Board of Directors
Chicago State Foundation’s Board of Directors, composed of business and civic leaders from the Greater Chicagoland Region, provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance to guide the Foundation’s work. Directors serve as trusted advisors to the Executive Director and as ambassadors of the Foundation and University.
John C. Robak
Board Chair
Board Chair
Lafayette Kyle Ford
Board Vice Chair
Board Vice Chair
Senior Financial Advisor | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Joseph Cancila, Jr.
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Partner | Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, LLP
Leslie Anderson-Rutland
Board Treasurer
Board Treasurer
National Head of U.S. Wealth
Management Customer and
Employee Strategy | BMO Financial Group
Erin Inman
Memeber at Large, Executive Committee
Memeber at Large, Executive Committee
President & CEO | Primera Engineers, Ltd.
Yemi Akisanya
Vice President, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and People Experience | Axon
Andre Baker
Market Director, Banking |
JP Morgan Chase
JP Morgan Chase
Dorothy Capers
Senior Vice President & General Counsel | Xylem, Inc
Spring Capers
Owner & CEO |
Spring’s Place - The Hair Studio
Donna Coaxum
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary | OSI Group, LLC
Eric Dushime
Senior Information Technology Consultant | McKinsey & Company
Kristin Finney-Cooke
Managing Director, Multi-Asset Solutions | J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Kimberly Evans
EVP, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion & Social Impact | Northern Trust
Jeanne M. Gills
Partner | Foley & Lardner, LLC
Michael T. Harris
President | Beverly Bank & Trust
Nick Hnatiw
Partner & Chief Technology Officer | Side Channel Security, Ltd
Katrina Jackson
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Talent Management | Adtalem Global Education
Jason Mercer
Principal, CASTUS Due Diligence | Cleveland Avenue
Peggy Montes
President | Bronzeville Children's Museum
Ex Officio Members
Zaldwaynaka Scott
President | Chicago State University
Melanie Sillas
Executive Director | Chicago State Foundation
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2025
Chicago State University 
All Rights Reserved
9501 S. King Drive Chicago, IL 60628 
(773) 995-2000
(773) 995-2000
