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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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