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Center on Halsted's team includes more than 75 professional staff members with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all dedicated to building and strengthening the LGBTQ Community.
The following list is organized by department, and includes employee name, gender pronoun, title, and extension (if available).
Please feel free to contact us at anytime by calling our front desk at 773.472.6469. If you are interested in joining our team, please visit our Careers & Internships page.
Modesto Tico Valle (he/him), Chief Executive Officer, EXT 250
Modesto Tico Valle is the Chief Executive Officer of Center on Halsted, the most comprehensive community center in the Midwest dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Chicago.
A native of Chicago, Valle is a longtime community activist and organizer. He founded the Chicago Chapter NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1990 and was instrumental in bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the National Mall in 1996. He has served as both a volunteer and staff member at a number of Chicago-area non-profits including Chicago House, Test Positive Awareness Network and Open Hand Chicago, where he served as the organization's first Volunteer Services Director.
Valle was named CEO of Center on Halsted in 2007, where he oversaw the opening of the 175,000 square foot community center. Since taking the helm, Center on Halsted has grown into a full-fledged community center with an annual operating budget of more than $7 million. Under his leadership, more than 1,400 community members visit the Center every day. Patrons participate in the wide variety of programs and services offered ranging from volleyball, cooking classes and yoga to HIV testing, group therapy and job training. Valle was instrumental in bringing several landmark efforts to the Center, such as the first LGBTQ-friendly affordable housing project for Seniors and the nation’s first LGBT clinical psychology internship with Northwestern University. In the spring of 2016, Valle lead the launch of the Center’s Youth Housing Initiative, as well as the fall 2017 launch of the Get to Zero campaign.
Valle attended DePaul University and Notre Dame's Seminary School. In addition, he holds certificates in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He was recently appointed to the CenterLink Board of Directors and has served on the board of the NAMES Project Foundation, Equality Education Project, City of Chicago LGBT Health Council, Illinois Violence Prevention Authority Board, City of Chicago Employment Task Force, Welcoming Committee NATO, Illinois HIV/AIDS Advisory Council, Board Member of Horizons Community Services and the Chicago Children's Choir. In recognition of his work, Valle has been named Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine, inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, honored by the national NAMES Project Foundation and the Norman Bobins Leadership Award and he received a Red Ribbon Leadership Award from the State of Illinois.
Susan Heatherly (she/her), Director of Human Resources, EXT 264
Susan Heatherly, Human Resource Director, is responsible for all human resource functions for Center on Halsted. Her area of responsibility includes recruitment and staffing, employee relations, benefits, compensation, learning and development, leadership development and provides strategic leadership to our senior managers. An accomplished professional, she is spearheading our shared leadership program to transform our culture to align with our collaborative vision.
Susan has 16 years of human resources experience in small to large organizations. She has worked in various industries including healthcare, nonprofit, staffing, telecommunications, manufacturing and distribution. Her skills includes talent acquisition (recruiting) and management, training, process improvement, performance management, career development, diversity program development, employee relations, succession planning, benefits, compensation, contract negotiation, payroll, cost savings, safety and compliance issues for salaried and hourly employees. She has worked in both union and non-union organizations.
Most recently Susan directed the Human Resources for St. Mary’s Home, a 5-star 76-bed nursing home for the elderly poor with 115 employees in Chicago, where she successfully developed HR policies and resolved employee relation issues. She implemented an employee retention program and revenue generating initiative with the IL WorkNet Center through the Illinois Dept. of Employment Security (IDES) to secure On-the-Job Training (OJT) funds for the Home.
A native of Ohio, Susan earned a Master of Education degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota and a Business Administration degree in Finance from Ursuline College in Cleveland, Ohio. Through Ursuline’s reciprocal relationship, she received a Minor in Political Science from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
In addition, Susan volunteers with the Illinois Worknet Center to provide training, development and job readiness skills for the unemployed. She loves cooking, reality television and international travel. Her most recent trips have included St. Croix, St. Kitts, Aruba and Egypt. She also enjoys yoga, Pilates and cycling. Creative and talented Susan is known for her homemade greeting cards and one-of-a-kind recipes.
