Bright Promises at the Illinois Afterschool Network Statewide Conference
Bright Promises Foundation at the 39th Annual Illinois Afterschool Network Conference
Bright Promises Executive Director, Katherine Korey, will serve as a Panel Moderator and Presenter at the 39th Annual Illinois Afterschool Network Conference happening later this month on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Heartland College in Bloomington Illinois.
Illinois AfterSchool Network (IAN) is the professional membership association for people who work with and for youth during Expanded Learning Opportunities. IAN fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.
At the 39th Annual Conference: Navigating Change: Innovating Out of School Time Programs for a New Era you will have expand your skills, advance your career, and grow your network with Illinois AfterSchool Network as you discover and learn about ways to Innovate, Inspire and Impact youth in your out of school time programs and communities.
What to Expect:
✅ Engaging trainings aligned with our Impact, Innovate, Inspire themes
✅ Expert speakers, including Katherine Spinney, Jacqui Ulrich, Perrin Chick, Pearl McRae, Gabriella Zamora, Gregg Lauderdale, Audreanna Shannon, Dannielle Curtis, Jess Vann, Willie Williams, Hunter Strickland, Marcy Peake, Cynthia Townsend, Andrew Hitzhusen, Marnielly Vazquez,and more!
✅ A networking lunch to connect with peers, including a trust-based "Tell a Funder" working lunch facilitated by Katherine Korey, Executive Director of Bright Promises Foundation
✅ Access to a resource and vendor area full of tools to support your work
✅ Gateways to Opportunities credit and a great addition to your resume
Get to Know the Speakers:
Check out the bios for the panelists that will be engaging with Katherine during the Opening Panel of the conference. Bright Promises Foundation is grateful for the chance to elevate the work of these forward-thinking professionals and celebrate their innovative and impactful approach to this work:
- Andrew Hitzhusen- (He/They) is a Technical Assistance Specialist with ACT Now, drawing on experience as an afterschool provider, High School history teacher, and AmeriCorps mentor to help afterschool professionals hone their craft.
- Willie Williams (may have his PHD by end of March)- Willie Williams has over 10 years of experience as a Licensed Teacher and Youth Worker, Educational Advocate, and 16x Published Author. Willie currently serves as the Rebecca Crown Youth Center Local Advisory Board Chair and Community Service consultant for Chicago Greek Weekend.
- Tyler Kearns - In his 17th year in before and afterschool programming he is the current Program Coordinator for Clayton Kid Zone. Tyler is a National AfterSchool Association Next Generation leader and top presenter honoree and a National Play Ambassador with the Genius of Play.
- Marcy Peake - Marcy is the founder of The Center for Cultural Agility, published author, State of Michigan Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Family Life Educator, and Great Start to Quality Trainer. She is a national consultant and speaker in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, pre-K-12 and higher education, youth development, family and community engagement.
- Jess Vann - Jess Vann is a Chicago-based actor, vocalist, speaker, and entrepreneur, podcast host of Tomfoolery and Shenanigans w/ Jess Vann. With over 15 years of expertise as a Leader in the non-profit sector, Jess has developed a reputation for building community and supporting leadership development on and off the stage.
Bright Promises Foundation at the 39th Annual Illinois Afterschool Network Conference
Bright Promises Executive Director, Katherine Korey, will serve as a Panel Moderator and Presenter at the 39th Annual Illinois Afterschool Network Conference happening later this month on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Heartland College in Bloomington Illinois.
Illinois AfterSchool Network (IAN) is the professional membership association for people who work with and for youth during Expanded Learning Opportunities. IAN fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.
At the 39th Annual Conference: Navigating Change: Innovating Out of School Time Programs for a New Era you will have expand your skills, advance your career, and grow your network with Illinois AfterSchool Network as you discover and learn about ways to Innovate, Inspire and Impact youth in your out of school time programs and communities.
What to Expect:
✅ Engaging trainings aligned with our Impact, Innovate, Inspire themes
✅ Expert speakers, including Katherine Spinney, Jacqui Ulrich, Perrin Chick, Pearl McRae, Gabriella Zamora, Gregg Lauderdale, Audreanna Shannon, Dannielle Curtis, Jess Vann, Willie Williams, Hunter Strickland, Marcy Peake, Cynthia Townsend, Andrew Hitzhusen, Marnielly Vazquez,and more!
✅ A networking lunch to connect with peers, including a trust-based "Tell a Funder" working lunch facilitated by Katherine Korey, Executive Director of Bright Promises Foundation
✅ Access to a resource and vendor area full of tools to support your work
✅ Gateways to Opportunities credit and a great addition to your resume
Get to Know the Speakers:
Check out the bios for the panelists that will be engaging with Katherine during the Opening Panel of the conference. Bright Promises Foundation is grateful for the chance to elevate the work of these forward-thinking professionals and celebrate their innovative and impactful approach to this work:
- Andrew Hitzhusen- (He/They) is a Technical Assistance Specialist with ACT Now, drawing on experience as an afterschool provider, High School history teacher, and AmeriCorps mentor to help afterschool professionals hone their craft.
- Willie Williams (may have his PHD by end of March)- Willie Williams has over 10 years of experience as a Licensed Teacher and Youth Worker, Educational Advocate, and 16x Published Author. Willie currently serves as the Rebecca Crown Youth Center Local Advisory Board Chair and Community Service consultant for Chicago Greek Weekend.
- Tyler Kearns - In his 17th year in before and afterschool programming he is the current Program Coordinator for Clayton Kid Zone. Tyler is a National AfterSchool Association Next Generation leader and top presenter honoree and a National Play Ambassador with the Genius of Play.
- Marcy Peake - Marcy is the founder of The Center for Cultural Agility, published author, State of Michigan Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Family Life Educator, and Great Start to Quality Trainer. She is a national consultant and speaker in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, pre-K-12 and higher education, youth development, family and community engagement.
- Jess Vann - Jess Vann is a Chicago-based actor, vocalist, speaker, and entrepreneur, podcast host of Tomfoolery and Shenanigans w/ Jess Vann. With over 15 years of expertise as a Leader in the non-profit sector, Jess has developed a reputation for building community and supporting leadership development on and off the stage.
