Associate Consultant Kathryn Williams recently had the chance to sit down with Stephanie Lieber, Executive Director of Imerman Angels, to learn more about the organization’s recent addition of 15 new board members. In this interview, they explore the new board members’ diverse backgrounds and skillsets, 2021 goals, and commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all.

Congrats on the new board members! Can you tell us a little about them? 

We have 15 new board members that we brought on in December. The new board reflects our community in a more meaningful and credible way with the addition of more women and people of color who bring a diverse set of backgrounds and skillsets to the organization. 

Our board includes professionals working across many industries including health, HR, finance, real estate, cannabis, food, and more. The demographic breakdown of our board has shifted from approximately 90% white, to 28% Black, 16% Asian, 3% Latino. We have a total of 12 female board members and 20 male board members. Caralynn Nowinski Collens, M.D is our chair-elect. 

Below is a list of the new Imerman Angels board members. A complete list of board members can be accessed here.

• Annie Bao, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

• Jarietta Benton, Owner and Founder, JBeyond Fitness

• Valerie Beck, CEO and Founder, Chocolate Uplift

• Tai Duncan, Vice President of Community Integration, Cresco Labs

• Melanie Giglio, Real Estate Broker, Compass Real Estate

• Lourdes Gonzalez, Director, Workmate Experience, Workday

• Bonnie Gordon, Director, WBA Relationship, Vitamin Angels

• Dr. Lauren Green, MD, Section Chief of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology at University of Illinois Hospital

• Ian Mahoney 

• Joy Lyu Monahan, Associate Director, Legal Diversity and Outside Council Programs, AbbVie

• Sharbel Shamoon, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending, Guaranteed Rate

• Daryl Sneed, Executive Director, SOUNDOFF

• Julius Talley, Managing Director, James Capital, LLC

• Dr. Garth Walker, MD, MPH, Attending Physician, Jesse Brown Veteran Affairs Hospital and Deputy Director at the Illinois Department of Public Health

• Dr. Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, Associate Executive Director, Mile Square Health Center

What goals does the Imerman Angels Board of Directors have for 2021?

Our board’s goal is to help advance the mission of the organization.

Imerman Angels Mission: Provide comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, one-on-one connection with someone who has been there.

Strategic goals and plans include continuing to serve the cancer community in a meaningful way. It’s important for us to reflect on the community we serve and welcome the community in a way that’s deliberate. We recognize that having a board that's focused on DEI prevents blindspots, reflects our values of being inclusive and being a supportive and welcoming community. We have to be thinking about how we’re reaching out to communities that wouldn't find IA on their own. 

What qualities/traits did Imerman Angels look for when building a successful board and team?

Someone who understands and cares deeply about our mission, and is committed to ensuring nobody endures cancer alone. Many of our board and team members often have some type of personal experience or connecting with cancer. We’re looking for people who can roll up their sleeves and help us improve the quality and quantity of matches we make. They should be passionate and be advocates and ambassadors of our work.

Why is it important to Imerman Angels to have a diverse Board of Directors? What does DEI mean to Imerman Angels?

A diverse board helps us connect, reflect, and welcome the community we serve. Our organization aspires to help people feel more supported, more hopeful, and better equipped to face cancer. We want to make people feel welcomed with meaningful matches. For us, DEI means that anyone who has cancer, any kind, any place has the opportunity to get support. It’s important that our network and community of supporters are rich in experiences, backgrounds, and lifestyles so that when someone comes to us we can match them in ways that make them feel comfortable.

How is the Imerman Angels team fostering inclusion among its new board members? 

We’re starting with onboarding and orientation. It’s important for our board to understand the Imerman Angels story, history, and culture. We’ll stay connected with them as a class of new board members. We believe that boards that are engaged and connected are that much more committed to advancing the organization.

To learn more about Imerman Angels, how to get support, become a mentor, and how to get involved, visit their website: https://imermanangels.org/