With a business background in marketing, Rich Johnson co-founded Spark Ventures after a 2006 trip to Zambia. As CEO during Spark’s first decade, Rich’s leadership helped to raise millions of dollars to fund partners and projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. Rich’s vision for business driven philanthropy and impact travel laid the foundation for the successful organization Spark Ventures is today and he continues to serve in a leadership role on the board of directors. He has spoken at SXSW’s entrepreneur’s conference, Chicago Ideas Week, Technori and other events. In his free time you’ll find him hiking, reading or running with his dogs, Zambezi and Kia.

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Scott Barbeau is co-founder of Spark Ventures and has served on the board since its inception. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He spent the first 15 years of his professional career working at Lucent Technologies, Parson Group, and Hyperion Solutions in sales and management roles. He is the founder of UpBeat Music and Arts, a Chicago-based non-profit music school that provides mentoring and music education.  Scott is employed as a professional musician, playing keyboards in the band Sixteen Candles and teaching music.

Daniel Marcus is co-founder of Spark Ventures and has served on the board since its inception. He was born in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the United States at the age of 8 years old with his parents and two brothers. Dan attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he  received a BA in Economics.  He has worked in finance most of his career. He  worked at Bear Stearns and currently is an Investment Advisor at Marcus  Capital, LLC. Dan has been involved with various charities including 10 years as a Child Life Specialist at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago and two years at The Night Ministry, working to serve homeless and runaway youth.

Scott Barbeau is co-founder of Spark Ventures and has served on the board since its inception. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He spent the first 15 years of his professional career working at Lucent Technologies, Parson Group, and Hyperion Solutions in sales and management roles. He is the founder of UpBeat Music and Arts, a Chicago-based non-profit music school that provides mentoring and music education.  Scott is employed as a professional musician, playing keyboards in the band Sixteen Candles and teaching music.

Michael Campbell joined the Spark Board of Directors in 2018. He received a BS from Purdue University in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and spent the beginning of his professional career co-founding and developing several successful start-ups. Michael brings over 30 years of experience in enterprise technology, currently as the CEO of Fusion Risk Management, the leader in Business Continuity and Risk Management solutions. He also brings a unique global perspective and strategic insight to Spark’s board. Michael is a proud father to three beautiful and intelligent daughters and currently lives in Chicago.

With a business background in marketing, Rich Johnson co-founded Spark Ventures after a 2006 trip to Zambia. As CEO during Spark’s first decade, Rich’s leadership helped to raise millions of dollars to fund partners and projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. Rich’s vision for business driven philanthropy and impact travel laid the foundation for the successful organization Spark Ventures is today and he continues to serve in a leadership role on the board of directors. He has spoken at SXSW’s entrepreneur’s conference, Chicago Ideas Week, Technori and other events. In his free time you’ll find him hiking, reading or running with his dogs, Zambezi and Kia.

Patti was born and raised outside Boston, Massachusetts and made Chicago her home in 1989. She has a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Applied Economics from The University of Michigan. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Rush University System for Health. Previous to joining Rush, she worked as a banker at both Bank of America and First National Bank of Chicago. She raised her three children in Chicago. Patti is involved in volunteer activities at church, Misericordia, and her children’s schools, and is on the Investment Committee of Saint Ignatius College Prep. Currently, Patti is a board member of an HIV/AIDS clinic located in Chicago. She traveled to our partner in Zambia with both of her daughters and has done a family trip to our partner in Nicaragua as well!

Kristin Schrepferman has been an enthusiastic supporter of Spark since 2014 and officially joined the Spark team in October 2017. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She has over 28 years of experience in marketing, sales, and operations. She has a long history of dedication to children in need. Her most rewarding life experiences have come from foster parenting, adoption, volunteering, mentoring, and working in schools with students from some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. Kristin is driven by the belief that communities can be lifted out of poverty and individuals can be empowered to thrive if they have the opportunity to receive a quality education, healthcare, and nutrition in an environment that is safe and nurturing.

Carol was born and raised in Iowa. She has a B.A. in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1989, when she moved to Chicago. She retired at the end of 2023 after a 34- year career as an attorney with Chapman and Cutler in downtown Chicago. Carol has been an active member of the Civic Federation of Chicago, serving as a board member, a member of the executive committee and chair of the criminal justice committee. She recently served as a member of the Implementation Task Force for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Pre-Trial Practices.
Carol raised two children in the Chicago suburbs and currently lives in Naperville. She enjoys traveling, cooking, entertaining, spending time with family and friends and following the Iowa Hawkeyes. Carol has been involved with Spark for over ten years and has traveled twice to visit Spark’s partner in Mexico and once to Nicaragua. She looks forward to taking future trips with Spark and participating as a board member.

