President, Treasurer, Board of Directors

Danielle is a CPA and a partner at PwC. She has worked in the financial services sector for over 30 years. Danielle has a passion for child welfare and children in the foster care system. She is a former Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian Ad Lietem (CASA/GAL) in Kane County, Illinois as well as a youth group leader and has served as a leader on several high school mission trips, all of which have fueled her desire to help others and make a difference in the lives of children and young adults.

Program Director

Holly Petrovich is the Social Media Manager at Chicago Event Management, where she helps put on road races including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Through this work, Holly has become passionate about community work, charity and advocacy, and breaking down barriers to help people reach their goals. As the Part-Time Program Director, Holly is excited to build on Fostering Success' Mentor Program and find new resources for the youth we work with.

Contact: holly.petrovich@fosteringsuccess21.org

Director of Community Development

Maria Hartel is a retired registered nurse who worked in many different sectors of healthcare. In her experience working in the emergency room, the most challenging and also most rewarding were the patients who experienced homelessness, mental health crises, and adolescents who didn’t have strong adult role models. This fuels her passion for helping youth at a young age to assist them in living their best life.

Board of Directors

Fiona Cismesia is a Student Success Coach for scholars in the Milwaukee Public School system through the youth development non-profit City Year. There, Fiona provides mentorship through social-emotional, and academic intervention to students in underserved communities. Her goal in her community work is to guide young adults on the path to achieving their goals, teaching them how to stand tall in all their knowledge and awesomeness. Fiona brings her mentorship experience to her role as Mentor Coordinator where she looks forward to working with mentors who share her belief in the power of young people!

Board of Directors

Billye is currently a Student Development professional with experience in Career Development and Multicultural Student Development. She has worked for Wheaton College for two decades and was formerly a Marketing Manager and Project Manager in the Telecommunications industry. She is a public speaker and storyteller who bridges generations and racial divides through her passion for fostering the success of others, and advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. A life-long learner, Billye is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Leadership, holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Life, a Certificate in Management, and is a Certified Restorative Justice and Peace Circle Leader.

Board of Directors

Bill Kramer has worked in the advertising industry for the past four years specializing in search engine marketing. Always having a passion for non-profits, he got his first taste of it when he put on a 5k run/walk for the Global Conservation Crops to help further the protection of Rhinos being poached in Africa. His career has most recently driven him to work for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as an event planner. Bill believes that helping others should always be at the forefront of society and is excited to help impact the lives of young adults.

Board of Directors

Elizabeth is a Leadership Enablement Coordinator at PwC. She has worked in Human Resources for over 17 years. Elizabeth has experience of aging out of the foster care system. She is the author of No Ordinary Liz, a book chronicling her incredible life story. She is a frequent speaker and mentor for organizations in and around the Tampa Bay Area.

Secretary, Board of Directors

Allie Valkner is a high school social studies teacher and varsity coach. She has sponsored the student-run Relay for Life event at the high school she works at to benefit the American Cancer Society, and has sponsored student trips abroad to foster a better understanding of the world for her students. Allie is passionate about working with adolescents to help them recognize and develop their leadership abilities.

Sponsor, Board of Directors

Kristi Wisdom is the co-founder and President of the Wisdom Family Foundation. Her generous spirit and personal dedication to the organizations and causes she cares for is an inspiration to everyone around her. She was a founding member of the Food for Greater Elgin food pantry in her community, and she has served on the board of the local Boys & Girls Club of America for nearly five years. Kristi has actively been building the Wisdom Family Foundation for more than a decade and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and families, both locally and abroad.