Our Board

TLP’s board of directors provides agency oversight and leads fundraising activities, including the annual “Dream a Bigger Dream” gala. The board has four standing committees, executive, finance, development, and programs. Beyond these committees, board members also lead various strategic initiatives identified each year.

Chair: Gerald L. Pauling, II

Gerald joined the board in 2001 and was elected to the chairmanship in 2005. Prior to his current post, he served as the board’s secretary, and as co-chair of the Gala. He is a partner at the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, and was recently selected as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers in Illinois” by Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Chicago Daily Law Bulletin/Chicago Lawyer. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Boardroom Bound, Jackson Park Hospital Foundation, and Christ Temple Baptist Church.

Vice-Chair: Bruce Pedigo

Bruce joined the board in 1995. In addition to serving as the vice-chair of the board, he is also on the Chairman’s Annual Golf Outing committee. Bruce has also chaired the annual Gala. He is the managing director of Veratect. Bruce is a member of the Iowa State Alumni Association and ACORD.

Secretary: Brenna Berman

Brenna joined Teen Living Programs in 2000, serving as the chair of the TLP Associates. In 2006, she was elected to the board of directors. She has been active on the Gala committee, and currently oversees the programs committee of the board and is the board lead for Proof Positive Initiative, the agency’s program to drive strategic planning through client outcome tracking. Brenna works for IBM as a Global Solutions Manager.

Treasurer: Michelle Zahler

Michelle joined the board in 2004, and served as the chair of the program committee and member of the finance committee prior to becoming treasurer in 2005. Michelle is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is a member of the American Institution of CPAs, the Illinois Society of CPAs, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and St. Mary’s Church Riverside.

Director: Billy Dexter

Billy joined the board in 2005, and serves as the chair of the Chairman’s Annual Golf Outing committee and as the board lead for Project Youth Works, a transitional jobs program for youth. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, National Sales Network, and board member of Diversity Best Practices. Billy is a partner at Heidrick & Struggles.

Director: Jeffrey K. Dorsey

Jeff began his association with Teen Living Programs in the 1990s, and joined the board in 2001. He serves on the marketing and communications committee, and recently chaired the Dream a Bigger Dream Gala committee. He is a member of Purdue University’s and Kellogg School of Management’s Alumni Associations, the National Black MBA Association, and the Apostolic Church of God. Jeff is the Vice-President of Technology at the Chicago Tribune Company.

Director: John Eck

John joined the board in 2008. He is president of First Chicago Bank & Trust and First Chicago Bancorp. First Chicago Bank and Trust was named corporate partner of the year at the 2009 Dream a Bigger Dream Gala.

Director: Cheryl A. Harris

Cheryl joined the board in 2008, and serves as the chair of the annual giving committee. She is a senior partner at Accenture and is the Americas Delivery Lead for BPO Procurement Services. In addition to her role in developing and executing procurement strategy, she is an executive sponsor for Accenture’s African-American Interest Group.

Director: Richard A. Kuzmar

Rich joined the board in 2001, and serves on the finance and annual giving committees. In the past he has served in various leadership roles, including chair. Rich is a member of Financial Executives Institute and the Illinois CPA Society. He is the chief financial officer at Greeley and Hansen.

Director: Paul McHugh

Paul joined the board in 2000. He serves on the marketing and communications committee and oversees the capital project team. He is a director of Security State Bank and a member of Unity in Chicago Church. Paul is sole proprietor of McHugh Development, a real estate development firm.

Director: Jim Plunkard

Jim joined the board in 2008, and is the chair of the marketing and communications committee. He is a partner at Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the firm that helped provide pro-bono architectural and design services for TLP’s new Belfort House residence.

Director: Llevelyn Rhone

Llevelyn joined the board in 2004, and has served as vice-chair. He is a consultant and owner of A2 Services, LLC. Llevelyn is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, vice president of Martin Temple Community Foundation, treasurer of Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, and board member of Reading is Fundamental Chicago.

Director: Mary Lou Mulvihill Skalkos

Mary Lou joined the board in 2008, and serves as the chair of the development and fundraising committee as well as the co-chair of the Dream a Bigger Dream Gala. She is a member of the Community Nursing Service and Glenbard West Boosters, and is actively involved with her alma mater, Notre Dame. Mary Lou is the president of Profile Flooring.

Director: Dolores Thibodeaux

Dolores has been a board member since 2005. She serves on the finance and annual giving committees and is active in government relations for the agency. She is a member of the Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church and Spoonful of Hope. Dolores is CEO of AllPoints Security.