Kim Fountain (she/her), Chief Administrative Officer, EXT 421
Kim, previously Executive Director of the Pride Center of Vermont, has spent nearly twenty years working in the LGBTQ movement. In her various roles, she has taken to the streets in protest with other queer activists; provided direct services to LGBTQ survivors of violence; successfully advocated with government agencies for LGBTQ full inclusion; worked on LGBTQ legislative campaigns; has been published in academic journals and community based reports on LGBTQ community building and issues of violence; and helped to represent LGBTQ concerns on numerous government and community based task forces and committees. Kim is a cultural anthropologist who focuses on issues of violence within and against the LGBTQ communities.
Brice Kanzer (she/her), Chief Development Officer, EXT 479
Brice Kanzer (she/her) brings over 13 years of nonprofit fundraising experience to the Center on Halsted as Chief Development Officer. With a career spanning museums, social service and higher education, she is thrilled to be part of a vibrant team committed to serving the LGBTQ community in Chicago.
Brice most recently served as Senior Director of Development at Columbia College Chicago, leading fundraising initiatives and major gift development for various departments across the college. Prior to Columbia, Brice managed the special events and major gift programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, raising over $6 million in a single year - the most successful year for the organization in more than a decade. Brice is a Chicago native and holds a B.A. from Purdue University. She is an avid reader, a lover of true crime, and an animal enthusiast. She lives with her two dogs in Rogers Park.
Jim Klein (he/him), Chief Technology and Operations Officer, EXT 246
Jim attended Buena Vista University, interested in both Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Journalism and Television Production, and Computer Science. After graduating, Jim took a year off to explore photography and travelling before moving to DeKalb, IL where he attended Northern Illinois University and taught classes in Media Production while working on a Masters degree in Communication Studies.
In 1995, Jim moved to Chicago and began a career with Travel 2000, a travel specialty store where he served as a store manager and corporate trainer. In 1999, Jim turned down a promotion to become district manager when he learned of a career opportunity at Horizons Community Services. In March of 1999, Jim joined Horizons Community Services as Volunteer Coordinator and Information Technology (IT) Manager. Over the years, Jim assisted in several transformative initiatives for the organization, actively engaged in the growth of a small, grass roots social service agency into Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ Community Center.
Over his tenure, Jim has served in a variety of progressive capacities and now serves as Chief Technology and Operations Officer, responsible for technology and building operations including infrastructure, security, reception, and operations staff at multiple sites.
Editha Paras (she/her), Chief Program Officer, EXT 412
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Rick Storer (he/him), Senior Director of Finance, EXT 482
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Paul Helfen (he/him), Director of Operations and Rentals, EXT 476
Keith Butler, (he/him), Executive Assistant, EXT 430
Scott Fiero, (he/him), Operations Manager
Patrick Harms, (he/him), Operations Coordinator
Marcus Watt, (he/him), Operations Coordinator
China Reid, (she/her), Operations Support Staff
Tom Spinella (he/him), Receptionist
A native of southwestern Pennsylvania, Tom graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Theatre Arts. He worked in theatre in cities on the east coast through the 70's and 80's and came to Chicago in 1983. While in Chicago, Tom was a substitute teacher in the public schools, an actor-waiter, an office temp and eventually came to work at Lorraine Greenberg and Associates as a legal assistant. Shortly after the Center was opened, Tom came to work here as an Operations Coordinator.
Ethel Blanchard (she/her), Receptionist
Nanica Brown (she/her), Receptionist
Nelli Vahter, (she/her), Receptionist
Jerry Harris, (he/him), Receptionist Support Staff
Aster Gilbert (she/they), Manager of the Training & Public Education Institute, EXT 418
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About AVP: The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) at Center on Halsted is comprised of a team of behavioral health clinicians specializing in working with LGBTQ survivors of violence. Our team is comprised of Social Workers, Professional Counselors, and Behavioral Health Interns with a combined 20 plus years of experience working with survivors of violence.
We offer a collaborative, LGBTQ affirming, and trauma-informed approach with the goal of increasing self-knowledge and expression of personal power. The AVP team is trained in a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy allowing us to tailor counseling to meet each person’s unique needs and strengths. During treatment we emphasize finding relevant coping skills and explore current patterns of behavior and thinking to identify personalized solutions.
