Our people

Megan is the Managing Attorney of Prairie State Legal Services’ Waukegan office, working with a dedicated team to provide civil legal services to vulnerable individuals in Lake County. Her legal work focuses on providing meaningful access to justice regardless of a person’s ability to pay. She is a current board member for the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County and St. Gilbert School, a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association, and has previously served on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Advisory Committee. Megan earned her law and bachelor’s degrees from Loyola University Chicago. She joined the Foundation’s Board in 2024.

Adam is a serial social entrepreneur transitioning out of the public health, healthcare, and community development finance space to focus on tangible solutions that can be launched in communities of color that address inequality. The first venture on this journey is Drip & Culture, a coffee shop inside Supermercado Gonzalez, a Mexican grocery store he and his wife run in Waukegan, Illinois. They envision transforming Supermercado Gonzalez into a community hub by leveraging Drip and Culture and other brands to launch socially focused, community-based transformation activities. In the past year, he launched a Drip and Culture Run Club, which invites our community to come out for runs in the community. Adam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospital Administration from Jackson State University. His graduate studies have included hospital administration, higher education, and urban planning, emphasizing community development. Adam is fluent in Spanish.

Gary is the Director of Finance for Heart of the City, a soccer-based youth development organization. Originally from Aurora, Illinois, Gary moved to Lake County after graduating from Illinois State University. He has more than 40 years of accounting and nonprofit finance experience, including 25 years with a Waukegan CPA firm, where he became a partner, and 13 years as Chief Financial Officer of a large Lake County social service organization. Gary also provides accounting and financial services to Art Impact Project and the Center for Immigrant Progress, both Lake County nonprofit organizations.

With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, Myleene is a dedicated advocate for the continuum of care. She is committed to ensuring seamless transitions for patients while addressing their evolving needs across home care, home health, hospice, and palliative care services. Most recently, Myleene served as Area Vice President at JourneyCare, an Addus HomeCare company, where she led initiatives focused on delivering compassionate hospice and palliative care. Through this work, she helped patients live with dignity and comfort while supporting families throughout their care journeys. These services support communities across Lake County and the greater Chicagoland area. Myleene is passionate about aligning care with each patient’s goals and championing equitable access to high-quality healthcare. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University. Myleene joined the Foundation’s Board in June 2024.

Melissa is an internal medicine physician who primarily teaches students at Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) in North Chicago, IL. She is the Clinical Director of the Interprofessional Community Clinic, RFU’s student-led free clinic that delivers free primary care, podiatry, mental health, and physical therapy services to uninsured residents of Lake County. Her professional experience includes work as a hospitalist in Seattle, a primary care volunteer at HealthReach, and resident mentor at Erie HealthReach Waukegan Health Center. Her most recent endeavor is creating a new longitudinal curriculum on health equity for the Chicago Medical School. Her educational background includes Harvard, Vanderbilt, and the University of Washington. Dr. Chen joined the Foundation’s Board in September 2021.

Gabriel Conroe received an appointment as an Associate Judge in July 2024 after working as an attorney in the Lake County Public Defender’s Office for 17 years. As an Assistant Public Defender, he was assigned to the Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Courts, encompassing the Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and the Veterans Treatment & Assistance Court. Throughout his career, Gabriel focused his advocacy on helping the most vulnerable people. He has a particular interest in the interplay between mental health and the law. He also worked in the Felony Trial Division at the Public Defender’s Office. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Gabe joined HFNLC’s Beneficiary Selection Committee in 2024.

Recently retired as Vice President of Litigation Services at Mindcrest, Inc., the oldest and largest legal process outsourcing company. Mr. Duffy is a frequent author and speaker on e-discovery issues and the legal outsourcing industry. He is currently the sole member of the Law Office of Michael Duffy LLC and represents immigration clients on a pro bono basis. He has over 40 years experience as a litigator that include his position as national counsel and lead trial counsel for a medical device manufacturer. His appellate experience includes arguments before the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts. He has over ten years experience as township attorney for Libertyville and Lake Villa townships in Lake County, Illinois. Mr. Duffy also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Lake County Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office. He joined the Healthcare Foundation’s Board in September 2018.

Igael has dedicated over 20 years of his career bringing financial and health awareness to underserved communities through education and outreach. He earned his bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in International Business from DePaul University. Outside of his professional endeavors, Igael utilizes his fluency in Spanish to provide support and guidance to the Spanish-speaking community. Igael joined the Foundation’s Board in September 2021.

