The WITS Associates Board is a community of young professionals dedicated to WITS’ mission through philanthropic efforts and raising awareness of literacy in Chicago. With quarterly meetings, volunteer opportunities, and social events, Associate Board members network with others who are interested in making a difference in their communities and empowering readers.
The Associates Board is comprised of forty-six WITS mentors, corporate rising stars, entrepreneurs and dynamic professionals that give their time, talents and resources to help advance the mission of WITS. Every year, this group of dedicated leaders go above and beyond for the organization.
WITS Associates Board Membership Chair, and Kinship Capital Director, Andrew Youngling, says, “I’ve always viewed giving back as something inherently important to being a good-standing member of a community, but also something that would make me more well-rounded in both personal and professional capacities. With tremendous support from the WITS staff, the Associates Board makes accomplishing both really easy.”
New member, and Deloitte Experience Coordinator, Kirstie Biehl, was looking for an opportunity to make an even larger impact. “After my first year as a volunteer with WITS, where the difference in my student mentee’s confidence I saw was incredibly palpable, I got attached to the mission of WITS and wanted to do more than just an hour of volunteering each week. I began to see my marketing and event planning skills I use in my day job as transferable to support the WITS community and reached out to the WITS team begging to get more involved.”
All Associates Board members share the same compassion and drive for the WITS organization. The Board is a huge part of the WITS organization, and they continue to exceed expectations. Currently they are raising money for the WITSummer Books campaign. Leading the campaign this year, the Associates Board has committed to raising a goal of $30,000 for the organization.
For more information on the Associates Board, please contact Alex Michel, alexandra@witschicago.org.