Our team has extensive experience providing trauma informed services to the LGBTQ community. We can assist with issues including anxiety, depression, interpersonal communication, healing from past trauma, exploration of gender identity and sexuality, racial and ethnic identity, and managing anger.
You may receive assistance after violence by contacting our LGBTQ Violence Resource Line: 773.871.CARE (2273) or avp@centeronhalsted.org or visit our Anti-Violence Project page.
Ing Swenson (he/him), Director of Behavioral Health, EXT 267
Ing Swenson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor specializing in working with the Trans/GNC/NB communities. He received his Master’s in Social Work at Jane Addams School of Social Work in 2002 and his training in addictions in Seattle, Washington in 2011. His clinical approach is LGBTQ affirmative, strength based, client centered, harm reduction, informed consent, and trauma informed.
Ashley Molin (she/her), Associate Director of Behavioral Health, EXT 441
Dr. Ashley Molin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in working with the queer, kink, and polyamorous/non-monogamous communities.
She received her doctorate from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2014. She is also certified as a Mental Health First Aid trainer. Her clinical approach is focused on understanding how individuals make sense of their contexts and identities, with a particular focus on meaning making and the limitations we all face as humans moving through the world.
Liliana Gomez (she/her), Staff Therapist, EXT 451
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Gayle Thompson (she/her), Director of Cyber Center, EXT 467 Gayle is a Chicago native and long-term ally and activist for the LGBTQ community. Many call her “Mama Gayle” because of her warm demeanor and eagerness to give needed motherly advice, especially to our youth patrons. Gayle came to Center on Halsted in 2002 as a volunteer, and since then has worked in nearly every department; including reception and operations, development and finance, volunteer management, the HIV department, and even executive assistant to the CEO. Gayle started working in the computer lab as the class instructor in August 2007 and then became the full time Manager of the Cyber Center in October 2012. Prior to working at Center on Halsted, she worked as development assistant and volunteer manager for Open Hands Chicago, now known as Vital Bridges. Gayle completed her Masters of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University in 2017.
Kyle Petersen (he/him), Culinary Arts Director, EXT 422
Kyle joined Center on Halsted in January of 2020 after spending 2 years at Inspiration Corporation. There he started as the Meals Program Manager, overseeing the Café in Uptown before being promoted to Director of Social Enterprise for Inspiration Kitchens located in Garfield Park. Prior to his work in non-profits, Kyle spent nearly 20 years working in the hospitality industry, gaining experience at a diverse group of establishments including NAHA, Ceres’ Table and Fulton Market Kitchen. He studied Culinary Arts at Kendall College and completed a 3-month internship at Fedora, a fine dining seafood restaurant in Lyon, France. His pivot into non-profits was accelerated by firsthand experience seeing the gap in food security and culinary skills training.
Cindy Mojica (she/her), Culinary Arts Instructor, EXT 406
Chef Cindy Mojica has over 16 years of professional culinary experience including work as a server, kitchen manager, brunch chef, sous chef and pastry chef. Chef Cindy was the Executive Chef of Research and Development of Direct Food Service, she created recipes for mass-scale production and dishes for manufacturing, overseeing application, managed a research team, and conducted extensive research of world cuisines. While interning for the nationally acclaimed America’s Test Kitchen in Boston, MA, Cindy worked on recipe testing and development, media projects, and culinary science projects which were published in ATK’s magazines, books, and web series. She taught culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago and today is the Culinary Arts Instructor for Center on Halsted’s Silver Fork culinary arts and job readiness program.
Susan Kimmons (she/her), Community Programs and Senior Services Support Staff, EXT 475
Brenna Quinn (she/her), Manager of Foundation and Government Relations, EXT 420
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Ben Sprunger (he/him), Manager of Individual Giving, EXT 401
Ben (he/him) has over six years of experience in non-profit fundraising, most recently with About Face Theatre (AFT) – Chicago’s premier LGBTQ+ arts and outreach organization - where he served as both Development Director and Director of Institutional Giving.
