Celebrating an Exciting New Chapter for Aneesh Sohoni and OMD

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Meet the Faces
Behind the Board.

Thania Panopoulos, Co-Chair
Thania Panopoulos, Co-Chair

Principal, The Perissos Group

Andrew Beideman, Vice Chair
Andrew Beideman, Co-Chair

Chief Strategy Officer, Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Joe DeCosmo
Joe DeCosmo, Vice-Chair

Chief Strategy Officer, Enova International

David Scherer
David Scherer, Treasurer

OMD Co-Founder & Principal, Origin Investments

Dr. David Soo
Dr. David Soo, Secretary

Vice President, JFF

The Honorable Melissa Bean
The Honorable Melissa Bean

CEO & President of Wealth Advisors, Mesirow Financial

Sameer Gadkaree
Sameer Gadkaree

President, The Institute For College Access and Success

Rose Lizarraga
Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder, President & CEO, Lysa LLC

Judy Marwick, Co-Chair
Judy Marwick

Provost Emeritus, Harper College

Constance Mixon, Secretary
Constance Mixon

Director, Urban Studies Program
Professor, Political Science, Elmhurst College

Laurie O’Shea
Laurie O’Shea

Co-Head Global Insurance Practice, Korn Ferry

Denise Poole
Denise Poole

Senior Partner, Chicago Market Leader, Aon Hewitt

Joseph Skarda
Joseph Skarda

President, Wealth Management, KeyBank

Directors Emeritus

John Atkinson
Managing Partner, Marsh
Susan Credle
Global Chief Creative Officer, FCB
Michael Episcope
Origin Investments
Michael Golden

President, Golden Mean Strategies

Stephanie Thompson
Global Chief Creative Officer, FCB
Grace Tsao-Wu
Origin Investments
Don Yannias
Founder & President, Boker Street Investment
VIEW ASSOCIATES BOARD
Thania Panopoulos, Co-Chair

Thania Panopoulos, Co-Chair

Principal, The Perissos Group

Thania Panopoulos is founder of The Perissos Group, a consultancy that specializes in designing and driving large-scale change. Thania partners with her clients’ leadership teams to drive operational improvements, growth and innovation. Before founding The Perissos Group, Thania served as Managing Director at Sandbox Industries, a venture capital firm that starts, grows and invests in early stage companies. Prior to that, she led marketing efforts for the consumer division of HSBC and built an integrated marketing communication firm. Thania started her career with GE Capital Consumer Finance, leading multiple business units throughout the U.S. and Australia.

 

Thania is committed to using the tenants of entrepreneurship to create positive social change. She is a Founder of Social Venture Partners, a venture philanthropy fund that invests in Chicago nonprofits; Founder of Friends of Hogar Rafael Ayau, a nonprofit that supports an orphanage in Guatemala; Advisor to Impact Engine, an accelerator for social entrepreneurs. Thania received her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and her BA from Boston College.

Andrew Beideman, Vice Chair

Andrew Beideman, Co-Chair

Chief Strategy Officer, Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Andy is the Chief Strategy Officer of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s workforce strategy and supports a wide range of “big bet” social impact innovation and giving activities focused on building economic opportunity in Chicago. Andy joined the Foundation as a Program Officer in 2018, and led design and launch of the Chicago Prize, a $45 million commitment to support impactful community-led development activities on the city’s south and west sides.

 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Andy was a Manager at RW Ventures LLC—a Chicago-based economic development consulting firm focused on innovative inclusive growth projects in neighborhoods and regions. Before coming to Chicago, Andy worked in management consulting for Booz Allen Hamilton and started his career the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, both in Washington, DC.

 

He received his dual BA in International Policy and German from American University and his Master of Public Policy degree from the College of William & Mary. Andy was accepted as a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow in 2021. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Andy lives in Chicago with his wife and son.

Joe DeCosmo

Joe DeCosmo, Vice-Chair

Chief Strategy Officer, Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Joe joined Enova International in 2014. As Enova’s Chief Analytics and Technology Officer, Joe leads a multi-disciplinary analytics team that provides end-to-end data and analytic services including data warehousing, business intelligence, business analytics, fraud, credit risk and marketing. His team supports the global online financial services offered by Enova International through on-demand decision-making technology and real-time predictive analytics services. Joe also oversees Enova’s technology team, leading tech operations, software engineering, IT and product management. Prior to working at Enova, he served as Director and Practice Leader of Advanced Analytics for Chicago-based West Monroe Partners. He has also held a number of executive positions at HAVI Global Solutions and the Allant Group. Joe received a B.A. in economics from Lewis University and an M.A. in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a Past-President of the Chicago Chapter of the American Statistical Association and The Chicago Association of Direct Marketing and is on the Advisory Board of the UIC College of Business Administration. Joe lives in the Chicago area with his wife and two daughters.

