HEART Chicago Advisory Board Members
Ashley Craig, HEART Chicago Advisory Board Chair, has built a personal and professional career in sustainability, clean energy policy, energy efficiency, finance and audit. Ms. Craig moved with her family to Chicago from New York in early 2010 and loves being able to call “the Windy City” home. Since relocating to Chicago, she has worked for the Environmental Law and Policy Center and Willdan Energy Solutions, while serving as HEART’s Chicago advisory board chair and leading her childrens’ school sustainability program. Prior to moving to Chicago, Ms. Craig worked in finance at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch and in internal audit at the Walt Disney Company and Marriott International. She earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown and her MBA from UCLA. Ms. Craig lives with her husband, three children and four furry pets in a “green” landmarked historic home in Ravenswood and is extremely proud of her involvement with HEART here in Chicago.
Ashlee Piper is a strategy consultant and animal protection advocate who currently serves as the Community Director for GetVegucated and the Director of Strategic Services at a national government consulting firm. In previous roles, she has brokered public-private partnerships and developed curriculums as the Director of Programs for Chicago Career Tech (Now, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future) and set public health and education policies as the Senior Health and Human Services Advisor for both Massachusetts Governors Romney and Patrick. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MSW/MSc from the University of Oxford, and is an AADP-Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Ms. Piper is also serves on the Junior Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago and volunteers regularly with the Anti-Cruelty Society, Mercy for Animals, and Carriage-Free Chicago.
Amanda Wethington works as a Consultant for Hay Group Inc., a global management consulting firm with a focus in human resources to develop talent, organize people to be more effective and motivate them to perform at their best. Prior to working at Hay Group, Amanda worked for Hyatt Hotels for nine years in a variety of roles including diversity, recruitment and compensation management. She was first introduced to HEART when attending an awareness event in Chicago in 2012. Amanda has focused on driving awareness of the HEART message and fundraising strategies. Amanda holds a B.A. in Human Resource Management from Western Michigan University and an M.B.A. from the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business. Amanda lives in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago with her husband.
Caroline Pakenham is the Young Professional Board Chair and Advisory Board Member for HEART Chicago. In addition to serving HEART Chicago, Ms. Pakenham also works as an Energy Operations Associate at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, which is an urban sustainability nonprofit organization. Ms. Pakenham has also worked at the Environmental Law & Policy Center and as an environmental educator in NYC. In her free time, Ms. Pakenham volunteers with PAWS Chicago and has participated in the Chicago Conservation Corps leadership-training program.
Ms. Pakenham holds a M.A. in Political Science from Colorado State University and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Drake University.
Sara McCarthy was born in South Bend, Indiana, grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Boston College. Growing up in a large family, Sara was fortunate to have great role models in her life both in and out of the classroom – learning the invaluable qualities of respect and compassion for all. Sara was immediately attracted to HEART’s mission at first introduction and believes its program curriculum is an essential component in raising our young students to be great citizens to our society and future. In addition to her work with HEART, Sara is the Boston College Alumni Chicago Chapter Co-Chair and coordinates an annual Coat Drive for Chicago’s CPS homeless students. When not volunteering, Sara is a residential Realtor in Chicago; having formed the Dorger McCarthy group at Coldwell Banker. She lives in the Ravenswood neighborhood, loves spending time with her family, friends and puppy Emma. She also has a passion for yoga, dancing and cycling along the Lakeshore path.
Lori Wester is a Marketing Executive who is currently working at Mars. Incorporated within the Wm Wrigley Jr Company. In the 6 ½ years that Lori has spent at Wrigley, she has held numerous positions that have ranged from Global Marketing to her current position as the Sr Marketing Manager within the In-Store Experience Team. Lori is a passionate, dedicated individual who continuously seeks out opportunities whether through work and her personal life.
In 2012, Lori was seeking out various organizations within the Chicago area that she could play a key role in making a difference. Last December, she attended a holiday party that to benefit HEART and in her conversations with both HEART board members as well as with the HEART kids who told their stories, she knew this was an organization she wanted to join. When it comes to making a difference, Lori is very interested in being able to make a positive difference in the lives of today’s youth.