Sam is the Director of Behavioral Health at the Lake County Health Department, where a staff of 300 provides behavioral health services to over 10,000 Lake County adults and youth annually through outpatient, residential and community-based care. He has spent most of his career helping to provide or increase access to behavioral healthcare for underserved individuals. Recent projects have included expanding crisis services, collaborating with community partners to address the rise in opioid use and overdose deaths, and increasing services for children and youth. Sam has been with the Lake County Health Department for over 30 years. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Sam joined the Board of the Healthcare Foundation in 2022.

Tulio E. Rodriguez, MD, is a distinguished hematologist and oncologist with over 25 years of experience in patient care, clinical research, and medical education.  Currently serving as Director of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy at City of Hope Chicago, he has led programs in advanced therapies and bone marrow transplantation across several major health systems, including Loyola University Medical Center and Texas A&M University. He has been deeply committed to improving access to high-quality care for underserved communities and medically vulnerable populations.

For more than 20 years, Casandra Slade has worked to improve economic stability and prosperity in low- and middle-income communities in Illinois. She began on the nonprofit side, implementing homebuyer education and post-purchase programs in Milwaukee and increasing affordable housing opportunities in Lake County. In 2004, she moved to the banking sector itself, launching successful small loan programs and helping shape effective community reinvestment and development initiatives. In her current role, Ms. Slade provides strategic guidance to Wintrust’s 15 community bank subsidiaries and a variety of community nonprofit organization partners. She joined the Foundation’s Board in 2017.

David C. Bruce, CPA, is an experienced financial executive with a background in health care, nonprofit management, and global business operations. He has spent much of his career helping organizations strengthen their financial performance, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term growth. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Erie Family Health Centers, where he helped grow revenue, increase cash and investments, and oversee financial operations and investment strategy. Previously, David served as Chief Financial Officer at Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter and held various finance leadership roles at Baxter International, where he supported business growth, acquisitions, and strategic financial planning. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University, where he graduated summa cum laude. David joined the Finance and Investment Committee of the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County in 2026.

Nadine Johnson is a banking professional with over 25 years of experience. She joined Old National Bank in May 1995. She is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and earned her MBA from Webster University. She received her Certified Treasury Professional designation in 2007 and is a member of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association, where she chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force. She serves on the Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) and the Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) boards. She sits on the Finance Committee of the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County (Former Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee).

Iliana A. Mora is the President of Advocate Condell Medical Center, the largest health care provider and only Level I Trauma Center in Lake County, Illinois. She has spent more than 25 years in health care leadership, focusing on improving access to care, clinical quality, and patient experience. Her career has included leadership roles at Sinai Health System, Cook County Health, and Erie Family Health Center, where she led efforts to expand services, improve operational efficiency, and address community health needs. Recent initiatives have included launching maternal and cancer care programs, expanding virtual care, and leading Cook County’s $60 million COVID-19 vaccination program. She holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Iliana joined the Beneficiary Selection Committee of the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County in 2026.

After a 20-year career in non-profit health, human services, and academia, Dr. Venoncia M. Baté-Ambrus joined the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. She began working as a Community Health Worker (CHW) before becoming a community health psychologist and pastoral counselor specializing in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ), spirituality, and integrated care. Promoting health equity and access to care whether in hospitals, clinics, hospice and palliative care, or behavioral healthcare settings is her life’s work. Dr. Baté-Ambrus was appointed and/or elected to multiple boards, advisories and committees, including sections of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). She is a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) practitioner, in addition to being a public speaker and educator on cultural humility and social determinants of health. She joined the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County in 2022.

Angela Baran holds a masters from DePaul University’s School of Public Service and has experience in healthcare grants management and development through her work with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. A life-long resident of Northeastern Lake County, she understands both the needs and assets of the community. She is committed to improving the health of the community through education and the provision of quality services. She joined the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County in 2011.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics and a Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Management. With extensive experience in business operations, finance, and strategic development, he has worked with entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, and government agencies to strengthen operations, improve financial performance, and support sustainable growth. His background includes leadership roles with College of Lake County, Morgan Stanley, Discover Financial Services, Moneris Solutions, and the U.S. Department of Labor. As an entrepreneur, Michael has also owned and operated several successful businesses, bringing a practical and collaborative approach to problem-solving and organizational success. He is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations and advancing the Foundation’s work to improve the health and well-being of Northern Lake County communities. He joined HFNLC on July 6, 2026.

Elvira Barragan-Lopez holds a Bachelor’s in Peace and Social Justice and Master of Public Policy degree from Loyola University Chicago and has a background in community-centered work focused on advancing equity and supporting underserved communities. Through her work with organizations such as Pyxis Partners and campus-based Latinx initiatives, she has contributed to public policy research, communications, outreach, and project coordination efforts. As a bilingual professional, Elvira is passionate about improving access to information and resources for historically underserved communities and advancing health equity through collaborative and community-informed approaches. She joined HFNLC on June 1, 2026.