Chicago Bridge has current and past leaders that have been and still are an influential aspect of the group. The Chicago Bridge Leadership is flat,  there is no hierarchy. All members have influence in what the group does, and how it moves and grows. The group is member driven, but the leadership helps to lead the group in directions that are shown as an interest by others.

The Leadership Core is a 2 year commitment. Any Chicago Bridge member can apply to volunteer as a Core Leader. The Blog Team and Mentorship Committee are trained and commit to one year of service as leaders to specific Chicago Bridge initiatives.

Other leadership opportunities include, presenting or coordinating a monthly Chicago Bridge event. If you are interested to learn about how to become a leader of the Chicago Bridge email chicagobridge@gmail.com

2009-2011 Leadership Core

Jaimie Robinson, Communications Director-
Jaimie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL and received her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. As a Hartford Scholar Jaimie interned at Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Currently she works in the Alzheimer’s Association, National Office in Family Programs managing and developing in-person and virtual/online programs for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. With the help of the blog team, Jaimie developed and maintains the Chicago Bridge Blog & Website.

Gayle Shier, Student Outreach Director-
Gayle Shier, MSW, attended the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She has experience in non-profit management, grant writing, policy analysis, and research. Gayle is currently working at Rush University Medical Center’s Older Adult Programs.

Michael Kocher, Operations Director-
Michael Kocher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL and  attended the Jane Addams College of Social Work. He has worked in a variety of settings including hospice, long term care, homeless services, and bereavement. Michael is currently working at CJE SeniorLife, Lieberman Center.

Alix Burns, Events Director-
Alixandra Burns a licensed social worker in Chicago, Illinois. Alix attended the University of Michigan with a specialization in working with older adults. She has experience in hospitals, long term care, and hospice as well as nonprofit management and research. She is currently working at Saint Anthony Hospital. Alix is also an Editor for the Chicago Bridge Blog

Courtney Bouker, Professionals Outreach Director-
Courtney is the Health Services Administrator at Three Crowns Park in Evanston, IL. She has experience in various areas of the aging field, but has spent most of her time working with culture change and people with dementia. She is currently the Outreach Director for Chicago Bridge.

The Blog Team Leaders

Kristen Pavle-
Kristen is a licensed social worker currently living and working in Chicago, Illinois. She works as a policy analyst for Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, Center for Long-Term Care Reform. Her work focuses on assuring Illinois achieves an affordable, accessible, comprehensive and adequate long-term care system that is responsive to older adults, and reflects predominantly home and community based care.

Bridget Murtha-
Bridget Murtha is a licensed social worker in Chicago, Illinois. She works full-time as a Case Manager at Misericordia where she coordinates services for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. She works part-time at Metropolitan Home Health Care as a Medical Social Worker. Bridget also serves as a Visiting Volunteer for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.

Jaimie Robinson-
Jaimie is a Licensed Social Worker in Chicago, IL and received her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. As a Hartford Scholar Jaimie interned at Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Currently she works in the Alzheimer’s Association, National Office in Family Programs managing and developing in-person and virtual/online programs for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. Jaimie is also the Communications Director of the Chicago Bridge.

The Chicago Bridge Blog Editors

Alix Burns-
Alixandra Burns a licensed social worker in Chicago, Illinois. Alix attended the University of Michigan with a specialization in working with older adults. She has experience in hospitals, long term care, and hospice as well as nonprofit management and research. She is currently working at Saint Anthony Hospital. Alix is also the Events Director for the Chicago Bridge.

Danielle Dodson-
Danielle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Masters in Social Work from George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Danielle currently works as Care Navigator/Clinical Supervisor for the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter, where she counsels individuals and families facing dementia.

Heidi Enriquez-
Heidi received her MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2009. Her experience includes case management with older adults and hospice/bereavement. She currently works as a Senior Editor at Marketwire, a newswire service offering press release distribution.

Mark Schmidt-
Mark Schmidt has focused exclusively on reverse mortgages since 2004. He has guided hundreds of seniors through the reverse mortgage process. Mark has a strong financial background with an MBA from Loyola University and 12 years of experience as a financial analyst with Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. He was designated a Certified Senior Advisor in 2007 by completing additional studies of the social, physical, and financial aspects of aging.

Abby Smith-

The Mentorship Program Committee

Read more about the Mentorship Program

Gayle Shier-
Gayle Shier, MSW, attended the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She has experience in non-profit management, grant writing, policy analysis, and research. Gayle is currently working at Rush University Medical Center’s Older Adult Programs. Gayle is also the Student Outreach Director of the Chicago Bridge.

Kristen Pavle-
Kristen is a licensed social worker currently living and working in Chicago, Illinois. She works as a policy analyst for Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, Center for Long-Term Care Reform. Her work focuses on assuring Illinois achieves an affordable, accessible, comprehensive and adequate long-term care system that is responsive to older adults, and reflects predominantly home and community based care. Kristen is also a Blog Leader.

Courtney Bouker-
Courtney is the Health Services Administrator at Three Crowns Park in  Evanston, IL.  She has experience in various areas of the aging field,  but has spent most of her time working with culture change and people  with dementia.  She is currently the Outreach Director for Chicago  Bridge.

Dawn Robinson-
Dawn Robinson is a second-year graduate student at University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Dawn will be completing my Master of Arts degree at SSA in June 2010. Since coming to Chicago, she has had great exposure to social service in the field of Aging working with organizations such as AgeOptions, North Shore Senior Center, and Rush University Medical Center. She feels that it is wonderful working in Chicago where there are such innovative programs to support Older Adults!

Claudia Cook-

Peggy Best-
Peggy Best is a licensed social worker in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Masters in Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She has experience working in long-term care settings, with persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities and as a social worker in an Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit. Peggy currently works with the national office of the Alzheimer’s Association.

2008-2009 Leadership Core

Kate Krajci, Communications Director-
A social worker by training, Kate manages the Anne Byron Waud Patient and Family Resource Center for Healthy Aging at Rush University Medical Center. She also provides individual mental health counseling for older adults and help to coordinate Rush’s free membership program for health and aging, Rush Generations.

Rob Mapes, Professional Outreach Director-
Rob is the Manager of Community and Agency Relations at AgeOptions, the area agency on aging for suburban Cook County. He has a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan with an emphasis on the management of programs for older adults. Rob volunteers for One Brick and Little Brothers–Friends of the Elderly. He also serves on the board of the Rogers Park Community Council.

Karen Kolb, Events Director-

Cynthia Phon, Student Outreach Director-