Our Team
OUR STAFF OUR BOARD WORK WITH US
Our staff members bring diversity in experience and skills, but share two qualities. They have a genuine appreciation for the unique personalities of our participants and a commitment to helping them succeed every day, and throughout their lives.
Lisa D'Angelo
Executive Director
Lisa D’Angelo is new to Our Place, coming from the nonprofit consulting world where she advised local organizations in fundraising and marketing. After working in the corporate world, Lisa transitioned into nonprofit work, finding a passion for building relationships and raising funds to support the many amazing organizations in the Chicagoland area. Lisa has a BS (Fordham University) and an MBA in finance (New York University), attended the International University of Japan, and received a nonprofit management certificate from Northwestern’s Center for Nonprofit Management. Lisa lives in Wilmette with her family.
Contact Lisa -
ldangelo@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Aidan Guimond
Program Leader
Aidan started as a volunteer for Our Place in the winter of 2016. When a part time position opened at the beginning of 2017, Aidan jumped at the opportunity and soon his part time job became a full time one. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and majored in psychology and minored in educational psychology and human relations.
Contact Aidan -
aguimond@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Catherine Hattendorf
Program Leader
Catherine has 10 years of experience in Special Education. She has volunteered with individuals with disabilities since high school and has worked for NSSRA. She received her BS in Special Education from Northern Illinois University after which she worked in Virginia at an adult day program as a counselor. Catherine recently moved back to the northern suburbs and is very excited to be part of the Our Place team.
Contact Catherine -
chattendorf@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Sterling Humphrey
Program Leader
Sterling has been working with young adults with developmental disabilities for over 15 years. Before coming to Our Place in 2011, he worked as a teacher’s aide at New Trier High School. He attended Loyola Academy High School where he played football and basketball and received an Associate’s Degree from Grand Canyon University.
Contact Sterling -
shumphrey@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Brittany Mussen
Program Leader
Brittany is a recent graduate of Illinois State University where she studied Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Children’s Studies. She also has a background in event development including ISU's Up ‘till Dawn, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A former intern for Autism Speaks, Brittany worked with individuals with developmental disabilities in both high school and college and is excited to be part of Our Place.
Contact Brittany -
bmussen@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Cindy O'Donnell
Program Manager
Cindy O’Donnell has extensive experience in special education. She was the Chairperson of the Special Education Department at Schaumburg High School, where she worked for over 30 years. She has a BS in Special Education and an MS in Educational Administration. She retired from teaching a year ago and Our Place is thrilled that Cindy has chosen to return to work with us
Contact Cindy-
co'donnell@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Sara O'Keefe
Program Leader
Sara joined Our Place in October 2016. She has an MSW and BSW from Loyola and James Madison University, respectively. Sara brings a wealth of experience to her job at Our Place. She has worked in camps for children with autism, managed community relations and even helped with fundraisers in previous positions and internships.
Contact Sara-
so’keefe@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Therese O'Toole
Program Leader
Therese has her BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana and her MSW from Loyola University. She has extensive experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, as a case worker and counselor. She is certified as a QIPD, TCI and SBIRT.
Contact Therese-
to'toole@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Michelle Patzke
Administration Manager
Michelle joined the Our Place staff in 2013 after spending over 10 years working as a lawyer before beginning a career for a hedge fund in Chicago. That work did not satisfy her soul and after a brief stint on the Our Place Board she joined the staff as a Job Coach and Administration Manager.
Contact Michelle -
mpatzke@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Emily Stern
Senior Program Leader
Emily has been with Our Place from the beginning. She was inspired to become a volunteer in 2010 by her brother, Josh—a participant. Since she was young, Emily has known that her dream when she grew up would be to work with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to live her dream at Our Place. Emily is currently completing her studies to become a speech-language pathologist.
Contact Emily-
estern@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
Jamie Weller
Program Leader
Jamie began as a volunteer at our Place in the winter of 2013 and eventually became a full time staff member. Jamie received is BA in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is interested in psychology because he loves understanding how people’s minds function. He finds working with individuals with developmental disabilities incredibly rewarding.
Contact Jamie-
jweller@ourplaceofnewtrier.org
