BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet Our Board

Kristen Boyd, Health Equity Strategies

Joined CAASE Board in 2023

Kristen Boyd, Health Equity Project Manager for the American Hospital Association, focusing on diversity, health equity, and inclusion across healthcare networks and community organizations.

She graduated from Lewis University with her BA in Criminal Social Justice, where she also became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She then went on to pursue her M.Ed from DePaul University, focusing on Secondary Education & Teaching and Learning.

She is the proud owner of En Pointe Dance Productions dance studio on the Southside of Chicago. Her passion for dance and serving the community stems from her background of coaching auxiliary and Competitive Dance for 6 years with Thornridge High School where she contributes her 22 years of dance, cheer, and gymnastics experience. The studio serves and provides quality dance instruction to underserved community members and nonprofit organizations that are looking for a quality dance space and home. She currently also has a dance program in the Chicago Public School district and City Colleges of Chicago as enrichment programs and employs the youth to teach the programs.

She is also a proud and active member of the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she is Co-Chair of the Step Committee and heavily involved in fundraising initiatives for the chapter.

She brings to the Board Member role her compassion, empathy, and resources for those adversely affected by sexual exploitation, but as a survivor herself, she is a true personal ally!

 

Cynthia Cuyjet, Cuyjet Management Consultants, Inc.

Joined CAASE Board in 2021

Cynthia K. Cuyjet (pronounced ‘sue-jay’) is the founder and managing director of Cuyjet Management Consultants, Inc., where she has empowered individual and corporate clients to identify their goals and develop the skills and structure necessary to achieve them.

An expert in talent development, life mastery coaching, and implementing organizational change, Ms. Cuyjet has worked with individuals, educational institutions, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies across a broad range of industries. She earned a Master of Arts in counseling from New Jersey City University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology from Marymount College of Fordham University. As a part of her commitment to ongoing growth, she has pursued postgraduate coursework at New York University and holds numerous specialized credentials including Life Mastery Consultant certification from Brave Thinking Institute, Blessing White/Catalyst master trainer, and Mercer-Oliver Wyman World-Class Consulting certifications.

Prior to launching Cuyjet Management Consultants, Ms. Cuyjet found success in positions such as vice president of leadership development at Bank of America and senior associate director of MBA Career Management for the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. A mentor to corporate leaders, she has been an adviser to and Board member with organizations including the Metro Achievement Center for Girls, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

As a domestic violence and sexual abuse survivor in her youth, she was not aware of any agencies or organizations to which she could have gone for support or help. As an adult, she has intentionally been involved with other organizations that provide for/or support survivors.

 

Denise Fogus Gibson, Community Leader

Joined CAASE Board in 2023

Denise Fogus Gibson is a marketing consultant, strategic advisor, and philanthropist, with a particular focus on support and enrichment of the city of Chicago. In addition to CAASE, Denise sits on the boards of Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago Cares, Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago (Women’s Board), and Latin School of Chicago (Executive Committee and Development Committee Chair).

For over a decade, Denise worked for American Express Company’s small business division, where she designed, managed, and executed above and below-the-line marketing initiatives to support key relationships and drive card acquisition. Denise began her professional career in politcal and charitable fundraising, managing large-scale events for federal and gubernatorial candidates and national direct mail programs for nonprofit organizations. Denise holds a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Denise is excited to share her enthusiasm and experience to help CAASE build on its strong foundation and seize the moment to expand its reach and influence.

 

Judy Gold, Lamb Partners

Joined CAASE Board in 2013

Judy Gold is a partner at Perkins Coie in both Government Relations and Business Law practices. Judy has two decades of transactional experience in general corporate, real estate, and private equity as well as in the areas of government relations, public affairs, and crisis management. In addition to the private practice of law, Judy has significant public sector experience. Judy served in the Clinton White House, Mayor Daley’s Cabinet as Chief of Policy for the City of Chicago, chaired the Illinois Commission on the Status of Women, was a member of the Illinois State Board of Education, and chaired Women’s Policy for the Obama for America Campaign.  Judy was appointed by the Obama Administration to serve as U.S. representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and serves on numerous local boards including Chicago’s Civic Federation and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Judy is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and resides in Chicago with her husband and young family.

 

Rachel Graber, Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Parks

Joined CAASE Board in 2023

Rachel Graber is the managing director for the Minnesota territory of Urban Air Adventure Parks. She established Rachel Ray’s Consulting in 2020 with the goal of assisting companies in identifying and resolving problematic areas.

Rachel earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminology, psychology, and sociology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2007. At an early age, Rachel had a strong desire to make a difference and a strong enthusiasm for helping others. She began her career in the juvenile probation victim services unit, and proceeded to work as a probation officer in social services before entering the nonprofit sector.

In 2017, her love of events and entertainment, her enthusiasm for youngsters, and her own appreciation of providing the gift of lifelong experiences brought her to Urban Adventure Parks.

In 2020, she launched her own consulting business, and today, she applies her entrepreneurial spirit to assist teams and businesses worldwide in recognizing and resolving shared problems. She specializes in viewing things from the viewpoint of the guest and has an eye for operational efficiency.

