OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS

Ike saunders

Ike Saunders is the Executive and Personal Assistant to Christopher G. Kennedy and his wife, Sheila Berner Kennedy. Ike provides executive support across their respective business and professional endeavors as well as personal support, including household, estate, project, and event management, for Chris and Sheila directly as well as occasionally for members of their families.

Ike began working with Chris in the summer of 2009, when Chris was President of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. Chris retired in June 2011 to start the community-based anti-hunger not-for-profit social business, Top Box Foods with Sheila.

Chris is the former Chairman of the Kennedy Family office, Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc. Chris is responsible for leading the billion-dollar development of the Family’s real estate holdings in Chicago known as Wolf Point. Other real estate projects of Chris' include a multi-family development outside of Boston that includes affordable housing.

Chris currently serves on the boards of Ariel Investments Mutual Fund, Interface, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Leaders Council of Legal Services Corporation. Chris is the Treasurer of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation. Chris is also actively engaged in other civic and nonprofit endeavors

Chris has previously served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois, a gubernatorial-appointed role he held for more than five years. Chris is a former board member for the Chicago Community Trust, Knoll, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

In February 2017, Chris announced that he would be running for governor for the state of Illinois, and during his 13-month campaign, Chris led the charge on critical issues such as addressing racial and socioeconomic inequalities, systemic gun violence and crime, the need to improve funding for and the quality of social service programs, the importance of government reform, the need to improve the state funding model for public schools, and the unfairness of property tax racket that dramatically affected communities of color.

Ike is one of the Founders of REACH and has led the organization and the resources it offers since 2013. In 2019, Ike won the Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence at Chicago's inaugural Admin Awards Gala. This award celebrates the professional who best embodies the “spirit” and proficiency of one of the most admired (former) admin, Colleen Barrett, President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines.

Ike is a member of New York Celebrity Assistants (NYCA) and an alumnus of Be the Ultimate Assistant (BTUA). He has run workshops and been a guest speaker on a variety of assistant-related topics at various conferences, including EA Ignite and the Executive Support Leadership Forum. He and his partner, Adam, live in Chicago, and in his free time, Ike plays both indoor and outdoor volleyball, is learning Italian, and enjoys cooking.

julie kavanaugh

Julie is the Executive Director of Administration; Office of the President and CEO, Chair of Philanthropy/Community Outreach and is the Liaison with the Board of Directors for V2X. She brings 39 years of experience in the administrative field. Since joining the company in September 2020, Julie leads a team of EAs that have implemented the S.A.S.S. Team (Skilled Administration Showing Strength). Under Julie’s leadership, the company was awarded the Founder’s Award through the organization, Admin Awards.

Before joining V2X (formerly Vectrus) for six years, Julie was the Chief of Staff/Executive and Personal Assistant to an International Entrepreneur and New York Times Best Selling Author. During this time, on a project located in Kentucky, Julie was the recipient of the 2018 Troubadour Award for Community Awareness, commissioned as a KY Colonel and Admiral by the
Governor and received the Key to the City from the Mayor. With a focus on giving back, in 2019 she presented the “Julie Kavanaugh Scholarship Award” to a graduating H.S. Female Senior.

Prior to this role, Julie spent two years at Hillshire Brands as the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and Board of Directors. Julie and a team of EAs developed the H.E.A.T. (Hillshire’s Exceptional Admin Team) to further enhance mentorship, creativity, and support in the field.

Stepping into the sports industry, Julie was the Sr. Executive/Personal Assistant to the VP/GM of the Chicago Blackhawks National Hockey League Team. She has a 2010 Stanley Cup Ring and was honored to be part of the celebration with the team at the White House. Leading up to these roles she has supported C-Suite Executives and Boards with York International and Newell Rubbermaid and has experience as a flight attendant with United Airlines.

Julie was recently appointed by the USO to join the USO Colorado Advisory Council. She is a member of the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and a Community Ambassador with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. Most recently Julie has become an advocate and mentor to an Afghan Female Tactical Platoon Soldier (classified team) that served with our U.S. Female Special Forces, who has recently resettled with family in Colorado Springs. Julie is a founding member of R.E.A.C.H. (Regional Executive Assistants Cocktail Hour) in Chicago, a member of N.Y.C.A. (New York Celebrity Assistants) and a member of the Chief of Staff Association out of the U.K. and New York.

Julie is an avid speaker for various national and global organizations focusing on building a strategic partnership for assistants and their Executives, mentorship, and training for Executive/Personal Assistants. To Julie, it is all about providing her experience as a teaching aid to those with a career aspiration in the administrative field. Julie and her husband, Mick and three cats reside in the Colorado Springs area.

Beth Stolberg

Beth is the former Executive and Personal Assistant to the Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, whom she has supported for more than 20 years.

Beth's began her career as a graduate student employee at the U of I's Office of International Criminal Justice, where she cultivated relationships with police departments around the world, sharing information and experiences to make each department better. She worked her way to Publishing Manager for the monthly newsletter and also traveled internationally and around the country to attend criminal justice conferences.

Beth has progressively developed her career as an assistant at a publishing company, where she supported the President, Vice President, Director of Sales, and Director of Publishing; Andersen Business Consulting, which would eventually rebrand as BearingPoint, supporting three Partners and their various associates.

Beth ended up at New World Ventures supporting the EA to the Managing Partner, and as the company grew, investing in more start-ups and hiring more personnel, Beth was promoted to the Partner’s EA. She volunteered at many of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's events to raise money for the new museum, while developing relationships with the survivors who were board members. The company expanded into private capital, and Governor Pritzker was developing his family foundation, with a focus on early childhood education and organizations that supported this. He was also active in politics around the country, all the while raising two small children with his wife.

As Beth became more enmeshed in his personal and professional lives, she developed these relationships and built absolute trust and was asked to the gubernatorial campaign. Shortly after his inauguration, he asked her to fill in as EA for him at the state office, until they could hire someone for that position.

Beth retired from her former position and is open to exploring new opportunities.

lorraine swiatly

Lorraine currently serves as the Executive Assistant to Tom Ricketts, Executive Chairman of the Chicago Cubs and Chairman of Incapital, LLC. Before her twenty-five tenure with Tom, Lorraine was the Office Manager and/or Administrative Assistant for various businesses throughout Chicago, including ABN AMRO, Salomon Brothers, MRSA Architects, and Leo Burnett Advertising.

When not in the office, Lorraine enjoys traveling to Iowa to see her family and having a good meal and a glass of wine with friends. Lorraine resides in Chicago where she frequently struggles to find a parking spot.

Becky davidek

Becky brings over 25 years of experience as an administrative professional providing C-Level and Executive support. She currently supports the EVP - North America, Head of US Growth and the Chief Marketing Officer at ThoughtWorks, Inc., a global software consultancy for organizations with ambitious missions.

Previously she supported various CEOs and board members of several global and regional entrepreneurial organizations. Learning is her top StrengthsFinder trait.

laurie cappitelli

Laurie Cappitelli is an executive assistant with a career spanning 30 years, marked by versatility and excellence in organizational skills. Her professional journey has taken her through a variety of sectors, including investment banking, private equities, supply chain, media, and, most recently, technology, where she is currently positioned at Thoughtworks. Laurie's ability to seamlessly support top-level executives has been a constant throughout her career, adeptly managing the complexities of working with 1 to 6 managers at a time, including owners, partners, and C-Suite executives. Presently, she is the cornerstone for the Global CFO, CTO, CSO, Chief AI Officer, and the Board of Directors at Thoughtworks, showcasing her exceptional capacity in high-stakes environments.

Laurie is also recognized for her role in founding REACH, an initiative designed to strengthen the network among Executive Assistants and foster professional growth. Although she has taken a step back to focus on her other responsibilities, Laurie continues to support REACH in a leadership position, evidencing her ongoing commitment to the EA community and her belief in the importance of mentorship and networking.

Based in the suburbs of Chicago, Laurie's zest for life extends beyond her professional endeavors. She is an avid traveler who delights in immersing herself in new cultures and experiences. Laurie's love for the outdoors is apparent through her enthusiasm for hiking, camping, and biking. Committed to her health and the planet, she follows a plant-based diet, reflecting her dedication to sustainability and wellness.

virginia velez

Virginia Velez assumed the role of Executive Assistant to the founder and CEO of BIG Construction in 2020. Her professional background includes a significant tenure at Northwestern Memorial Foundation, starting in 2001, where she served in the President's Office supporting both the president and senior staff. Her experience is further complemented by over a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, where she held the position of Executive Assistant to the Regional Managing Partner of the Midwest Consulting Practice.

She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and pursued post-graduate education at the University of Illinois.

In addition to her professional commitments, Virginia is a member of a local gardening community where she applies her interest in horticulture to grow a variety of herbs and vegetables. Her involvement in this community reflects a personal commitment to sustainability and health.

vanessa sosa

Vanessa Sosa is a seasoned professional based in Chicago, IL, specializing in C-Suite executive assistance, project management, office administration, and event planning. With a background spanning over two decades, she has excelled in various roles, demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational efficiency and leadership.

Throughout her career, Vanessa has served in pivotal positions, including Office Manager, when she spearheaded a successful office relocation and managed vendor relationships. Her tenure at Chicago Community Trust as Executive Office Manager and Senior Executive Assistant showcased her adeptness as an executive partnership, event coordination, and team building.

Vanessa's expertise extends to her roles as an Executive Assistant across renowned agencies within Publicis Groupe, where she managed intricate schedules, facilitated office expansions, and mentored team members. Her tenure as a Property Manager and Administration Coordinator further underscored her ability to oversee complex operations and foster strong stakeholder relationships.

In addition to her professional achievements, Vanessa is a dedicated volunteer, lending her time to initiatives such as Baby Cuddler at UI Health and community outreach projects. She is also actively involved as a Founder and Board Member of R.E.A.C.H., a network supporting over 400 administrative professionals in Chicago.

Vanessa's commitment to excellence, coupled with her diverse skill set and leadership abilities, positions her as a valuable asset to any organization seeking strategic support and operational efficiency.