David Scherer

David Scherer, Treasurer

OMD Co-Founder & Principal, Origin Investments

David is principal of Origin, co-chairs the Investment Committee, and oversees investment analysis, acquisition and asset management. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and asset management. In 2006, he co-founded One Million Degrees, which has raised $20 million to help low-income community college students graduate and successfully enter the workforce. David has served as the organization’s Board Chair for the past 12 years, as the organization has grown from 30 to 1,000 students served per year. He also serves as the President of the Harvard Club of Chicago and is on the Advisory Board of Invest for Kids. 

Dr. David Soo

Dr. David Soo, Secretary

Vice President, JFF

David Soo is vice president of strategic engagements at JFF. He leads key initiatives across JFF and JFFLabs as part of JFF’s executive team, with a particular focus on building external engagement and influence, including through JFF’s Horizons summit and in-person and virtual engagements. He also oversees JFF’s Policy unit.

 

Before joining JFF, Soo was senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Under Secretary and Office of Educational Technology. He was a key architect of the department’s higher education innovation agenda during the Obama administration.  

The Honorable Melissa Bean

The Honorable Melissa Bean

CEO & President of Wealth Advisors, Mesirow Financial

Melissa Bean is president and CEO of Mesirow Financial Wealth Advisors. In keeping with Mesirow Financials’ 82 year history of growing client wealth, Melissa is focusing on developing and strengthening client and community relationships. As a member of Mesirow Financials’ Board of Directors, she contributes to developing and overseeing the strategic direction of the firm.

 

Melissa came to Mesirow following her role as Chairman, Midwest at JPMorgan Chase. She chaired the Midwest Operating Committee as senior market executive across all lines of business. Prior to joining JPMC, she served as CEO of the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

 

Following 20 years in sales and management roles in the technology industry, Bean was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois’ Eighth district, from 2005 to 2011. She was known in Congress, the White House, and the business community as a “go to” non-partisan leader for practical policy solutions. She served as a leader on the House Financial Services and Small Business Committees, and was appointed by the Speaker to represent the U.S. in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

 

Melissa earned her BA in Political Science and her DHL, Honoris Causa, from Roosevelt University and lives in Barrington, Illinois, with her husband of 35 years.

Sameer Gadkaree

Sameer Gadkaree

President, The Institute For College Access and Success

Sameer has been a leader in college access and success for over a decade. Most recently, Sameer was a Senior Program Officer at the Joyce Foundation, where he led the philanthropy’s efforts on higher education. His portfolio focused on addressing racial and economic disparities in college access, including improving the longstanding racial disparities in access to public flagship universities, supporting graduation for community college students, supporting college access for rural students through regional public universities, and access for economically disadvantaged students at selective universities.

 

Prior to his work at Joyce, Sameer was an Associate Vice Chancellor at the City Colleges of Chicago, the system of seven community colleges that serves the City of Chicago. He led the Adult Education division, with a focus on helping adults who were learning English or getting their high school equivalency get access to college level coursework. He also was on the strategy team, helping the system improve its retention and graduation outcomes.

 

Sameer has also worked at Discovery Communications, the parent company of the Discovery Channel, and at the management consultancy McKinsey and Co.

 

He has been quoted by outlets including CNN, Politico, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times, and Crain’s Chicago Business. He has testified before the House Education and Labor Committee.

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder, President & CEO, Lysa LLC

An award-winning documentary filmmaker and freelance writer, Rose’s career also includes 10 years spent developing new product and brand strategies as well as marketing and advertising campaigns at Leo Burnett, Foote, Cone & Belding, M&M/Mars and other small businesses. More recently, she worked as a writer/editor for Modern Luxury Inc., publishers of magazines such as CS and Angeleno. Rose is a founding member of the Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, former Board Vice President of the Fairy Godmother Foundation, and currently serves on the Chicago committee for Human Rights Watch.

Judy Marwick, Co-Chair

Judy Marwick

Provost Emeritus, Harper College

Dr. Judith Marwick served as Provost at Harper College for nine years until her retirement in July, 2019 after 31 years in higher education. At Harper, her responsibilities included leadership for all of the academic, student support, and enrollment management areas of the College.

 

Dr. Marwick’s career includes teaching and administrative positions at several Illinois institutions. Dr. Marwick began her career as a mathematics professor and subsequently served in administrative roles for the past 19 years. Her leadership and research interests include such student success initiatives as multiple measures for student placement, high school/college partnerships, and a case-managed academic advising structure. Dr. Marwick has been actively involved with One Million Degrees and has recently testified before the House of Representatives Higher Education Committee concerning innovations to improve equity in higher education.

