Modern Health where she worked for 3 years.
Melissa Kerpel
Board MemberMelissa Kerpel has focused on Immigration Law throughout her career and is recognized as a pioneer in streamlining processes through the use of the internet.
Jonny Imerman
Board MemberJonny Imerman co-founded Imerman Angels, at the age of 26 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While Jonny had support from family and friends, he was unable to connect with someone who had experienced what he was going through. After beating cancer at the age of 29, Jonny decided to create an organization that provided mental support for cancer patients.
Nick Jaworski
Board MemberNick Jaworski is the CEO of Circle Social Inc. and a mental health advocate. Nick is a passionate recovery advocate, through his strategic marketing and operations, Nick has helped numerous companies start from humble beginnings and grow to multi-million dollar-a-year organizations. His expertise drives results for behavioral health clients, like Above and Beyond.
Greg Keilin
Board MemberGreg is the Co-Founder and CEO of Prosperity Behavioral Health. His experience and knowledge in the evaluation, execution, and integration of behavioral health facilities.
Martin Kerpel
Board MemberMartin's primary focus is immigration law, which also couples in the areas of corporate and real estate law. He graduated from the University of California-Berkely and Northwestern University School of Law.
Brian Lighty
Board MemberBrian is the VP, Employee Benefits Specialist at Bank of America. Lighty has more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining LFD, he served as regional vice president of central region platform sales for ING Corporate Markets, Chicago, IL, where he was responsible for sales processes in the retail, broker/dealer, and financial institutions channels.
Terry London
Board Member |Senior Clinical AdvisorTerry London is the Assistant Director of the Chicago Institute for Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). He is the author of seven books on the topic of REBT/REBE written for both professionals and non-professionals seeking information to improve their emotional and behavioral management. For over thirty-two years, he has been teaching graduate courses and presenting workshops, disseminating REBT/REBEinformation and training to many diverse professionals in different fields. He is currently an adjunct instructor at the Saint Xavier University of Chicago.
John Mayer
Board MemberDr. Mayer is a practicing clinical psychologist for over 25 years. An accomplished scientist, he is the author of over 60 scientific publications in his field, most on family life, and 20 books. The book he was asked to write for the United Nations on creating a safe and welcoming school was distributed around the world. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Nuevo Leon, MX
Natalie Neris
Board MemberNatalie Neris leverages her work in education to advocate for social justice and equitable access for students in underserved communities. The first in her family to graduate from college, Natalie began her career with Chicago Public Schools in her own Humboldt Park community. Natalie is charged with leading the organization to fulfill its vision to address the holistic needs of students by implementing a ground-breaking educational model rooted in health and wellness and high academic standards for students.
Herman Russell
Board MemberHerman Russell is a native of Chicago. Today, because someone cared enough about him to introduce him to a twelve-step program of recovery that gives him a daily reprieve from his disease, Herman now makes a positive difference in someone’s life almost every day. He has become an example of what can happen if you work at it. He also firmly believes that success is not based on material things but on what you did to help your fellow man. Today he’s on a mission to let those who still suffer know there’s a way out. He wants to give those who suffer the hope that was given to him.
Stan Sloan
Board MemberRev. Stan is the longest-serving CEO in the history of Chicago House, which provides housing and supportive services to HIV-affected families and individuals who may also be affected by poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness. An Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Chicago, he has been a leader in the homeless and AIDS service communities for more than 15 years.
Dave Thomas
Board MemberDave is a Supplier Diversity Manager assists women and minority business owners gain equal access to business opportunities with corporations and government agencies. Supports organizations such as the National Minority Business Development Council (NMSDC), Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in their efforts to educate, advocate, and create business relationships on behalf of diverse business owners.
Gloria West-Harper
Board MemberA dedicated and compassionate educator, leader, and advocate for individuals with special needs, she has built a legacy working diligently to significantly enhance the daily lives of diverse groups of students and assisting less fortunate individuals to receive the best possible treatment for their addictions to drugs and alcohol. Gloria also serves on the Board of Directors for The Winston Knolls Education Group School,.Lake Forest Academy, and Global Youth Leadership Institute. She is a nationally-recognized leader in equity and justice initiatives and a highly respected educator with more than 30 years of experience.