make a greater impact in your community
Are you a young professional looking to make a greater impact in your community? Serving on an Associate or Junior Board can be a powerful way to give back, build your network, and grow as a leader.
We’ll also help you better understand some of the challenges facing our communities, the same issues nonprofits are addressing through their work. You’ll hear from speakers from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University as well as United Way’s own experts. No previous knowledge of Associate Boards or nonprofits is needed.
Benefits of Participating in Associate Board Basics
Learn about the issues facing our community from experts in the field
Gain baseline understanding needed to serve on a nonprofit Junior or Associate Board
Join a cohort of civic-minded early- to mid-career professionals from a variety of sectors
Connect with representatives from local nonprofit Boards
Upcoming Associate Board Basics Seminar
The 2026 Seminar takes place Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Register Today
For questions, contact Caitlin Closser Peart at PublicPrograms@liveunitedchicago.org
Agenda
Thursday, August 13, 2026
9:30-5:00pm
SEMINAR
9:30am – 3pm
Session Topics
BOARD FAIR NETWORKING RECEPTION
3 – 5pm
Speakers
Liz Livingston Howard
Previously, she served as Assistant Dean for Development for Kellogg from 1994 to 2003. In that role, she was responsible for the fundraising activities of the Kellogg School including alumni and individual solicitation, corporate and foundation grants. She was involved with the $1.4 billion Campaign Northwestern. During her tenure, total giving to the school increased 100% and the Kellogg School raised over $100 million for significant objectives in Campaign Northwestern.
Prior to joining the Kellogg School, Ms. Howard served as a fundraising consultant with Charles R. Feldstein & Company, based in Chicago. Her additional development work was as Director of Development for the Chicago Tourism Council/Mayor's Office of Tourism for the City of Chicago and as the first Director of Development for Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette, Illinois.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Howard has been involved with a number of philanthropic organizations in Chicago. She was selected as a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow to participate in a unique, year-long venture to deepen the understanding of greater Chicago, thereby enhancing the future quality of civic and community leadership. In addition, she served as the founding chairman of the Chicago Community Trust Young Leaders Fund, an endowment fund established in 1994 by young professionals in Chicago to educate them about grant-making and the value of philanthropy.
Currently, she serves as Secretary of the 100 Club of Illinois, providing financial assistance to the families of first responders killed in the line of duty across the State of Illinois, Secretary of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, Board Member of the Women's Board of Northwestern University and an Advisory Board Member for the Office of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She has provided consulting services for local nonprofits in the areas of fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, and board governance.
Kimberlee Guenther, Ph.D.
Caitlin Closser Peart
April K. Donnellan
A Girl Scout troop leader from 2006-2019, April also served on the board of the Women’s Global Education Project and currently serves as a member of the board of the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
In addition, April was featured in the Chicago Business Journal article Chicago philanthropist became aware of global issues at the family dinner table.
Kimberlee Guenther, Ph.D.
Chief Strategy & Development Officer,
United Way of Metro Chicago
Read Bio
Liz Livingston Howard
Executive Director,
Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management
Read Bio
Caitlin Closser Peart
Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives,
United Way of Metro Chicago
Read Bio
Registration Fees
General Registration
$150
(includes seminar/all sessions registration, breakfast refreshments, lunch, and entrance to the Board Fair Networking Reception with drinks and appetizers)
Young Leaders United (YLU) Members* and ChiNEXT Alumni** Registration
$75
(includes seminar/all sessions registration, breakfast refreshments, lunch, and entrance to the Board Fair Networking Reception with drinks and appetizers)
Board Fair ONLY Registration
$15
(includes access to the Board Fair Networking Reception with drinks and appetizers)
*Young Leaders United (YLU) is our affinity group of young professionals committed to generosity and volunteerism. Members support United Way by giving $250 or more annually. Learn more about Young Leaders United at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/YLU.
**ChiNEXT is United Way of Metro Chicago’s premier program for young professionals to develop a deeper understanding of Chicago’s civic landscape. Learn more about Young Leaders United at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/ChiNEXT.
For questions about tickets and pricing, please contact United Way Public Programs.
About Board Leadership Institute
The Board Leadership Institute program prepares philanthropic business leaders for service on the boards of directors of nonprofit organizations. Through a holistic curriculum, participants are provided with a deep understanding of the challenges facing our neighborhoods along with the tools to leverage their skills in service of Greater Chicago. The training program embodies the commitments required by board service, with classroom-style sessions held over several months, including homework assignments. Upon successful program completion, each participant will have the opportunity to be matched to a nonprofit board to begin their service.
Interested in learning more? Visit the Board Leadership Institute page.