Our Foundation

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


Foundation Board of Directors

Phoebe Helm
Chair

Phoebe Helm has spent more than 40 years in education, teaching and administering programs kindergarten through graduate school. The majority of those years were in community colleges, most recently including Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Vocational Education in the California Community Colleges Cahncellor’s Office; President of Truman College in Chicago, and President of Hartnell College in Salinas, CA. She has served on national and local boards including President of the National Association of Developmental Education; Chair of the American Cancer Society Chicago Community, and Secretary of the Park Tower Condo Association Board.

Shawn McCullough
Vice Chair

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.

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.

Rachael Carbone
Board Member

Rachael Carbone is the Chief Development and Operations Officer at Chicago Scholars, where she spearheads fundraising and communications efforts to realize the organization’s vision. With 15 years at Heartland Alliance, including as Senior Director of Development, Rachael demonstrated a fervent commitment to human rights and equity, surpassing fundraising targets and leading a dedicated team. Her deep passion for equity and leadership development brought her to Chicago Scholars, where she envisions a more equitable and prosperous future for the city’s young leaders through education. Rachael, with a BA in International Service and Humanities from Valparaiso University and an MPA from Indiana University, has been devoted to service since her early years as a peer tutor. Outside work, she cherishes time with her wife and son, maintains global connections with family and friends, and explores diverse cultures through travel, all while relishing the vibrant offerings of Chicago.

Jill Doherty
Board Member

Jill Doherty is the Senior Director of Gift Planning at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago. She has gained deep experience and expertise as a development leader at UChicago, Johns Hopkins University, and NorthShore University Health System. Her donor-focused work spans grateful alumni and patients. Previously, she held managerial roles in corporate and private banking for Chicago and Boston institutions, handling 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 the Chicago Botanic Gardens, serves on the board of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Chicago.

Katie Fox
Board Member

Katie is a Vice President Wealth Management Advisor at TIAA. She works with individual and institutional clients to develop plans to address a broad range of needs, including retirement, investment, income and estate planning needs. Katie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Virginia Tech and has obtained the Certified Financial Professional (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designations. Katie lives in Old Irving Park with her husband, daughter and Labrador retriever. During her free time, Katie enjoys traveling, dining out and listening to live music.

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.

Peter Moore
Board Member

Peter is the Artistic Director and a founding ensemble member of Steep Theatre Company, a 22 year-old Chicago cultural institution that has been producing in the Edgewater community since 2008. As an actor, he has performed in numerous productions at Steep; worked with other Chicago companies including Steppenwolf, Writers Theatre, Route 66, Jackalope, and the Goodman; and has numerous TV & film credits. Pete served as a board member of the League of Chicago Theaters and is currently a member of the Lakewood Balmoral Residents’ Council. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and The School at Steppenwolf.

Gus Noble
Board Member

Gus Noble, President of Chicago Scots, the oldest 501c3 non-profit in Illinois, oversees Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care. Born in Dundee, raised in the Scottish Borders, and a U.S. citizen since April 2018, Gus worked at the British Consulate General and operated the Welsh Assembly Government’s office in Chicago. Awarded the National Tartan Day Award in 2021, he also received an OBE for services to Scottish culture in the USA. A GlobalScot, Gus serves on the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund Boards, supports Newcastle United, and plays bass guitar in a Scottish-American honky-tonk band. Married to Aisha, they have two sons, Bobby and Langston, and reside 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.

Carol Stitzer

Carol Stitzer
Board Member

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.