Constance was first introduced to Spark Ventures in 2014 and traveled to Nicaragua with the organization shortly thereafter.  Since then she has been a huge fan of Spark and enthusiastically joined the board in 2018.  She holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and has 20 years of sales and marketing experience, with 15 of those years in the global market place.  She began her career in the hotel industry and transitioned into the publishing industry.  As an executive with World Book International, she oversaw the company’s marketing efforts in 30 countries throughout the world, in addition to developing and executing major events throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.  Since Constance’s departure from the corporate sector, she has worked with and supported a variety of philanthropic organizations in Kenya, Tanzania, China, Romania, Guatemala, Indonesia and Cameroon.  Currently she also serves on the Board of Directors of Prevent AIDS Africa, an organization that works to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa through a sustainable program of education, prevention, and treatment in connection with local partners.  Constance resides in Chicago.

Board of Director member Jennifer Kim loves adventure and has traveled extensively around the world. In June 2016, she took her family to Nicaragua on their first Spark Ventures trip. Since then, they have traveled to both of our partners in Zambia and Mexico. After living abroad in London and more recently in New York City, Jennifer now resides in Chicago with her husband and two daughters. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Biology and Philosophy from Boston University and a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University with a focus on Health Education and Maternal/Child Health.

Throughout her life, Jennifer has dedicated her time and efforts to a number of causes. As a student, she volunteered in Kenya building a school for children. Subsequently, she worked in the outreach program with the International Red Cross in London and traveled to Sri Lanka to aid in the recovery of the 2004 Tsunami. For the last 14 years, she has volunteered with the Junior League in a number of capacities including fundraising, event planning, leadership, and tutoring underprivileged children in London and Chicago. She has served as a co-chair of the Latin School of Chicago gala, as the Lower School Vice President of the Parent Association and continues to volunteer in many capacities at the school. She serves on the Events and Partners committees for Spark Ventures. It is a pleasure to have Jennifer on the Spark team.

Lisa was born in Portland, Oregon and spent her later childhood in Carmel, Indiana. She is a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she earned a B.A. in Economics/Business Administration and Psychology.

Lisa has worked as a senior broker and founding member at @ properties, Chicago’s top ranking real estate brokerage, for over 16 years. She has consistently ranked as one of @ properties top producers and has been recognized by the Chicago Association of Realtors for her sales volume. Her expertise includes marketing and sales of new construction developments, selling individual property listings, and helping buyers find that special home. Before entering the world of real estate, Lisa spent ten years at The Northern Trust Company as a large corporate commercial banker and financial analyst.

Lisa has lived in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago since 1999 and has two daughters. She enjoys keeping busy with her girls’ activities and school functions. She also has volunteered with several not-for-profit organizations. Lisa traveled with Spark Ventures to Zambia in 2017 and is eager to go back with her family.

Leon is an experienced science and engineering professional, having worked as a key member of the High Energy Physics Division at Argonne National Lab. He has a passion for youth education. He has already lent his time and expertise to more than one of Spark Ventures’ partner organizations. He volunteers weekly as a math tutor for our Zooming With Zambia program. Leon grew up in Englewood; bolstered by that personal connection, he spent significant time engaging with We Grow Chicago through attending community events and helping set up the Spark Inspiration Computer Lab. He’s eager to get involved with other programming on the Peace Campus. Welcome, Leon!

Kathy Campbell Wolf’s passion for Spark first ignited when she first traveled to Zambia in January of 2014. Coming back to the states inspired, she joined Spark’s Board of Directors that same year as part of her transition to non profit work from a 20 year career in the fashion industry as an agent, producer and business owner. A proud mother of two, Kathy previously joined the Board of Directors for her daughter’s adoption agency – the Adoption Center of Illinois (formerly the Family Resource Center) and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Chicago based non-profit HelloBaby. Kathy has fully immersed herself and her family with Spark’s partners, traveling to Nicaragua and Mexico twice each, and back to Zambia seven more times. Kathy’s determination to help those in need has made her an indispensable addition to Spark Ventures’ leadership.

