The Associate Board supports the overall mission and activities of The Night Ministry. Acting as ambassadors of the agency, Associate Board members engage the community through volunteering, fundraising, networking, and advocacy opportunities targeted towards young professionals.
The Associate Board's leadership helps guide the endeavors of its members. Keep reading to hear from the Associate Board's Executive Committee and its Committee Chairs.
Chintan Mehta
Pronouns: he/him/his
Associate Board Position: President
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry? Why did you join the Associate Board?
In 2007, I was fortunate to attend a Harvard Commencement Speech given by Bill Gates. He said his mother wrote a letter to him during her dying days from cancer, where at the close of the letter, she said "From those to whom much is given, much is expected." I have been very fortunate in my life, and once I had moved to Chicago from the suburbs and was making decent money, I thought it was time to start giving back to those less fortunate. I began Googling non-profits to support in Chicago, and The Night Ministry's mission resonated with me as youth homelessness and poverty should be non-existent. Children should not have to worry about their next meal or a roof on their head. Thus, I joined the Associate Board because I would be able to connect with others in Chicago, expand my network, all while sharing in the goal to help the youth of Chicago.
What do you do for work?
I am Director of Product at Nielsen. I design and deliver data and tools to help retailers (e.g. Walmart) and manufacturers (e.g. P&G, Coca-Cola) understand their consumers and their respective buying habits so as to improve their pricing, promotions, supply chain, etc. to meet those consumer needs.
What are your hobbies?
Watching sports, especially Chicago and Northwestern University sports teams, reading, exploring the City---especially the restaurants and bars---and handiwork around the house.
Was the last thing you read digitally or in print?
In print - Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell.
Peter Hu
Pronouns: he/him/his
Associate Board Position: Treasurer
Why did you join the Associate Board?
I joined The Night Ministry's Associate Board because I wanted to do what I can to help provide the needs of those who are less fortunate in the city that I live and love. Homelessness and health care are two of the most important areas for those in poverty. When I toured the Health Outreach Bus and visited The Crib, I could see that The Night Ministry was on the frontlines of helping those in need, and that I wanted to be part of The Night Ministry and part of the Associate Board.
What do you like most about your position on the Associate Board?
Being treasurer, I find working with the staff at The Night Ministry to be the best part of the role. It is also great to see the donations that come in through our fundraisers and events and to be part of the decision making process to give back to The Night Ministry and the community it serves.
What do you do for work?
I am a Consultant at EY.
What are your hobbies?
Tennis and snowboarding.
Was the last thing you read digitally or in print?
In print, unless it's the news, which I read digitally.
Jonathan Mayo
Pronouns: he/him/anything respectful
Associate Board Position: Secretary
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry? Why did you join the Associate Board?
I started volunteering with The Night Ministry because I wanted to do more in the LGBTQ+ community, and I knew many of the clients served at The Night Ministry identify as part of the community. I stayed because I saw how dedicated the organization is to supporting those impacted by homelessness.
What do you do for work?
I'm a theatre artist first. I try to advocate and build community through my art. However, my day job is as an independent contractor in the non-profit dental sector. I've had the opportunity to blend this work with the mission at The Night Ministry by getting toothbrushes and oral health items to our clients!
What are your hobbies?
Art, art, art! Anything with performance and music or aesthetics I love. I enjoy having a nice drink with friends or traveling to new places.
Was the last thing you read digitally or in print?
Digital. I, like so many, am addicted to my phone!
Hilary Hansen
Pronouns: she/her
Associate Board Position: Service Advocacy Committee Chair
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry? Why did you join the Associate Board?
I'm a new committee chair! I started volunteering for The Night Ministry nearly two years ago because I wanted to contribute something more than money to this excellent organization. After spending time on the Health Outreach Bus, I was inspired to throw my hat in the ring for Associate Board membership.
What do you do for work?
I'm a full time graduate student at Notre Dame, studying for my Master's in Non-Profit Administration.
What are your hobbies?
All I do is study now, but I love to run. I've done several marathons and an ultra marathon.
What was the last thing you read, digitally or in print?
Finance textbooks, unfortunately.
Carr Harkrader
Pronouns: he/him/his
Associate Board Position: Community Partnerships Committee Chair
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry? Why did you join the Associate Board?
I first got involved with The Night Ministry by volunteering with them through work. I absolutely loved the mission of The Night Ministry, and how they thoughtfully approached the work. I see homelessness and housing insecurity as an issue of basic decency, and I want to support The Night Ministry in providing the necessary care to people who need it. Through more volunteer work I got more deeply involved and joined the Associate Board.
What do you like most about leading your committee?
I love leading the Community Partnerships committee because it involves outreach to others and spreading the word of The Night Ministry in a fun and approachable way.
What do you do for work?
I'm the Director of the Interfaith Leadership Institute at Interfaith Youth Core, which works with colleges and universities to promote interfaith action. I oversee our annual conference for students and higher ed faculty.
What are your hobbies?
I read a ton and write book reviews on the side! I also run and play some ultimate frisbee (poorly).
What was the last thing you read, digitally or in print?
The last thing I read was The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner.
Ludan Wu
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Associate Board Position: Membership Committee Chair
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry?
I recently moved to Chicago and wanted to give back to the community through causes I'm passionate about. I was perusing the greatnonprofits.org website and The Night Ministry stood out to me right away as a great organization with a great mission. I previously spent time in Kenya working with Jhpiego (an international health-care affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University) to support their cause of bringing quality healthcare and improved living conditions to impoverished, underserved communities – with a focus on orphaned and vulnerable children. The cause meant a lot to me, and I was excited to see that I would be able to continue supporting similar causes in my local community through The Night Ministry.
What do you like most about leading your committee?
I am especially appreciative of the opportunity to be the Membership Chair as it allows me to engage with impressive young professionals and get them involved with a great cause!
What do you do for work?
I am Senior Manager, Human Capital Management at Deloitte Consulting. I lead delivery of global HR Transformations for Fortune 500 companies to empower their greatest assets - their people.
What are your hobbies?
Traveling, eating, getting my pilot's license.
What was the last thing you read, digitally or in print?
New York Times Modern Love column.
Alyssa Cullinan
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Associate Board Position: Night Lights Chair
What got you interested in supporting The Night Ministry?
When I moved to Chicago in 2011, I sought out an organization I wanted to align with and join.
What do you like most about leading your committee?
Night Lights is a very exciting committee, keeping us busy throughout the year. We have a lot of fun!
What do you do for work? Human Resources at Invenergy, a clean energy company.
What are your hobbies?
Sewing, gardening, reading.
Was the last thing you read, digitally or in print?
Evicted by Matthew Desmond.