In these roles, Ben was responsible for raising 71% of AFT’s contributed income annually through fundraising campaigns, special events, foundation and government grants, and corporate sponsorships. Additionally, Ben has worked with over 25 local theatre companies as a performer and has been seen on episodes of Will & Grace and Chicago Fire.
Joey McDonald (he/him), Manager of Events & Volunteers, EXT 454
Joey began his time with Center on Halsted in December of 2018. Initially hired as Executive Project Manager to the CEO, he moved to the Development Team in June 2019 as the Manager of Events and Volunteers. His responsibilities include planning and execution of various Center events, as well as managing and training a volunteer staff of several hundred community members and allies. Prior to coming to Center on Halsted, Joey worked at Back 2 School Illinois coordinating the distribution of school supplies to underserved children across the state, and Equality Illinois working for the equal rights of the LGBT people in Illinois. His leadership and community service work has been acknowledged by several organizations, including The Obama Foundation, the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, and the Olympus Foundation.
Sean Puglisi (he/him), Manager of Development Services, EXT 413
Rick Storer (he/him), Senior Director of Finance, EXT 482
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Bernardo Portu (he/him), Senior Staff Accountant, EXT 462
James Davies (he/him), Billing Coordinator, EXT 464
Lydia Farmer (she/her), Finance Support Staff, EXT 448
Jill Dispenza (she/her), Director of HIV & STD HUB/Hotline Resources, EXT 240
Jill joined Center on Halsted in 2003. In 2005, she became Director of the State of Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline and in 2008, Jill became the Director of HIV Testing & Prevention and developed, launched, and directed the Center's successful HIV Testing & Prevention Program. In 2017, Jill was promoted to Director of HIV/AIDS & STD Services and in 2020, she helped to design and launch the innovative Chicagoland HIV Resource HUB.
She was appointed by Mayor Emanuel to the Chicago Area HIV Integrated Services Council (CAHISC) and by Mayor Lightfoot to the Chicago Syphilis Task Force. She is also a member of the State of Illinois HIV Integrated Planning Council, the Illinois PrEP Working Group, Chicago Department of Public Health Meningococcal Committee and Hepatitis A Response Team, Illinois Get to Zero Planning Council and Work Groups, Chicagoland Service Providers Council, and was a founding member of the Chicago Bisexual Health Task Force. Jill received her Master's degree from The Juilliard School in New York City.
Carmen Corredor (she/her), Manager of HIV & STD HUB/Hotline Resources, EXT 493
Carmen Luz Corredor (she/her) began as a bilingual (English/Spanish) Rapid Resource Responder at Center on Halsted in September 2020. She currently serves as Community Advisory Board Member at Northwestern Medicine's Gender Pathways program. Previous to her board membership, Carmen has supported different social groups such as the Queer Non-Monogamy Baddies, a discussion and support group for queer folks-of-color in the Chicagoland area to delve into topics around ethical non-monogamy.
She is also one-third of the ongoing fundraising collective, Trans Equity Alliance (TEA). Through fundraising talent showcases, TEA raises funds for trans-led non-profit organizations creating tangible change in their local sphere. Carmen is passionate about radical sexual health education and reallocation of funds through mutual aid. She has received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Ro Truong (he/him), Data Specialist, EXT 410
Taurean "TC" Crawford (he/him), Rapid Resource Responder, EXT 492
Amye Greene (she/her), Rapid Resource Responder, EXT 423
J. Saxon-Maldonado (they/them), Rapid Resource Responder, EXT 415
Amparo Zavala (she/they), Rapid Resource Responder, EXT 405
Ofelia Carrillo (she/her), Health Educator, EXT 440
Damian Lee (he/they), Health Educator, EXT 496
Jose Hernandez Lopez (he/him), Health Educator, EXT 424
Saanti Martin (she/her), Health Educator, EXT 489
Angelina Del Valle (she/her), Health Educator, EXT 438
Erica Gafford (she/her), Director of HIV Testing & Prevention Services, EXT 477
Erica Gafford joined the HIV Services staff at Center on Halsted in 2013. She has been working in the arena of HIV/STI prevention in Chicago for over 15 years, holding a variety of roles. These roles cover a wide range, including Health Educator/HIV tester, program administrator, research study coordinator and activist. In her current role as Director of HIV/STD Testing & Prevention Services, she is responsible for the oversight of HIV/HCV testing, PrEP Navigation and Linkage to Care services.
