Jennifer Aguilar is a dynamic leader and the Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. With a strong commitment to promoting and supporting the growth of businesses in the Little Village community, Jennifer leverages the area’s unique cultural identity to create new opportunities. Her role encompasses overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of all activities within the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and the Little Village Special Service Area #25.

With over ten years of experience, Jennifer has a proven track record in maintaining company brand image and reputation through effective stakeholder relationship management. Her forward-thinking approach has yielded successful outcomes in both public and private sectors. Previously, Jennifer served as a Community Outreach Specialist at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network, where she worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation among underserved communities in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Additionally, Jennifer’s experience as a Marketing Specialist for Hispanic Cheese Makers- Nuestro Queso allowed her to excel in managing promotional events, campaigns, and private label clients.

Jennifer’s career has provided her with valuable insights in nonprofit management, business marketing, and strategic planning. Born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, Jennifer remains deeply connected to her community. Her dedication shines through her work with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, where she continuously strives to give back and make a positive impact. Jennifer has served in various leadership roles, including as board Secretary for the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, board director for the Foundation of Little Village, and board member of the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation. As a founding member of DePaul University’s Latinx Alumni Chapter Committee, Jennifer actively contributes to fostering connections and opportunities for her fellow alumni.

In recognition of her achievements and contributions, Jennifer was honored in 2022 by Negocios Now, a prominent business publication, as one of their “Los 26 de la 26” (The 26 of 26th Street) young leaders in the Little Village community.

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science & history from DePaul University, as well as a master’s degree in public policy and strategic writing and advancement for nonprofits from DePaul University’s School of Public Service. Apart from her professional endeavors, Jennifer enjoys traveling, attending live music events, and exploring the city’s diverse culinary scene.

With her extensive experience, unwavering passion for her community, and dedication to fostering economic growth, Jennifer Aguilar is a catalyst for positive change in the Little Village neighborhood and beyond.

Dr. Aneziokoro is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine with more than 20 years of medical practice experience. Known as “Dr. Ogb,” he completed medical school at the University of Ibadan College of Medical Sciences (Nigeria), residency training at Saint Joseph Hospital (Chicago) and fellowship at the University of Chicago Hospitals – Pritzker School of Medicine.

J. Kevin Cmunt is the founder and past Executive Director of the Illinois Transplant Fund (ITF). Prior to starting the ITF, he served as President/CEO of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network. Kevin is a strong believer in equal access to organ transplantation and is involved in several organizations aimed at improving the organ donation system. Prior to his work at Gift of Hope, Kevin was an Executive Vice President for AlloSource, a non-profit tissue bank. He is the past President of the American Association of Tissue Banks and has served on the boards for various healthcare, government and non-profit organizations. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and the Illinois Institute of Technology, respectively.   

Gerardo Huerta is a Senior Outreach Coordinator at the National Kidney Foundation Illinois. Since his arrival in 2016, Gerardo has demonstrated passion to assist patients with Renal Disease; he has educated thousands of dialysis recipients in the path to organ transplantation. Furthermore, Huerta spends much time on prevention, and he has established a network with a group of professionals to promote kidney health.

To accomplish NKFI’s goals, Huerta hosts the monthly educational program called: “Salud Renal y Más en Chicago” as well as the Podcast “El Viaje Continua”. In these programs, specialized professionals share their knowledge with the general public to demystify Chronic Kidney Disease and to also promote organ transplantation.

Twice a year, Huerta coordinates and facilitates “Viviendo con Enfermedad Renal y Trasplante.” The only state’s event where individuals waiting for a kidney can share their stories, talk to other patients that have gone through the process of receiving an organ, and learn about the different options they may have. Huerta’s passion and willingness to walk the extra mile has motivated many professionals to assist and volunteer their services.

Gerardo developed her passion and knowledge from personal experience. His wife spent six and a half years on dialysis prior to receiving a kidney transplant on Christmas Day 2019. Gerardo was by her side along the journey and decided to look for a career that allows him to serve the Latino community in similar situations.

