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, in its first three years, from supporting four small arts organizations to supporting thirty-four.
As we continue to grow, we are intent on maintaining the passion and the spirit of adventure, collaboration, innovation, and creativity that has animated Innovation 80 since its inception.
OUR TEAM CONCEPT
Innovation 80 incorporates innovation into its structure, much as we seek it in the programs we fund.
Instead of a governing board of directors, Innovation 80 is led by individuals with different perspectives who share a passion for our mission and who collaborate to advance it. We are traveling together on Robert Frost’s “road not taken,” trying to make a difference.
Guiding I80 leadership on our journey are talented advisors and consultants who keep us on mission. And, of course, our grantees are our North Stars.
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 seventy literary journals and a number of 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 as a member of 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
Assistant Executive Director
Lauren Gray has more than 18 years of teaching experience in Chicago Public Schools 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. Her work in Chicago Public Schools includes teaching second through fifth grades, working as a reading specialist, facilitating writing workshops for new teachers, organizing a grant writing committee, and serving 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.
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.
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, in Chicago. He teaches mask performance at DePaul University, stage combat at College of DuPage, and serves as Development Director at Redtwist Theatre.
Advisors
We have created a council of younger advisors to keep us connected to our grantees and broaden our perspectives through their diversity. Each of these outstanding individuals is helping craft the future direction of Innovation 80.
Darcy Addison has worked with numerous arts, non-profit, and philanthropic organizations; including the Chicago Academy for the Arts, Collaboraction Theatre Company, Sustain Arts, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, the Irving Harris Foundation, Gallery 37/After School Matters, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Her career has focused primarily on programs for youth from under-resourced neighborhoods, utilizing the arts to create positive social change. Darcy is currently an MBA candidate.
Ayo Ayodele, vice president of Bernstein Global Wealth Management, has nearly two decades of experience in finance and investing. Passionate about giving back to his community, Mr. Ayodele serves on the board of FreshLens, and has worked closely with LINK, which provides mentoring to disadvantaged African-American youth in Chicago.
Chanel Coney is the recipient of Crain’s 20 in their 20’s, and of the Emerging Philanthropist Award from The League of Chicago Theatres. She serves on the boards of Victory Gardens Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Forward Momentum, and the Leadership Advisory Committee at the Art Institute. She founded the Chicago Artists Coalition Coney Family Grant. Chanel is Director of Marketing for Chicago Fundamental Investment Partners which helps young people from underserved communities reach their potential through academic support, mentoring, and work experience.
Tregg Duerson is Affordable Housing Development Senior Associate at Related, responsible for managing real estate development. He is the former Chief Operating Officer of the Rebuild Foundation, which transforms neighborhoods and strengthens communities through art, cultural development, and social engagement. Before that he worked in the financial industry at J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs. & Co.
Alphonse Gray serves as First Vice President and Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley. He and his partners were named as one of the 2022 Forbes Top Wealth Management Teams. Alphonse was also a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence 2019 Honoree. He is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with degrees in Finance, Information Systems, and Operations Management. His volunteer work includes Working in the Schools (WITS) and The Night Ministry. He also serves as treasurer and sits on the Board of Ignition Community Glass, a grantee of Innovation 80.
Shermin Kruse has nearly two decades of experience working in strategic development and litigation as an attorney for international and Fortune 500 Companies. She is an acclaimed author and speaker, a professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law teaching global transactions and leadership courses, as well as founder and director of multiple local and international charities, including Pasfarda Art and Culture Exchange and the American Writers Museum. Shermin is an Iranian immigrant who spent her childhood amidst war and religious oppression.
Absera Melaku is a public health practitioner with a demonstrated history of working in nonprofit, government, and academia. Her areas of focus include health equity and social justice, adolescent health and youth development, and community-based public health programming, implementation, and evaluation. Absera is deeply committed to serving her local community. She sits on the national board of Avodah and mentors refugee youth though GirlForward.