Erica Gafford has served on the Executive Committee for the Black Treatment Advocates Network since 2017, and currently serves as Chair – a role she has held since March of 2019. She is also a member of the ViiV Government Relations - Medicaid Policy RoundTable and the UIC – Project WISH Advisory Board. Through her many years of work in HIV/STI prevention, Erica Gafford has gained key insights into the prevention and health promotion needs of communities most impacted by these issues. Most important is the need to tailor prevention efforts and programs to address the specific concerns of these communities in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.
Andy Foxhoven (he/him), Data Specialist Manager, EXT 499
Mel Reynolds (), Care Coordinator, EXT 455
Nate Bentley (he/him), Health Educator, EXT 409
Kitch Ferolito (they/them), Health Educator, EXT 425
Oliver Levy (he/him), Health Educator, EXT 491
Katherine Ordoñez (she/her), Bi-Lingual Health Educator, EXT 433
Maya Taylor (she/they), Health Educator, EXT 407
Edlira Simoni (she/her), IT Specialist, EXT 468
Steve Kauffman (he/him), Director of Communications, EXT 260
Steve comes to Center on Halsted after a diverse career in corporate and agency public relations. His experience largely has focused on media relations, corporate reputation management, and crisis communications. He has worked with Fortune 50 companies, public and private higher education institutions, non-profits, and community organizations.
Steve co-chaired the first LGBTQ marketing practice launched by a top global communications firm, FleishmanHillard Inc., which represented client programs ranging from Ernst & Young, Kodak, and AT&T to Olivia Cruises and Community Marketing Inc. He has been part of the Chicago LGBTQ community since moving from Texas in 2000, where he honed his love of spicy foods and Tex-Mex cuisine. He lives in East Lakeview with his pitbull/bulldog mix rescue, Luella. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and theater and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary public relations, both from Texas Tech University.
Britta Larson (she/her), Director of Senior Services, EXT 445
Britta Larson is the Senior Services Director at Center on Halsted where she is responsible for overseeing the older adult programs and managing the nation’s first homesharing program designed for LGBT older adults. Prior to coming to Center on Halsted Britta worked at a senior living community in the areas of social services and marketing. She is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from North Park University. She was recently appointed by the governor to the Illinois Council on Aging.
Todd Williams (he/him), Senior Services Manager, EXT 426
Delilah Orizaba (she/her), Senior Services Clinical Case Manager, EXT 449
Elwin August, (he/him), Senior Services Support Staff
David Biele (he/him), Director of Youth Services, EXT 437
David Biele has been with Center on Halsted since 2017. A lifelong advocate for young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth, David has a BA in American Culture from Northwestern University and a Master of Nonprofit Management from DePaul University. David has more than 25 years of experience across the social sector at nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, including 15 years as a teacher in Washington, DC and Chicago public schools. For the past decade he has managed educational, arts, youth development, and LGBTQ affirming programs for young people at community organizations across Chicago and Cook County.
Alton Dueks (he/him), Youth Case Manager, EXT 459
Luke Romesberg (he/him), Director of Youth Homelessness Services, EXT 431
Luis Martinez (he/him), AVP Youth Case Worker Youth Housing, EXT 408
Mateo Villanuevaz (he/him), Youth Care Coordinator,
Chitra Iyer (she/her), Research Assistant, EXT 485
James Foran (he/him), Research Assistant, EXT 480
Julia Napolitano (she/her), Research Study Assistant, EXT 432
Justin Franz (he/him), Clinical Research Project Manager, EXT 456
Yelena Pearson (she/her | they/them), Research Assistant, EXT 403
Ross Baiers (he/him | they/them), Research Project Manager, EXT 266
Saf Al-Salaita (they/them), Research Study Assistant, EXT 427
Jo Pazol (they/them), Research Study Assistant, EXT 432
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| Copyright © Center on Halsted | 3656 N. Halsted Street | Chicago, IL 60613 | 773.472.6469 |