Board
Get to know Breakthrough's Board of Directors — click on photos to learn more

Derreck Robinson
Member since 2019
Diane Rand
Member Since 2019
Alejandra Esqueda Belmonte
Member since 2021
Jenny Haas
Member since 2019
Afua Owusu
Member since 2021
Aretha Birks
Member since 2020
Ashley Tate-Gilmore
Member Since 2018
Deb Steiner
Member since 2021
DeJuan Lever
Member since 2019
Michelle Dunham
Member since 2019
Terry Truax
Member since 2020
Tim Anliker
Member since 2022
Yolanda Fields
Executive Director
President
Derreck Robinson
National Managing Director, US Sales Leader, Deloitte
During his 29+ year career, Derreck has focused on leadership, culture creation, sales excellence, and commitment to serving the community. He is the National Managing Director and US Sales Leader of the Sales Executive Organization for Deloitte Consulting. He is a member of the Consulting Sales Excellence leadership team driving sales for all industries, offerings, alliances, and technologies. With responsibility for ~$5 billion in sales for Deloitte Consulting, Derreck’s primary focus is the management, deployment, and development of 300+ sales professionals to drive winning business strategies. Derreck graduated from Drexel University in 1993 with degrees in Finance and Economics, and he currently serves on the board of Drexel University LeBow College of Business to open doors of education opportunity and equality to the next generation of leaders. Derreck has been named to Chicago United’s Business Leaders of Color and Crain’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives. Outside of work, Derreck enjoys spending time with his wife Melanie and their kids, Amber, Zachary, Camryn, and Brandon. Making a difference in the lives of others and a relentless focus on diversity and inclusion are what fuels his passion.
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
Simply put, Breakthrough makes a difference! The intersection of the Breakthrough families, guests, staff, and volunteers to build connections, develop skills, and open doors of opportunity is a model that works. As a person who understands and was a direct recipient of community service, I have an immense sense of responsibility to give back. Breakthrough is irresistible, and I am drawn by the faith, love, and passion to serve the people of East Garfield Park.

Vice President
Diane Rand
Director of Partnerships, The Greenwood Project
Diane Rodriguez Rand is a lifelong education advocate. She is a founding member of the Kenilworth Partnership, which opened Providence Englewood Charter School in 2005. Today the neighborhood school offers a high-quality public education to more than 500 students. She started her career as a communications professional representing Kraft Foods to external audiences through a variety of mergers and acquisitions, crisis situations, philanthropic contributions, and product introductions. After volunteering at Providence Englewood, she made a career change and pursued a Master’s in Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Diane is married with three adult children. She is an enthusiastic college basketball fan, prodigious reader, and avid theatergoer.
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
I came to know Breakthrough through its youth programs. Breakthrough’s work with young people is challenging, inspirational ,and profound. Each day, the committed staff helps young people to make good choices that will influence the trajectory of their lives. The complexity of their challenges seems to be no match for the staff’s talent and commitment. In addition, Breakthrough’s reach into the community to provide wraparound services to people when, where, and how they need them can be a model for other communities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support Breakthrough which has, for over 25 years, brought so much guidance, hope, and value to people in East Garfield Park.

Secretary
Alejandra Esqueda Belmonte
Procurement Director, Allstate
Alejandra Esqueda Belmonte worked in the technology space for 16 years. She started out as system engineer at Motorola and ultimately becoming a procurement Director for electrical components. During that timeframe she completed a leadership rotational program, an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, lived in Penang, Malaysia and traveled extensively to Asia as part of her procurement roles.
After her Motorola tenure ended Alejandra was the head of procurement for a mid-size BPO Financial Services company and managed semiconductor procurement at Molex. In 2019 Alejandra joined Allstate where she is now a procurement Director for Allstate emerging businesses.
During Alejandra’s professional career she has also devoted time to community service in several roles such as tutor at the Schaumburg library for several years, co-lead the Motorola first Maker Challenge event for Motorola Mobility in 2014 to promote STEAM, and as developer and manager of a mentoring program at North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP) in 2013. She was an active member of the Board for NLCP for seven years and is an active partner with Social Venture Partners Chicago since 2016. As part of Social Venture partners Alejandra is the co-lead partner for the relationship with Breakthrough. Alejandra has a passion to promote education, technology and in general having a positive impact on the lives of others.
Alejandra is the proud mother of a 6-year-old boy. Her son is currently her best trainer in negotiations.

Treasurer
Jenny Haas
Chief Executive Officer, Tampico
Jenny Haas is the Chief Financial Officer at Tampico Beverages, a Chicago-based consumer goods company. She oversees their financial, accounting, strategy, and technology functions. Previously, Jenny held financial management roles at Kraft Foods. Jenny received her BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois and her MBA from Kellogg Northwestern. Jenny is a long time Chicago resident and enjoys the diversity and all the city has to offer – architecture, neighborhood events, and activities along the lakefront. Jenny is a member of Breakthrough’s founding church, First Evangelical Free Church, and has watched Breakthrough grow from the beginning.
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
I have been a fan and friend of Breakthrough from its very early days. What has impressed me most about Breakthrough is the dignity they offer to all of their guests. Because of the compassion and excellence of the staff, there is a noticeable difference in the impact of the services offered. This sense of care and community extends to the volunteers and donors as well. Being a part of the Breakthrough family has formed my passion for social justice issues and taught me much about God’s care for the marginalized in our society.

Afua Owusu
Director of News and Local Content, Weigel Broadcasting Company
Afua S. Owusu (uh-fee-yah) (oh-woo-sue) is currently the Director of News and Local Content for Weigel Broadcasting Company. She is also the executive producer of Chicago Food to Go, a half-hour broadcast that highlights local restaurants, and the weekly news magazine On The Block: Powered by Block Club Chicago. Previously, Afua worked as a producer for WLS-TV ABC7 Eyewitness News Chicago, and the supervising producer of WGN Morning News and CLTV covering local and national historical events like the election of President Barack Obama, Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Wins in 2010, 2013 and 2015, the 2012 Chicago NATO Summit and the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Pennant. Her career in broadcasting began at age 15 when she joined the crew of a local access television show sponsored by Comcast called Teen Talk. Afua received her BA in broadcast journalism from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In addition to being a member of the Governing Board of Breakthrough, Afua serves as the workshop chair and is on the Board of Governors for the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Science. Afua is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the National Association of Black Journalist.

Aretha Birks
Head Start Parent Representative, Breakthrough Beginners Parent Committee
Aretha serves as the Head Start Parent Representative of the Breakthrough Beginners Parent Committee. She has been a dedicated parent of the Breakthrough Youth Network since 2005 when her son was a student in the preschool program. Presently, she has a daughter in the Breakthrough Beginners program and her son is a senior in high school. Aretha, was born in Chicago and moved to East Garfield Park at the age of 11. Her relationship with Breakthrough began when she started to attend the youth programs as a teenager in 2001.
Aretha works as a school bus driver for Sunrise Bus Company in Woodridge, IL. She enjoys the relationships she has built with the elementary and high school students who have special needs and takes great care to transport them to their schools daily. She finds much joy and satisfaction in her work and the relationships with the children and their families. Aretha has worked for the City of Chicago in the Safe Passage program to ensure the children’s safety as they walked to and from school. Aretha enjoys spending time with her children and taking them to amusement parks and other events. She enjoys working with children and dreams of opening up her own daycare in the future.
Why I committed to Breakthrough:
I’m committed to Breakthrough because…
- The relationships and support the staff gave me as a teenager into adulthood
- Enjoyed the afterschool program, different activities, attending church
- Appreciate how much staff has cared for and taught my own children as well as myself
- Grateful and thankful to be chosen to be on the board to represent the Beginners Program.

Ashley Tate-Gilmore
CEO, Fortis Global
Ashley Tate-Gilmore, CEO at Fortis Global, is an expert communications, community engagement, and logistics strategist.
Previously at Tate and Associates, started by her late mother Desiree Tate, Ashley worked with clients to harness the potential of social and electronic media for community engagement, reputation management, and crisis communications. Ashley shares her mother’s passion for helping corporations, government institutions, and non-profit organizations build authentic, inclusive relationships in the communities where they work.
Prior to joining Tate and Associates, Ashley served President Barack Obama as the Director of the White House Travel Office. In her position, Ashley was in charge of multiple crucial missions, such as coordinating budget for travel, meeting with foreign delegates ahead of pivotal international meetings, and ensuring necessary steps were taken to secure the safety and comfort of the President and the press that traveled with his entourage, to name a few. Ashley has been notable for her organization, diligence, and get-it-done attitude throughout from the beginning of her career, inside and outside of the White House.
Ashley has partnered with community outreach consulting firm Values Partnerships to handle event design and logistics for a series of screenings for remarkable new documentaries, including STEP. Last July, they introduced a large Chicago STEP screening at the Museum of Science and Industry to CPS students, and students from both the Common Ground Foundation and SocialWorks. Ashley is also Founder and Managing Partner of Fortis Global LLC, a travel logistics management firm. Ashley continues to work with the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama as well as the Obama Foundation.
Ashley Tate-Gilmore was born and raised in Chicago where she attended Whitney M. Young High School, and then went on to study psychology at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Deb Steiner
Chief Administrative Officer, RRD
Deb Steiner is the Chief Administrative Officer at RRD, a Chicago-based printing and communications company. At RRD, Deb oversees the legal, risk, communications, PR, EHS and HR functions of the company. Previously, Deb was a lawyer at a global law firm and spent seven years performing government work, including as an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. Deb received her BA in psychology from Manchester College in Indiana and her JD from Cornell Law School. In her free time, Deb is a single mom to three children who joined her family through the beautiful brokenness of adoption – one from the US and two from Uganda. Together they live in the near west suburbs with their brood of pets.
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
I first met Arloa in 1999 at First Evangelical Free Church in Chicago. I had the honor of hearing the vision God gave her to serve men and women who are homeless and underserved in Chicago. I immediately became passionate about the mission and have supported Breakthrough ever since. My kids and I have had the opportunity to serve dinner in East Garfield Park and also love to send gifts for the Christmas store. The team at Breakthrough is second to none and I am thrilled to link arms with them as God commands us to care for His children. I look forward to seeing where Breakthrough’s mission will take them and to lean in to care for the poor.