Abel Ochoa has over a dozen years of experience in youth development, civic engagement and community outreach. As Executive Director of College Readiness and Access at the University of Chicago, Abel helps expand and develop new and existing college readiness and access initiatives for Chicago area high school students. Abel’s personal and professional experiences fuel his desire to empower young people to realize their full potential. Abel is a native of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Heather 'Byrd' Roberts is an award-winning poet, strategic creative catalyst, educator, and author of Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black with over 15 years of artistic bridge-building experience. Byrd is the creator and founder of Byrd's World, built to inspire and transform lives through creativity. With a bachelor's degree in performance art, a master's degree in organizational leadership, and a certificate in spoken word pedagogy, her career led her to social justice advocacy, programming, and community outreach. Byrd is currently the director of education at Young Chicago Authors, where she manages up to eighteen poetry residencies. Her favorite words are balloon and bubble.
Jessica Dean Turner is an actress, teacher, and a native of Chicago's West Side. She is a faculty member of the Chicago High School for the Arts, and is a teaching artist at Victory Gardens, Northwestern's National High School Institute, DePaul's Summer High School Intensive, and After School Matters. She holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois and an MA from NYU in Educational Theatre. Jessica is an avid reader and a hard-working cat mom.
Apprentices
Innovation 80 partners with ChiArts (Chicago’s public high school for the Arts) by sponsoring the Innovation 80/ChiArts Apprenticeship Program for its grant recipients.
Grant recipients who choose to participate employ a recent ChiArts graduate to serve as an apprentice to help further the recipient’s mission. Karina Quintana, Director of Programs at the ChiArts Foundation, assists in finding and matching candidates for each position. Innovation 80 provides funding to help pay the apprentice’s salary. The program provides relevant experience for each apprentice and enhances the grant recipient’s partnership with Innovation 80.
Consultants
Innovation 80 has assembled a group of people who have been active and well-respected in various parts of the Chicago arts community. These consultants provide advice to Innovation 80 based on their extensive experience and foster connections that will facilitate our work.
Phillip Bahar is Executive Director of the Chicago Humanities Festival and holds Board and advisory positions with Arts Alliance Illinois and American Alliance of Museums. Prior to joining the Festival he was Chief of Operations and Administration at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
Lewis Collens served as president of the Illinois Institute of Technology for seventeen years and, prior to that, was dean of the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Mr. Collens has also served in leadership roles for The Partnership for New Communities, Leadership Greater Chicago, and The Economic Club of Chicago.
Karen “Kiki” Connell is an interdisciplinary artist and Creative Director of an agency that does event design, branding, motion graphics, and set design. She has an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design where she studied video, painting and installation. Her art work has been widely published in books and magazines, including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and Elle Decor and has appeared in movies and television shows. She has had exhibits in museums in the U.S. and Ireland.
Jan Feldman is Executive Director of Lawyers for the Creative Arts whose 1800 lawyers provide pro bono assistance to clients in all areas of the arts. Mr. Feldman has been board president of non-profit arts boards, including the People's Music School, Arts Bridge and Mostly Music Chicago.
Reshorna M. Fitzpatrick is the Executive Pastor of the Stone Temple Church in Chicago’s North Lawndale. She chairs a committee of organizations working to beautify neighborhoods and expand opportunities through entrepreneurship, education, social and environmental engagement. She serves on the boards of Faith in Place, a non-profit environmental organization that works with houses of worship across Illinois and I Am Able, a non-profit family counseling center. Reshorna and her husband, Bishop Derrick Fitzpatrick, were acknowledged in Time Magazine as 2020 Heroes for their intensified support to the North Lawndale Community.
Capers C. Funnye, Jr., serves as rabbi for Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of Chicago, one of the largest black synagogues in America, and is Chief Rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis. He has served as a consultant to The Du Sable Museum of African American History, The Chicago Historical Society, The Spertus Museum of Judaica, and the Afro-American Museum.
Bill Gerstein, a South Side native and resident, has had a long career in community building in Chicago. He served as a teacher and then a principal at several neighborhood high schools for over 18 years. Before that, he owned and operated a southside supermarket, Mr. G Finer Foods, and ran a Bronzeville organization that promoted community economic development. Bill has volunteered on non-profit boards including the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Centers for New Horizons, City Year Chicago, the Firehouse Arts Center, the Resource Center, and the Seminary Coop Bookstore. In recent years Bill initiated an effort for Chicago Public Schools to elevate community input for school improvement.
