While taking time off from medical school in 2003, Karen took a part-time job tutoring at-risk teens, an experience that ignited her passion for youth development. Realizing there was a need in the community for a safe place that youth could call their own and get the support and guidance they need, Karen founded Project: VISION with a few fellow volunteers. In 2009, she assumed the role of Executive Director on a volunteer basis, managing many facets of operations including administration, fundraising, and board development. However, her favorite part of this experience continues to be working directly with the students whether it be tutoring, teaching ACT, or doing service projects alongside them. She believes that positive after school programs go a long way in helping kids succeed, and she looks forward to helping PV continue to grow in order to bring these programs to even more students in the coming years.

Sandy has a degree in Public Relations/Advertising and Psychology from DePaul University. She joined Project: VISION in 2013 as Development Intern and has since taken on the role of Director of Development and now the Director of Strategic Initiatives. She uses her past experiences with the Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations to help Project: VISION secure the resources it needs to support its growing youth programs. Sandy’s role also allows her to work directly with PV’s youth, watch their growth firsthand, and better tell their stories. She is proud to be able to provide students an important part of growing up: chances to learn something new every day.

Elvina graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2012. During her 4 years working at the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Elvina developed a passion for helping the community. After working at the Chamber, she realized the impact that nonprofits have within the community. She joined Project: VISION in 2018 because she felt that her experience at the Chinatown Chamber was meaningful and that it could be used towards her position as the Operations Manager at PV. Elvina is excited to be able to watch the PV youth not only grow academically, but to become leaders of their generation.

Tammy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and joins us as a 2020 graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously, Tammy has worked at the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and Spurlock Museum. Her work-study as a Special Collections Assistant fortified her desire to continue serving the public beyond the academic and artistic community. As a first-generation graduate and former ESL student, Tammy believes current and future generations of students should be able to attain higher education and upwards mobility without barriers of affordability or accessibility. At Project: VISION, she looks forward to developing programs and improving her Cantonese to bridge students and their communities closer towards their personal, academic, and professional goals.