Constance Mixon, Secretary

Constance Mixon

Director, Urban Studies Program Professor, Political Science, Elmhurst College

Dr. Constance Mixon is a founding board member of One Million Degrees. At Elmhurst College, she is the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. She is also an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Urban Studies Program. Prior to joining Elmhurst College in the spring of 2010, she taught Political and Social Sciences at the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) for over eleven years. While at CCC, she served as Dean of Instruction in addition to various other administrative assignments. In 2001, Dr. Mixon was nominated by her students, and named the Illinois Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

 

Dr. Mixon is the author of several journal articles, book chapters, and is the co-editor of Twenty-First Century Chicago, which investigates the social, economic, political, and governmental challenges facing Chicago. Dr. Mixon frequently provides political commentary and analysis for local, national, and international media outlets.

Laurie O’Shea

Laurie O’Shea

Co-Head Global Insurance Practice, Korn Ferry

Laurie A. O’Shea is the Global Sector Leader of Korn Ferry’s Insurance Practice and the Co-Vice Chairman of their Diversity and Inclusion Council. She is also a member of the Board & CEO Services Practice based in the Chicago office. Her work includes supporting clients globally across Advisory, Executive and Professional Search services. Prior to Korn Ferry, Ms. O’Shea worked at a global search firm, where she was Global Head of the Insurance Practice, as well as a member of the CEO & Board and Inclusion Practices.

 

Laurie has worked with Boards, CEOs and senior-level executives for more than 30 years, recruiting and consulting on a variety of issues. She partners with organizations to help develop and identify leaders positioned for the new age requirements of change, growth, and reconstruction. Laurie is a former member of both the Chicago Finance Exchange and Illinois Venture Capital Association. Laurie received her undergraduate degree from Beloit College and her master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Denise Poole

Denise Poole

Senior Partner, Chicago Market Leader, Aon Hewitt

Denise is an Enterprise Client Leader at Aon. She is responsible for enabling faster growth for a select group of global clients by delivering data-driven insights and solutions around Risk, Retirement and Health. In this role, Denise partners with executive leadership to explore critical business issues and define methods of unlocking growth and delivering more value to stakeholders.

Joseph Skarda

Joseph Skarda

President, Wealth Management, KeyBank

Joe Skarda is the President of Wealth Management at KeyBank. Joe leads a team of Regional Directors managing the CBWM business in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. He manages $202B in assets and more than 10,000 cross-functional team members. Prior to leading the division, Joe was Regional Director of Banking and Wealth Management and was tasked with leading the reorganization of the firm’s Chicago region. Just as Joe has endeavored throughout his career to develop and mentor his team members, and to ensure that they are equipped for success, he is committed to doing the same for the underserved in the community. He is co-chair of The Fellowship Initiative (TFI), founded by JPMorgan Chase to provide young men of color with intensive academic support, college preparation, professional development, and mentorship. Additionally, he is a board member of the Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD) for JPMorgan Chase in Illinois. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and International Business from St. Mary’s University (MN). He holds FINRA licenses Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 63, and 65.

David Scherer

David Scherer, Treasurer

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

David is principal of Origin, co-chairs the Investment Committee, and oversees investment analysis, acquisition and asset management. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and asset management. In 2006, he co-founded One Million Degrees, which has raised $20 million to help low-income community college students graduate and successfully enter the workforce. David has served as the organization’s Board Chair for the past 12 years, as the organization has grown from 30 to 1,000 students served per year. He also serves as the President of the Harvard Club of Chicago and is on the Advisory Board of Invest for Kids.  

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder & President & CEO, Lysa LLC

An award-winning documentary filmmaker and freelance writer, Rose’s career also includes 10 years spent developing new product and brand strategies as well as marketing and advertising campaigns at Leo Burnett, Foote, Cone & Belding, M&M/Mars and other small businesses.  More recently, she worked as a writer/editor for Modern Luxury Inc., publishers of magazines such as CS and Angeleno.  Rose graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with dual degrees in English and Political Science.  She is a founding member of the Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, former Board Vice President of the Fairy Godmother Foundation, and currently serves on the Chicago committee for Human Rights Watch.

Michael B Golden

Michael B. Golden

One Million Degrees Co-Founder 

A former national award-winning broadcast journalist, Michael Golden has also served as a political campaign manager and communications strategist for U.S. Presidential, Senate and Congressional races. Michael is a fellow at the British-American Project and the Open Society Institute. In 1999, Michael’s investigative and public affairs reporting for NBC earned him honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the AP, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2011, Michael co-founded Newsbound, Inc., a media and software company based in San Francisco, CA. He is also a co-founder of the Complete the Degree back-to-college initiative in Chicago, Illinois. Michael serves on the board of the ADL and on the governing board of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, as well as the Illinois Commission to Eliminate Poverty. He received his B.A. from Indiana University, and his M.S. in Public Services Management from DePaul University.