Sue first learned about Spark through her daughter, Stephanie Denzer (Spark’s Strategic Communications Consultant), who invited Sue to join her in Zambia for a trip in 2013. Sue traveled with Spark to Zambia in July 2023 for her eighth visit there! Sue has also visited our partners in Nicaragua and Mexico. When the pandemic made travel to our partner sites impossible, Sue spearheaded efforts to bring technology to all of our partners. She has spent countless hours “Zooming with Zambia,” connecting US educators and volunteers with learners and educators in Zambia to enhance their math and science curriculum, expose them to computer technology, and share
teaching strategies. With travel again possible, Sue has helped create programs to bring Zambian teachers to the US, and US teachers to Zambia. She is focused on promoting partnerships between students, teachers and families in Zambia with their peers in the U.S. Sue started her professional career as an attorney in Los Angeles in the 1980’s, but quickly realized that wasn’t for her. She has enjoyed being involved in her kids’ education, including serving as a Girl Scout leader for 13 years, and as everything from room parent to “picture lady” to president of the school parents’ association. She has had leadership roles in several other nonprofits, including serving as Board Chair of a small private school in Kansas. Sue has also chaired several fundraising auctions and events. She has sponsored several Spark events in Kansas since her first trip to Zambia. Spark is grateful to have Sue’s experience on our team.

Doak Elliott is passionate about giving back to the community.  He began supporting Spark in 2013, as one of the founding members of the Associate Board. While on the Associate Board, he served in several leadership roles, including the Associate Board Chair.  He has served on the Board of Directors since 2016 and served two terms as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair.  He has traveled to all of Spark’s partner organizations.

Doak attended Oklahoma State University where he graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting.  After starting his professional career at Ernst and Young (EY) Chicago in the Risk consulting practice, he then moved into corporate accounting and audit roles at US Foods and CDW.  Doak is currently the Director of Financial Controls / MAR for American Fidelity in Oklahoma City.

Julie, the proud mother of twin girls, lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California but was born in Pittsburg, PA and raised outside of Chicago. She attended the University of the Pacific where she received her BFA in Commercial Design and Business. She also did her post-graduate studies at The Art Institute of Chicago. After a successful sales career in high-technology publishing, Julie has spent the past 15 years focused on philanthropic efforts. In addition to being on several non-profit Boards, she has chaired numerous fund raising events for a variety of organizations. Julie has traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India and South America. Julie and her daughter first traveled with Spark to Nicaragua with Spark in 2016. Julie has traveled to Spark’s partners in Mexico and Zambia several times and can’t wait to visit them again soon.

Daniel Marcus is co-founder of Spark Ventures and has served on the board since its inception. He was born in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the United States at the age of 8 years old with his parents and two brothers. Dan attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he  received a BA in Economics.  He has worked in finance most of his career. He  worked at Bear Stearns and currently is an Investment Advisor at Marcus  Capital, LLC. Dan has been involved with various charities including 10 years as a Child Life Specialist at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago and two years at The Night Ministry, working to serve homeless and runaway youth.

Tumsheen is a strategic, analytical, and results-driven Finance professional with over 15 years of audit, process improvement, and accounting experience in global Fortune 100 companies. She currently leads the Internal Audit and Finance Continuous Improvement teams at Grainger, Global Industrial Supplier. Passionate about giving back to the community, she’s been a Spark supporter for the last few years and excited to be on the Board of Directors & serve as Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair. She’s had the pleasure of traveling to Mexico and visit the Entreamigos & visit We Grow Chicago which both provide incredible support to the local community.

Ashley is a Chicago native who graduated from DePaul University in 2012 with a BA in Psychology: Human Development and in 2014 with an MA in Elementary and Special Education. With the help of Lincoln Park Preschool and their ties to Spark and their mission to provide quality education to children everywhere, she was able to visit Spark’s partner Hope Community School, in Zambia, in 2018. She currently teaches preschool students at Pershing Magnet STEAM School in the Bronzeville area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reading, painting and listening to music.

Katie began as Spark’s nonprofit assistant in mid-August of 2021 and then transitioned to Spark’s Event and Communications Manager in October of 2021. She graduated from North Park University in May of 2021 with a Bachelors’s in Sociology. Throughout high school and college, she worked at a summer camp in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These summers instilled in her a passion for working and growing with others. She has always known that she wanted a job that gave her purpose, which is what drew her to Spark. She is excited to work with a team of people who are passionate about helping others and doing good work in the world. Katie enjoys exploring new places and spending time outside and with her two Golden Retrievers.

Jason joined the Associate Board in January of 2023 after being introduced to Spark by his aunt, Kristin Schrepferman (Spark’s Executive Director). He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Computer Science and started his professional career working at Consolidated Trading LLC as a derivatives trader and software developer. Jason has always been dedicated to impacting lives. In high school, he volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, tutoring and mentoring children. After college, he worked with Challenge Aspen to provide adaptive ski experiences for individuals with cognitive and/or physical learning disabilities. Now, he is looking forward to working with Spark to create a lasting and sustainable impact on our partner organizations and communities around the world!