Derek Goldman is Chair of the Department of Performing Arts and Director of the Theater & Performance Studies Program at Georgetown University, where he holds a joint appointment in the School of Foreign Service. He is co-Founding Director of the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics. He is an award-winning international stage director, producer, festival director, playwright, adapter, developer of new work, teacher, and published scholar, whose artistic work has been seen around the country, Off-Broadway and at numerous major regional theaters, as well as around the world.
Ronald Grais is Chair of the ChiArts Foundation, which supports ChiArts, Chicago’s only tuition-free, pre-professional arts high school. For more than three decades, Ron has been active with Thresholds, Illinois’ largest provider of mental health services, including serving as president of its Board of Directors.
Gary T. Johnson, is the Board Chair of the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. As immediate past President of the Chicago History Museum, he focused on community outreach and building the institution’s capacity to serve its mission of sharing Chicago’s stories. Mr. Johnson has a record of leadership in civil rights and justice reform, and is a long-time member of the Radio Committee of WFMT.
Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim, is president, chief executive officer, and professor of music at Columbia College Chicago, which, with almost 7000 students, is one of the largest presenters of cultural events in Chicago.
Susan Kiphart continues the work of her partnership with her late husband, Richard Kiphart. Together they supported and served on boards of Lyric Opera of Chicago, Poetry Foundation, WTTW, Joffrey Ballet, Columbia College, Erikson Institute, Merit School of Music, Music Institute of Chicago, Family Focus, Ingenuity, and the University of Chicago’s Center for Global Health.
Sola Olopade, M.D., pulmonologist and Dean for Academic Affairs at The University of Chicago medical school, has twice won the American College of Chest Physicians’ Humanitarian Award for his work on stemming HIV/AIDS among university students in Nigeria (2006) and for his work on protecting women and children from the hazards of exposure to indoor pollution (2016).
Eboo Patel was a member of President Barack Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships. He is an American Ismaili of Gujarati Indian heritage and founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit that aims to promote interfaith cooperation.
Duane Quaini (3/30/45 - 6/7/22). An early supporter of Innovation 80, Duane was a beloved and long-time friend. He served Innovation 80 as a trusted advisor on matters of its strategic development.
John Schmidt is chair of Access Living, Chicago’s leading disability rights organization; a life trustee of the Chicago Symphony; vice chair of Cedille Records; and an officer and executive board member of the Gun Violence Prevention Action Committee. John is a partner in the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP. He served under President Clinton as Ambassador and Chief US Negotiator for the global trade negotiations that created the World Trade Organization and as the Associate Attorney General of the United States.
Geoffrey Stone is a professor of law at The University of Chicago, having served previously as Dean of the law school and as Provost of the University. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a member of the National Advisory Council of the ACLU, and has served as Chair of the Board of both the American Constitution Society and the Chicago Children’s Choir.
Paul Sznewajs is the founding Executive Director of Ingenuity, whose mission is to ensure that every student, in every grade, in every school, has access to the arts as part of a well-rounded education. Paul has nearly two decades of senior leadership experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. As a fundraiser, nonprofit strategist, creative director, and arts advocate, he has been honored by the White House and is a leader in Chicago’s arts and culture sector.
Scott Turow has written eleven best-selling works of fiction which have been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies, and been adapted into movies and television projects. He has frequently contributed essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
Philanthropic Advisor
We are fortunate to have Abbe Temkin as a member of our team. Abbe serves as a Senior Philanthropic Advisor at The Chicago Community Trust, which houses the Innovation 80 donor-advised fund. Abbe has been with the Trust for over nine years.
Sister Organization
While Innovation 80 focuses on Chicago, we recognize that organizations around the world confront similar issues and are developing creative ways to address them. We can all learn from, and be inspired by, each other.
We have become “sisters” with an extraordinary organization, The Amadeus Foundation, founded in the drug-infested city of Medellin, Colombia, where it has been teaching children music for thirty years and enriching their lives.
We invite you to view the attached inspiring TED Talk, “The Strength of Hope,” by Amadeus’ visionary leader, Juangui Ocampo.
One day, we hope to be able to connect students from The Amadeus Foundation to some Chicago students engaged by a similar Innovation 80 arts organization.