Our Mission & History

Social & Emotional Learning Advocate

Jeanne’s community involvement and career have focused on education including the arts, youth development, and social and emotional learning (SEL) since settling with her husband, Mark, in the Burr Ridge area in 1990 to raise their children.

She has been a consultant to area schools and districts implementing SEL, worked for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and participated on statewide committees of the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership. In 2009, she received a Those Who Excel Award from the IL State Board of Education for her leadership in District 181 to initiate SEL system-wide.

As a board member of the District 181 Foundation, she developed its programming for parents. Prior to her work in K-12 schools, Jeanne taught at the Art Institute of Chicago, area museums, and DePaul University’s School for New Learning.

She attended the University of Michigan (BA) and the University of Chicago (MA).

Jeanne enjoys travelling with her family, biking, and gardening, as well as the arts and assisting English-language learners as a tutor. She is pleased to support the Candor Health Education as it provides essential learning and life skills to students and families.

Director, Economic Development
Burlington Junction Railway

Eric Pitcher, a long time Hinsdale resident, grew up in a loving home but one in which topics like body changes, sexual health, and drug use weren’t openly discussed. His family experienced the downside of not talking more about these issues.

As a father of a boy and a girl who both participated in Candor’s puberty program, he was impacted by the conversations it stimulated at home. He is a strong believer in early education about topics that can shape a student’s life – and in some cases, save it.

Eric is the Regional Manager, Economic Development, at BNSF Railway Company where he has worked since 2005. He develops strategic products and services for industry groups, including rail transport, industrial real estate, electric/gas utilities, economic development agencies. Prior to that, he worked in an economic development role for Northern Indiana Public Service Company and in sales roles with Trigen Energy and Enron Energy Services. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1995.

Eric and his wife Ann enjoy volunteering in the community where they have lived for 25 years. He is an avid platform tennis player, history buff, and is looking forward to being a grandfather in 2022.

Comptroller
Ulbrich

Events Manager
Economic Awareness Council

Kristi Knapp brings over a decade of experience in event planning, operations, and nonprofit management. She has served as the Events Manager at the Economic Awareness Council (EAC) for more than 10 years and expanded her role to include Operations Management in 2020. In this capacity, Kristi oversees the planning and execution of all EAC events, collaborating with key partners and initiatives such as DCFS, Chicago Public Schools, America Saves, Young Illinois Saves, One Summer Chicago, Bank On, and On the Money.

In addition to event management, Kristi plays a vital role in content creation for EAC newsletters, administration of the organization’s scholarship program, volunteer recruitment, and several financial and administrative functions.

Kristi holds a BA in Communications from Indiana University. Before her time at EAC, she worked in the television industry and later transitioned into private corporate event planning. Deeply committed to service, Kristi has been actively involved with organizations including Children’s Home & Aid, the Hinsdale Junior Women’s Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and now Candor Health. She has also held board and committee positions with local schools and community nonprofits.

Kristi’s broad experience in strategic planning, community outreach, and youth-focused initiatives makes her a valuable addition to the Candor Health board.

Former
Attorney

Caroline Jones Shah’s career, volunteer work and community involvement has been focused on law, children and education. She is an attorney and avid local volunteer and organizer. Caroline practiced law in Washington DC and New York City before moving to Chicago in 1999. She practiced in the areas of telecom, regulation, corporate and contract law primarily and became in-house counsel with a DC consulting firm.  Caroline has trained as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line and regularly counsels on their text based suicide hot line. Carolinealso teaches as a substitute in the D63 and D181 school systems.  In the past Caroline has done pro bono legal aid work for the underserved community and has also volunteered as PTO president and vice president at her children’s school in Atlanta, GA, along with various other volunteer roles in the local Dupage county schools.  She attended Muhlenberg College (BA) and American University, The Washington College of Law (JD).  

Caroline has three children, two dogs and has lived with her husband, Neel, in the western suburbs of Illinois, from 1999 to the present, except for a 7 year period in Atlanta Georgia.  She has also had the opportunity to live in the UK, Italy, Belgium, and within the US, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Washington DC.

Caroline enjoys traveling, painting and walking. Caroline is excited to contribute to and work with Candor and hopes to positively impact children’s lives and help promote sensible science based healthcare education.

Independent Mental Health Consultant

Alisa Messana is an Independent Mental Health Consultant. She joined the Candor Health Education Board because she believes strongly in developing empowerment and awareness through education. Candor Health Education offers programming for both children and parents that supports this development. As a community, it takes family, schools and community resources to support and empower our children as they navigate the developmental stages to adulthood. As a Board Member she hopes to impact the interrelation between physical and social emotional health. As a clinical social worker with a background in mental health, she has a passion for educating children and parents about emotional well-being.

Alisa also enjoys spending time with family outdoors, playing family board games; fitness, dance, music and writing.

Property Manager
Banner Real Estate

Key Accounts Director
Clue Points

Andrea Siok is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning medical devices, medical technology, and life sciences. Passionate about healthcare and its impact on families, Andrea brings both professional expertise and a personal appreciation for Candor’s mission. As a mother witnessing her own children navigate the societal pressures and health decisions of adolescence, she is deeply committed to empowering youth with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills Candor promotes.

Throughout her career, Andrea has held senior strategic and commercial leadership roles, including Vice President of Zone Sales, Senior Director of Global Success Enablement, and Senior Director of Global Strategic Accounts. She has championed growth initiatives in sales effectiveness, team and account turnarounds, enterprise sales strategy, and process optimization—helping organizations deliver innovative, patient-centered solutions.

As an Elmhurst resident and mother of three children in grade school and middle school, Andrea is passionate about increasing awareness and education so that young people are prepared to make smart, informed health decisions. She believes strongly in the power of community-based programs to equip children and parents with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate today’s complex health, social, and emotional challenges.

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati and completed post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies at Loyola University Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, traveling, and cheering on her three kids in their activities.