Senior Leadership
Cherese Ledet, President/CEO
(she/her/hers)
Cherese Ledet, has served as President/CEO since 2023. Prior to joining YWCA Evanston/North Shore, Cherese served in leadership positions with YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, where she implemented new initiatives, secured resources, built partnerships, and developed innovative programs that address the community’s needs.
Kristen White, Chief Innovation Officer
(she/her/hers)
Kristen White joined YWCA in 2014. Her experience includes more than 18 years in the nonprofit sector working on issues of educational equity and family educational supports nationally, regionally, and in Chicago. Before joining YWCA Evanston/North Shore, she launched a business serving families with young children. Prior to that, Ms. White held a leadership position at Children’s Home & Aid, building a nationally recognized community schools program serving schools across Chicagoland.
Kathy Slaughter, Chief Development Officer
(she/her/hers)
Kathy Slaughter, Chief Development Officer, has been at YWCA Evanston North Shore since 2009. During her tenure, contributions from individuals have increased significantly, resulting in a more diverse funding stream for the organization. In addition, new fundraising programs have been introduced including major gifts, monthly giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, and planned giving. Prior to joining YWCA, Ms. Slaughter worked in corporate marketing and sales, and in marketing and grants management at the Evanston Community Foundation.
Laura Moorehead, Vice President, Finance
(she/her/hers)
Erin Venable, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
(she/her/hers)
Erin Venable, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, joined YWCA Evanston/North Shore in 2022. Her experience brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications focused on brand identity, building awareness, and enacting change. Prior to joining YWCA, she worked in strategic marketing roles for the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life (APL) initiative, Black Enterprise, Blackbaud, HBO and CompTIA, amongst others.
Senior Staff
Kristin Drake (she/her/hers)
Director, Economic Advancement
Peter Caragher (he/him/his)
Director, Flying Fish Aquatics
Hillary Douin (she/her/hers)
Director, Domestic Violence
(If you need immediate domestic violence support, please call our 24-hr. toll-free crisis line at 877-718-1868)
Tiffany McDowell (she/her/hers)
Director, Equity Institute
Jordan Rucker (he/him/his)
Director, Operations
Sherri Farris (she/her/hers)
Director, Impact Measurement
Trimmy Stamell (she/her/hers)
Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Blair DeHann (she/her/hers)
Director, Individual Giving