DeJuan Lever
Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, Diesel Radiator Co.
DeJuan Lever is currently Regional Sales and Marketing Manager at Diesel Radiator. During DeJuan’s 18-year career, he has generated multi-million dollar plus savings for Fortune 500 companies and secured multi-million dollar sales contracts among industrial manufacturing companies. He is the father to three children – London, Lane and Lawson – ages 5 months to 8 years old, and a proud husband to Dr. Karen Fields-Lever – a premier Dentist servicing Chicagoland. His family are proud residents of the city of Chicago, living in the Portage Park neighborhood and members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on the south side of Chicago. Although DeJuan considers himself a Chicagoan, he and his wife maintain their homegrown allegiance to the state of Michigan as avid Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons fans. He earned a BA in Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University and an Executive MBA at Purdue University.
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
My commitment to Breakthrough began after meeting the organization’s founder, Arloa Sutter. Her background and story for Breakthrough has benefited tens of thousands of people throughout Chicago. Breakthrough mimics the volunteerism I wanted to replicate during my early childhood back in Flint, Michigan. I want to ensure my children have this very same experience. Breakthrough’s mission, values, and key concepts are tenets all organizations should emulate.

Michelle Dunham
Associate General Counsel, American Express
Michelle is an Attorney at American Express Company supporting the Online Fraud, Data Management and Global Privacy Business Units. Prior to joining the American Express General Counsel’s Organization (“GCO”), Michelle served as Director of Legal Affairs for the Famous Dave’s restaurant chain as the Director of Legal Affairs. Michelle has also served as Commercial Contracts Counsel at National Express Corp., as General Counsel at Heartland Food Corp. a Burger King Franchisee and as Business & Development Counsel at McDonald’s Corp. Michelle has earned international law certificates from the University of Toronto and Oxford University. Michelle was a member of the Finance Board at St. Ann’s Catholic Church from 2010 thru 2014 and is currently serves as a mentor for high school students focused on pursuing a legal career at the Legal Prep Charter Academy in Chicago.

Terry Truax
Partner, Jenner & Block
Mr. Truax obtained his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and his B.A. from Florida State University.
Mr. Traux served as a managing partner at Jenner & Block law firm from 2014 through the end of 2019. He returned to a full-time practice as a commercial and intellectual property litigator and trial lawyer in January 2020. With his deep experience managing the firm, Mr. Truax continues to consult with and assist firm leadership in various capacities.
Mr. Truax is also actively involved as a leader in the Chicago community. In addition, to being a member of the Governing Board of Breakthrough Urban Ministries, he also serves as a trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Tim Anliker
Director and Team Lead, Corporate Banking, BMO Harris Bank
Tim has over 15 years of corporate banking experience between time served at BMO Harris Bank and JPMorgan Chase. In his current role, Tim and his team assist Companies by providing access to solutions to meet their financing, treasury, and various other corporate banking needs. Focused on private and public companies in the Midwest, he works primarily with businesses in the manufacturing, distribution, and service industries. Tim earned a BS in Finance from Northern Illinois University. He lives in the Bucktown neighborhood in Chicago, IL. He has served on numerous auxiliary boards and has been heavily involved in underserved neighborhoods within the city of Chicago. Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time with family and friends, his two French bulldogs, and playing racquet sports. He’s also a big sports fan (Go Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and St. Louis Cardinals!)
Why I am committed to Breakthrough:
I am committed to Breakthrough as I believe I have a responsibility and calling to give back based on what God has richly blessed me with. I am encouraged and motivated by the tremendous work that Breakthrough is doing in East Garfield Park and the lives that are being transformed every day. This gives me great inspiration when I see and hear the stories of hope and value so many have experienced through Breakthrough’s efforts.

Yolanda Fields
Executive Director
Yolanda Fields is the Executive Director of Breakthrough and a committed nonprofit and community leader. She started at Breakthrough as a volunteer in 2001 after seeking to make a positive impact following the events of September 11, 2001. Previously, Yolanda spent 10 years leading teams at a major telecommunications company. During her tenure at Breakthrough, Yolanda has led adult programs, which includes housing, homeless services, violence prevention, workforce development, behavioral health, and food access programs. She has walked alongside those experiencing homelessness and crisis, and her compassionate leadership has created a culture of dignity and respect for all. Yolanda resides on the West Side of Chicago and is also the Director of Women’s Ministry at New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, located in East Garfield Park.
Started as a volunteer in 2002, started as the Director of Street Outreach in 2003
Email:yfields@breakthrough.org
Phone:(773) 346-1713