Over dinner in November, 2019, three Brandeis classmates, Arnie and Carol Kanter and Janis Mendelsohn, talked about how they might do more to support charitable organizations friends had founded. Their liberal arts education had fostered a shared conviction that the arts enrich and change lives.

By February, 2020, Innovation 80 was born.

Arnie and Carol serve as co-executive directors of Innovation 80. Janis remains an active participant and advisor. Not long after I80’s creation, The Elizabeth Louise Smith Fund (Jon Will, Trustee) began partnering with Innovation 80 to jointly fund small arts organizations that support underserved populations in Chicago.

Due to the kindness and generosity of friends and strangers Innovation 80 has grown from supporting four small arts organizations to supporting over fifty. In the five years since its inception, Innovation 80 has raised over $2.5 million to further its mission.

LEADERSHIP

Co-Executive Directors 

Arnie and Carol Kanter

Arnie is a writer and photographer and, in former lives, a lawyer and consultant. His thirteen books include satirical works about large law firms, serious books on interviewing and recruitment and Is God a Cubs Fan? a book that explores the relationship between religion and baseball. Arnie’s photographic work can be viewed at arniekanter.zenfolio.com.

Arnie has taught at Northwestern University School of Law, served as president of The Chicago Council of Lawyers and acted as counsel to the drafting committee at the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention. He holds a B.A. from Brandeis University, a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law, and an LL.M. from The London School of Economics.

Carol’s poems have appeared in more than ninety literary journals and anthologies. Finishing Line Press published her first two chapbooks, “Out of Southern Africa,” and “Chronicle of Dog.” Peterborough Poetry Project published her third, “Of Water.”

Carol has a strong interest in theater and has served on the Joseph Jefferson Committee in Chicago. Carol is a psychotherapist in private practice. She has a B.A. in biology from Brandeis University, an M.A. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University. Her book And Baby Makes Three (Apocryphile Press) explores the emotional transition to parenthood. 

Together, Arnie and Carol have co-authored four books about their travels around the world that pair Carol’s poetry with Arnie’s photography. dualartspress.com

New Executive Leadership for Innovation 80 2.0

H.R. and Lenese Reynolds

In 2025, Arnie and Carol announced they would be sunsetting their roles at Innovation 80. HR and Lenese Reynolds will be leading the organization as a 501(c)3 called Innovation 80 2.0.

Lenese Reynolds is a supporter of the arts, an educator and published author, and the founder of a national S.T.E.A.M. consultancy. She serves on advisory boards with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Shedd Aquarium, advancing education, creativity, and community leadership.

Harold (H.R.) Reynolds received an MBA from Harvard Business School, then spent 25 years at McDonald Corporation in multiple leadership roles. He is a CPA, and Principal and Co-Founder of Carter & Reynolds Group, serving as a consultant for executives in large corporations, leading nonprofits, and government agencies.

Assistant Executive Director

Lauren Gray has more than 18 years of teaching experience in North Lawndale and West Rogers Park. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters in Reading Education from Concordia University. In Chicago Public Schools she taught second through fifth grades, worked as a reading specialist, facilitated writing workshops for new teachers, organized a grant writing committee, and served as an active member of the school leadership committee. Prior to assuming the role of assistant executive director, Lauren served as an advisor to Innovation 80.

Operations Manager

Michael Dias is an actor, physical theater maker and educator. Working with the award-winning Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre for 9 years, he developed and performed plays and workshops to promote healthy choices for Southern California’s underserved youth. Michael has performed administrative duties for several theater companies, and has managed websites for actors and theater training programs. He holds a MFA in Acting and has completed a certificate program in Social Emotional Arts. He is a company member of Proboscis Theatre Company and Redtwist Theatre, in Chicago, and he actively performs and choreographs movement and violence at various Chicago venues. He teaches physical theatre and stage combat at Southern Oregon University, DePaul University and College of DuPage.

Ambassador

Kay Osborne served as Innovation 80’s Executive Director from September, 2021, to May, 2023. As General Manager she had led teams that brought the television company TVJ to the top of its field. As a public advocate, she prompted the Jamaican government to pass the Child Care and Protection Act. A playwright and painter, Kay’s plays have been performed in Chicago, New York, London, and Toronto. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry. Kay has a B.A. from Northwestern University and an MBA in international business.

Counselor

Deborah Epstein is a consultant to foundations and not-for-profit organizations in arts and culture and social services. She co-founded and was the executive director of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, a community arts organization and publisher of the Journal of Ordinary Thought (JOT). She served on a team of consultants to the MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at Prince for more than ten years. Epstein is the former chair of Illinois Humanities and the Seminary Co-op Bookstores and has served or serves on the boards of Court Theatre, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, Invisible Institute, and Reading Between the Lines.

Counselor

Mark Kelly served for five years as Commissioner of DCASE, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events of the City of Chicago, retiring in November, 2022. During his tenure the amount of DCASE grants and the number of grantees expanded dramatically. Prior to his tenure at DCASE, Mark was with Columbia College for 32 years, most recently as vice president of Student Success. Mark uses his vast experience to advise arts organizations on a pro bono basis.