Besides his association with NKFI, he keeps ties with the Illinois Public Health Association Pandemic Health Navigator Program and continues doing outreach in Latino communities throughout the State of Illinois with many partner organizations, including the Consulate General de Mexico in Chicago, and the different Mexican state Federations. Gerardo and his wife have three adult children.

Dr. Ketel is a retired transplant surgeon, most recently serving at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She has held positions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, among other posts. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Illinois Transplant Society, the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Association of Women Surgeons. She has served on the board of Gift of Hope since 2008.

A skilled executive with a valuable mix of financial, operational and international experience including aligning financial support with operational goals, process improvements, project management and Six Sigma.

Dr. Andres Serrano is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine with more than 25 years of medical practice experience. He chairs the Medical Review Board of The Renal Network/ESRD Network 10 and serves on the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois board of directors. Dr. Serrano is an assistant professor in medicine for Rosalind Franklin University at Chicago Medical School Mount Sinai Hospital (Chicago) and former Chief Resident -Internal Medicine at Saint Francis Hospital (Evanston).

Dr. Serrano completed medical school at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), residency for internal medicine at Saint Francis Hospital (Evanston) and nephrology and hypertension fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago).

As Executive Director for the Gift of Hope Community Foundation and the Illinois Transplant Fund, Audrena Spence provides organizational leadership and operational management of philanthropy strategies, initiatives and projects for grants, major gift campaigns, fund development and partnerships that serve to increase contributions to the Community Foundation, research programs and the Illinois Transplant Fund.

Prior to joining Gift of Hope, Spence served as executive director for the Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center. Under her leadership and through new development and partnerships, the Calumet Center’s annual budget nearly doubled from 2007 to 2021. She also founded the Metropolitan Leadership Academy designed to enhance, enrich, identify and develop future leaders within the organization.

Spence has received numerous awards and recognitions for her civic engagement including selection to the Leadership of Greater Chicago Fellows Class of 2013; the Rainbow PUSH Dr. King/President Johnson Faith in Politics: Game Changer Visionary Service Award; the Chicago Defender’s Women of Excellence; State Farm’s “Go To Bat” Community Service Award; the National PanHellenic Council Chicago’s Community Service Leadership Award; and the All Stars Project of Chicago Community Spirit Award.

She also completed the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership program. Her active civic involvement has included work with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers, The Links, Inc. and others. Spence holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Harry Wilkins, MD is President/CEO of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network. In that role, he provides overall leadership for the organization, guides its strategic direction and ensures that the organization stays true to its mission — to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. Before joining Gift of Hope in October 2020, Dr. Wilkins served as Attending Acute Care Surgeon for Quincy Medical Group. Dr. Wilkins holds a Doctor of Medicine from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and a Master’s in Healthcare Management from Harvard.

Demetrio “D” García is an experienced GLOCAL (Global and Local) executive with more than 30 years of national and international experience in business, engineering, operations, and business development. García is a seasoned road warrior who has worked in more than 150 cities and lived on three different continents. He is an engineer turned entrepreneur and is a partner and head of Global Business Development with Golden Hill Foods, a company specializing in food ingredients, spices and flavors serving food manufacturers and supplying the industrial chain.

In 2018, García was awarded the Hispanic Power award by the publication Who’s Who. A Chicago native and graduate of the University of Illinois, he is a master networker and connector, and continues to invest locally and nationally in civic, business and nonprofit organizations, as well as mentoring young people and professionals to that they are successful. García lives in Chicago with his wife, who is an educator, and has two adult children.

García serves as a member of the Board of Directors of numerous organizations including, Illinois Transplant Fund, Boy Scouts of America Advisory Council, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Lurie Hospital, ALPFA-Asociación de Profesionales Latinos para América Capitulo Chicago, Barrio Foundation (From the Barrio to the Boardroom), and Think Virtues Inc. Education, Leadership and Character Development.

Omar is a seasoned radio DJ and host with experience in the Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee markets who also specializes in marketing for real estate, insurance and nonprofit organizations including coordinating large events and festivals. Omar has combined this expertise with the desire to help the immigrant community and is passionate about saving lives through organ transplantation.