The Admiral at the Lake Foundation
Chicago’s Oldest Nonprofit Organization Serving Seniors
Dating back over 160 years, The Admiral at the Lake has maintained a reputation for being a person-centered, values-based community with the highest standards. In 2005 The Admiral at the Lake Foundation was created. The mission of the Foundation is not only to support The Admiral at the Lake residents and staff but to help support activities that benefit the seniors in our community.
A Gift of Caring
Assisting Chicago’s Seniors
When you give a gift to The Admiral at the Lake, you show your support of a 160 year legacy of caring for Chicago’s seniors. Gifts are used to care for residents and to assist residents who can no longer cover their monthly service fees due to no fault of their own. Gifts enhance our sense of community and assist with daily operations.
Ways of Giving
Donations
An outright gift in the form of cash or securities permits an immediate federal income tax deduction. Gifts of long-term appreciated securities may offer additional benefits.
Memorial Gifts
You may wish to make a contribution in honor of someone of significance to you and the community. Perhaps it is a friend, neighbor, or someone who has served the community as a board or staff member. All gifts will be acknowledged and
recognized.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many corporations match gifts to charitable institutions made by employees; some will match the gifts of employee spouses and retired employees as well. Contact your personnel office for information about your employer’s matching gift program.
Planned Gifts
These are bequests, gifts made over a period of time, and are structured to meet your specific financial objectives. They offer significant advantages of favorable income, as well as savings on capital gains and estate taxes. Planned gifts allow donors to transfer cash, real estate, or other assets to The Admiral at the Lake. Please reach out to R.J. Zielinski, CFO, or Nadia Geigler, CEO, to learn more.
The Admiral at the Lake Foundation
Our Foundation board comprises civic leaders and accomplished professionals.
Sarah Shirk
Chair
Sarah Shirk earned an MPH with a concentration in gerontology from UIC’s School of Public Health and a BA from Swarthmore College. Her career has focused on health outcomes in the medical rehabilitation sector and academic research in the public health sector. Sarah has collaborated professionally with Kendal affiliates since her early career while working in community outreach at the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is a member of Oak Park Friends and active in regional Quaker communities. For hobbies, Sarah enjoys singing in the Chicago Community Chorus and is training to compete in national Masters Track & Field Competitions.
Carol Stitzer
Vice Chair
Carol was a Development professional for twenty-five years with major cultural and educational organizations in Chicago, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago History Museum, and Center for American Archeology. For fifteen of those years, she was a member of the Development staff at the Lyric Opera of Chicago with responsibility for the leadership of fundraising and board activities. Carol received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Loyola University and attended Loyola University and Northwestern University for post-graduate studies. Carol was a previous Board Member for The Admiral at the Lake and has many years of volunteer experience at many local non-profit organizations. Carol continued as a part-time consultant for Lyric Opera and other not-for-profit organizations following retirement.
Charles Katzenmeyer
Secretary
Charles Katzenmeyer is the Vice President of Institutional Advancement a the Field Museum. In this role, he oversees Museum-wide development, government relations, and a membership community of 50,000 households. From 2002 to 2013, Charles was senior vice president for external affairs at the Adler Planetarium. Previously, he was Chief Development Officer at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Earlier in his career, he served as campaign director at the Field and held development positions at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the American Bar Association, and Northwestern University, all in Chicago. Charles received an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he also attended college. He was elected chair of the Development and Membership Professional Network of the American Alliance of Museums. Additional current volunteer commitments include House Corporation Board President for Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Northwestern. Mr. Katzenmeyer is a past president of the Northwestern Alumni Association and a past member of the University’s Board of Trustees. He has been active in the past with AboutFace Theatre Company, American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chicago House, Social Service Agency, Cloud 42 Theatre Company, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Doorways (St. Louis, MO), Howard Brown Health Center, Inspiration Corporation, Roycemore School and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Renée N. Duba
Treasurer
Renée has enjoyed a successful career as a wealth advisor for over 30 years. She works with individuals, families, and business owners to provide financial solutions that build and maintain financial well-being. She strives to address all aspects of financial health and takes a holistic approach to financial management.
After studying music theory/composition at Western Illinois University on a full scholarship, Renée earned her B.A. in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago.
Jordan Shields
Board Member
Jordan is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, and he is a Managing Director with Juniper Advisory, a Chicago-based firm that assists hospital boards with mergers, acquisitions, and other forms of partnerships. He serves on the Board of the House Theatre of Chicago and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Selection Committees for the Gus Hart Fellowship and Emerging Leaders Program.
Gwen Cohen
Board Member
Gwen Cohen, Morgan Stanley Wealth Advisor and FVP, has dedicated her career to serving the financial needs of high-net-worth individuals, multi-generational families, and small business owners. Most recently, she was recognized as a 2016 MAKER at Morgan Stanley, an award that honors game-changing women leaders within the firm and the industry. Gwen has been profiled in various media outlets, including the Chicago Sun-Times, N’Digo, Chicago Defender, Chicago Metro News, Black Enterprise, Ebony magazine, and WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight.” In 2019, Gwen received the Egretha Award for financial empowerment. A strong believer in “giving back,” Gwen is a Board Chair of Roosevelt University’s College of Performing Arts, WTTW’s Advisory Council, and the Goodman Theatre Spotlight Society Advisory.
Jill Doherty
Board Member
Jill Doherty has deep experience and expertise as a development leader working for UChicago, Johns Hopkins University, and NorthShore University Health System with grateful alumni and patients. Previously, she held managerial roles in nonprofit and corporate banking for Chicago and Boston institutions. She managed banking relationships with many continuing care and active living communities as well as healthcare, educational and cultural institutions. Jill is passionate about helping individuals and families to find philanthropic opportunities which will enable them to realize their dreams and goals. She volunteers with Elawa Farm and Ragdale and serves on the board of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving.
Shawn McCullough
Board Member
Shawn is an attorney and CPA with the law firm of Harrison & Held, LLP. He concentrates his practice on trusts, estates, charitable planning, and private foundations. Shawn is a graduate of Indiana University and earned his JD at Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is an active member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council and the Chicago Bar Association.
Maureen Miller
Board Member
Maureen is a Wealth Advisor at Doyenne Wealth Advisors, a women-owned holistic financial planning firm headquartered in Chicago that offers investment management advice as well as cash flow, tax, and estate planning services. Maureen is a CFP® professional and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in economics and German language. She is also a member of the associate board of the Merit School of Music in Chicago.