Harli joined the Associate Board in January of 2024 after being introduced to Spark through her company Fusion Risk Management. She graduated from University of Iowa with a BS in psychology and Human Physiology. She started her career in technology, and currently works as an Account Executive at Fusion Risk Management. Harli has always been actively involved in the community and giving back to others. She is passionate about working with organizations that empower women and uplift the Chicago community. She is looking forward to working with Spark Ventures to lift communities out of poverty and empower future female leaders.

Wamuyu joined the Associate Board in July of 2024. She currently works as a Relationship Banker at Bank of America. She spent her formative years in Nakuru, Kenya. She has a personal interest in the workings of poverty and international aid, given her firsthand experience growing up in a developing country. Wamuyu believes that financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment and social justice. She holds a degree in Biology from Benedictine University. She completed her undergraduate research on solar-powered health clinics and is a proponent of sustainable energy solutions. In her free time, Wamuyu enjoys knitting, reading, hiking and watching independent films.

Avery Hellweg joined the Associate Board in 2024 after multiple volunteer trips with Spark. She is currently a high school student at the Latin School of Chicago. Avery was inspired by her trips to Zambia, Nicaragua and Mexico with Spark Ventures and visiting We Grow Chicago’s Peach Campus. She has been supporting Spark since 2014 as one of the original ‘Sparklers’. Now, she loves seeing the lasting impact and growth at the communities she’s visited. She hopes to continue learning from and supporting Spark Ventures.

Aneil joined the Associate Board at the end of 2022 after a college friend introduced him to Spark at the Gala that year. He graduated from The University of Chicago with a BA in Economics, The London School of Economics and Political Science with an MSc in Economic History, and received his Doctorate from Ohio State University in Applied Economics. Aneil currently serves a combination of federal, state, and corporate clients at KPMG LLP. From a family of professors, Aneil has volunteered in tutoring math to disadvantaged students in Chicago, and is looking forward to working with Spark to bring quality education to as many deserving children as possible. In his spare time, you may find Aneil traveling the far corners of the globe, running, along the lake, or making pizza from scratch.

Mary is originally from Ohio, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron before moving to Chicago. In Chicago, she attended Erikson Institute where she earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in special education. She currently teaches kindergarten in the city. Mary joined the Associate Board in January 2024 and is thrilled to be a part of an organization that she is truly passionate about. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Hailey joined the Associate Board in 2023. She graduated from Butler University in 2021 with a BA in Strategic Communication, and shortly after began her career in Project Management at DeanHouston Chicago. She was first introduced to Spark’s mission in 2021 as she was assisting with the execution of Spark’s fully virtual fundraising event. Since then, she has greatly enjoyed being involved with the planning and execution of several other events. She is excited to work with Spark’s team of individuals who are passionate about helping others in both their local community and around the globe. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Cassi was first introduced to Spark by cofounder Scott Barbeau in 2009 and never looked back. A southside Chicago native graduating from Governors State University with a BA in Business Management, her background is mainly focused in Customer Service, Hospitality, Special Events and Project Management. One of the early events committee members and a YPS (Young Professionals of Spark) supporter she joined the Associate Board in 2018. She traveled with Spark to Las Tias in Nicaragua in 2014 and was lucky enough to make a short solo stop at Entreamigos in Mexico more recently. Hope School in Zambia is still on the list of places to visit!

Abby was the Spark Ventures Event Management Intern in Summer 2023, and has fallen in love with Spark. She joined the Associate Board in July 2024 and is excited to continue with Spark’s great work. Originally from Villanova, PA, Abby is currently in her fourth year at the University of Chicago majoring in Business Economics as well as Theater and Performance Studies. She plans to pursue a career in arts administration following graduation this spring. Abby is passionate about working in nonprofits and is excited to continue her relationship with Spark and build her knowledge of nonprofit administration. Abby is currently spending her free time directing a musical with UChicago’s theater club, where she is also the secretary!

Julie is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Accounting/Business Administration. After starting her professional career in the public accounting and consulting sector, she has spent the last 20 years in the healthcare software industry; primarily assisting clients with implementing electronic healthcare practice management records. Julie attended her first Spark event in 201o and has been a supporter ever since, visiting Entreamigos in 2016 and again in 2020 before the pandemic shut down travel. She has also visited Hope Community School in 2019 and has participated on the Spark Event Committee since 2016. Julie resides in Chicago with her husband and four-legged furball. She loves traveling, baseball, checking out new restaurants, and live music.