Rachel is incredibly passionate, honored, and dedicated in serving on the CAASE Board of Directors, where she can contribute to education and awareness-raising as a survivor of sexual assault and as someone who has benefited from CAASE’s resources firsthand.

 

George Haines, Mayer Brown

Board Vice President

Joined CAASE Board in 2020

George is a tax associate at Mayer Brown, where his practice focuses on securitization, structured finance, and fund formation. George’s pro bono work has included representing survivors of sexual assault and trafficking, as well as assisting in the formation of nonprofit entities and applications for 501(c)(3) status.

George received a law degree with honors from the University of Michigan, where he was an Executive Editor of the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law, and a B.A. with honors from Columbia University, where he majored in Economics and Classics.

 

Courtney Henderson, Ulta Beauty

Joined CAASE Board in 2023

 

Lisa Holl-Chang, Mayer Brown LLP

Joined CAASE Board in 2021

Lisa is an associate in the Restructuring Group of Mayer Brown LLP where she focuses on representing companies, lenders, and other parties in workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy proceedings. Through her pro bono work, she has assisted survivors of sex trafficking to vacate prostitution convictions under the Justice for Victims of Sex Trafficking Act. Lisa received her law degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review, and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. Prior to law school, she lived in Taiwan for six years, where she worked as a magazine editor and learned to speak Chinese fluently.

Lisa is excited to support CAASE in the deeply meaningful but exceedingly challenging work of advocating for survivors in Chicago.

 

Clare Lilek, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

Joined CAASE Board in 2023

 

Reena Panchal, EY

Joined CAASE Board in 2022

Reena Panchal is a Principal in EY’s Federal & Insurance Claims Services (IFCS) practice in Chicago.  She has over 17 years of experience leading complex FEMA and insurance claims, fraud investigations, evaluating economic damages, conducting financial analysis, handling labor and employment disputes and recommending antifraud programs and controls.  Reena’s experience in these fields extends across a wide variety of industries including government and public sector, not for profit, construction, utilities, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Reena also has significant entrepreneurial experience, having owned a design brand and an event management company earlier in her professional live. Additionally, she has extensive experience working with not for profit organizations, including Kala Raksha where she was a project coordinator for a new design school and a designer for one season.  Reena also was a committee member for several initiatives for the International Association for Advancement, an NGO focused on health and education development.  In New York, Reena was a strong supporter of SAKHI as a donor and event coordinator.  Having moved to Chicago six years ago, Reena has been supporter of CAASE.

 

Reggie Rush, DivIHN Integration

Joined CAASE Board in 2022
Reginald (Reggie) F. Rush is Vice President – Diversity, Client & Community Partnerships at DivIHN Integration Inc. (DivIHN). DivIHN (pounced Divine) is a technology solutions company headquartered in Hoffman Estates Illinois. Reggie has been partnering and advising customers within mid-cap and Fortune 500 corporations for over 30 years with roles in Diversity, Technology & Business Solutions, Business Development, Sales Marketing, and Client Relationship Management. Reggie is viewed as a “Trusted Business Advisor” to many C-Suite and Senior Level Executives. His demonstrated success includes building teams & solutions that have turned around failing IT departments; ensuring the alignment of IT with business strategy; complex negotiations and helping organizations select the appropriate technology solutions to improve their business. During the last 20+ years, Reggie has spent time advising clients regarding diversity, business, and technology solutions strategies including project management, custom software development, and workforce development. His role was recently expanded to include exploring opportunities & developing community-based partnerships within STEM for youth, young adults, and professionals in historically underserved communities expanding DivIHN’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Reggie is involved in a number of non-profit organizations, and he is a frequent speaker/moderator at industry events on topics such as leadership, diversity, and technology.

 

Holly Verdeyen, Mercer

Board President

Joined CAASE Board in 2020

Holly Verdeyen is a Partner in Mercer’s Chicago, IL office and serves as the Defined Contribution and Financial Wellness Leader in the US. Holly has overall responsibility the strategy, development, and growth of Mercer’s defined contribution and financial wellness business within the US. In addition, she is responsible for solutions development and the deployment intellectual capital and research to our clients and the industry.

Holly has over 20 years of investment experience and has held leadership roles in both the institutional and financial intermediary distribution channels. Holly is a member of our Wealth Leadership Team, US Investment Policy Committee, and Defined Contribution Investment Committee. Holly has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to serve on the 15 member DOL ERISA Advisory Council, representing the interest of employers. Holly was also recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing by Pension & Investments in 2023.

Prior to joining Mercer, Holly worked at Russell Investments, where she led the US Institutional and Intermediary DC business units, which included investment consulting, traditional outsourced CIO, target date funds and managed accounts. Holly has previously held roles as a founding member of the Defined Contribution Group at UBS and on the Defined Contribution Team at Barclays Global Investors, now Blackrock.

Holly is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. She serves as the Board President for the not-for-profit organization Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), and on the Advisory Council for the Women in Leadership Executive Program at The George Washington University. Holly earned her MBA from Northwestern University and her Bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College. She holds a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation.