THE OMD Associate Board

a group of young professionals sit around a table with their laptops.

Make a difference. Grow your network. Support Chicago’s community college students.

The One Million Degrees Associate Board is a community of emerging leaders committed to educational equity and career opportunity for Chicago’s community college scholars.

 

As a member, you’ll support OMD’s mission through volunteerism, fundraising, and events, all while building your leadership skills and professional network.

WHY JOIN?

01

Support Scholars

Mentor students, volunteer at events, and help prepare scholars for successful careers.

 

02

Grow Your Impact

Use your skills to plan events, raise funds, and connect OMD with new corporate and community partners.

03

Build Your Network

Join a diverse group of professionals passionate about education, equity, and opportunity.

What You’ll Do

01

Career Exposure Opportunities

Encourage students to explore different career options and identify pathways by hosting or taking part in OMD events like: 

  • Career Exploration Panels 
  • Speed Networking 
  • Wisdom in the Workplace  
01

Engage with OMD Scholars

Attend at least 3 events each year—like speed networking, career panels, or Scholar Development Sessions—to engage directly with OMD students.

02

Lead with Purpose

Join one of three committees—Program Engagement, Fundraising & Sponsorship, or Membership & Governance—and help shape the Associate Board’s impact.

03

Be an OMD Ambassador

Promote OMD’s mission in your personal and professional circles to grow awareness, partnerships, and support.

Want to learn more?

Come to our next Associate Board Happy Hour to network and meet OMD staff.

Ready to get involved? Fill out our Associate Board application below and we'll be in touch.

I am interested in joining the OMD Associate Board!








Statement of Interest






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.