Kitsy graduated from Depauw University with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. She later went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and has taught preschool in Chicago for the last eight years. Kitsy has attended numerous Spark events in the past, and was fortunate enough to have traveled with Spark to Zambia to work with the preschool class at Hope Community School in 2020. Kitsy joined the Associate Board in April 2023 and is thrilled to be a part of an organization that she is truly passionate about. In her free time, Kitsy enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time with family and friends.

Danny joined the Associate Board in February of 2024 and is excited to support Spark’s mission to uplift others. Danny is a Chicago native who graduated from DePaul University in 2021 and studied finance. He now has a career in corporate banking and works at BMO in their Sponsor Finance group. In college, Danny gained extensive experience giving back to his community and organizing initiatives; he founded DePaul Inclusion in Finance (DIF) – a student organization at DePaul focused on bridging the gap between qualified diverse candidates and careers in finance by equipping them with the materials, guidance, and connections so that they could be competitive within the field. During his free time, Danny likes to invest, go to concerts, hang out at the beach, play chess, and spend time with friends and family.

Julia joined Spark Ventures in January 2024 as the Events Management Intern to support fundraising efforts and the Spark Associate Board later that March. She graduated from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Agricultural and Consumer Economics and has had a dream to work for a nonprofit since middle school. Julia has a passion for helping others and is specifically interested in the issue of food sustainability impacting communities across the world. In high school she enjoyed volunteering at UNC hospital and continued to nurture her desire to help others by tutoring students facing academic challenges in college. She is beyond excited to be working with the Spark team and expanding her knowledge and exposure to the nonprofit world. She is looking forward to participating on a partner trip in the near future.

Erin joined the Associate Board in 2024 after volunteering alongside other members at Spark’s Unity Day earlier that year. Erin holds a BA in International Studies and Spanish Studies from American University, with concentrations on Human Rights and Latin America. During her studies at AU, she spent semesters abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Edinburgh, Scotland. After graduation, Erin spent several years working in Washington, DC’s non-profit sector, supporting humanitarian assistance, resilience, and food security programs. Now living in Chicago, Erin is a Senior Program Associate for the DC-based World Justice Project, where she manages expert survey data collection and annual report production for the WJP Rule of Law Index. Erin is excited to apply the skills and knowledge she has developed in her career to Spark’s work, both in her own community and with partners around the world. In her spare time, Erin volunteers with Chicago’s UpBeat Music and Arts, takes numerous art classes, and enjoys exploring the city.

Mac joined the Associate Board in September of 2024 after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a BS in Computer Science. Mac has been involved with Spark for most of his life. He has traveled to Zambia 5 times, Nicaragua once & joins the annual Unity Day at We Grow Chicago. The experiences have given him a deep appreciation for Spark’s work and an incredible respect for their partners. Mac enjoys teaching Computer Studies to grade 9 students in Zambia through Spark’s Zooming with Zambia program. He loves music and cycling on the lake front.

Alyssa joined the Associate Board at the end of 2024 after being introduced to Spark by her aunt, Carol Thompson. Alyssa graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Communication and she is currently a Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Kraft Heinz. Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys walks along the lakefront and intramural volleyball, diving into a good book, and spending time with friends and family. Alyssa is excited to support Spark’s initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impacts on communities both locally and globally.

Heather Duncan is a Nurse Practitioner, educator, volunteer, investor and close friend of Spark. She is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at North Park University as well as the Faculty Liaison for North Park University’s annual Zambia trip and clinic. She has traveled to Zambia at least 5 times to facilitate the medical clinic, and has continued to develop innovative ways to share knowledge with Hope and the community they serve. In May of 2013 she led a team of local staff to launch our first Nutrition Training. Not only has she made friends with the children at Hope, but she also got to meet the first round of chickens at the poultry farm!

Andrew Hastie is originally from Boulder, Colorado, but has called Chicago home since 2007. He is a Salesforce functional architect with more than 5 years of professional services and implementation experience. He holds a bachelors in economics from the University of Chicago, a masters in accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and held a record in the Guinness Book of World Records. He was hired into Salesforce Commerce Cloud to provide implementation guidance and engagement quality assessments for Salesforce Commerce clients. He has been involved with Spark’s mission since 2011 and is currently working with Spark to strengthen our technical roadmap and bring us closer to our donors through the Salesforce platform.