Audalee McLoughlin, President and CEO
amcloughlin@newmomsinc.org
Audalee McLoughlin began unknowingly preparing for her current position of Executive Director in 1974, when she became a teenage mother. Her career took many interesting turns as she moved toward this position.
Having begun her professional career as a human resources manager for a large manufacturing company in central Illinois, Audalee advanced through the field until she became a human resources director for a $26 billion bank holding company. In 1996, Audalee was named a Vice President.
Through the years, Audalee struggled with her desire to overcome the stigma of having been a teenage mother, and her desire to mentor other teen moms, providing a message of strength and hope. She explored several volunteer opportunities; until November, 1997, when she learned about New Moms, Inc., and left her corporate position to become New Moms’ first Employment Training Coordinator—preparing young mothers to enter the workforce—many for the very first time.
In 2000, Audalee and her husband, Bob, decided to expand their family; by adopting two daughters. Audalee left New Moms to raise her children, and began her own human resources consulting business. For the next four years, Audalee worked with small and mid-sized businesses in the Chicago metro area, and continued to work with New Moms on a consulting basis. She also served as Acting Executive Director during the sabbatical of the then Executive Director, Connie Mead.
In 2002, Audalee joined the New Moms' Board of Directors as Chairperson. In September, 2004, when New Moms’ Executive Director resigned after 14 years of service, Audalee stepped in as Interim Executive Director. “I had been in New Moms remission,” explains Audalee, but after a couple of months, “Being back here every day had caused a relapse.” She resigned from the Board, and applied for the Executive Director’s position, which she officially assumed on January 1, 2005.
Audalee and her husband met at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, where they are members, and Audalee leads a women's neighborhood Bible Study. The McLoughlins are the proud parents of five grown children, Phillip, Scott, Chris, Kelly, and Colette. Their three sons are married to wonderful women—Kristi, Leah, and Jordan. In the last few years, they have moved to a new stage of life, becoming the very proud grandparents of five grandchildren, with two more on the way!
Mary Griffith, Director of Resource Development
mgriffith@newmomsinc.org
Tina Austin, Director of Program Operations
taustin@newmomsinc.org
Tina Austin, LCSW, is our Director of Program Operations. She joined New Moms with 22 years of social services experience; with 12 of those years in senior management.
Originally from Chicago, Tina graduated from NYU with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She then received her MSW from Columbia University in New York, completing internships with Yale University and Save the Children.
She has worked with pregnant and parenting individuals in many treatment modalities, including those dealing with substance abuse problems, domestic violence, and mental health challenges.
Janet Keller, Director of Finance
jkeller@newmomsinc.org
Janet Keller is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has worked at New Moms
since May 1996. She started as a part-time Fiscal Clerk and ended up in her current
position as Director of Finance.
Prior to joining New Moms, Janet worked in corporate tax departments - working
primarily on federal income tax audits. During that time, she obtained a Masters
in Taxation from DePaul University during five years of night school. Janet finds
some irony in the fact that she ended up working in a non-profit organization
where a knowledge of tax issues isn't really necessary. While it may be a demonstration
of "God's sense of humor" Janet does find that her audit experience has come
in handy at New Moms in facilitating her detailed financial reporting duties
to the various public agencies that provide funding to the organization.
Janet earned her B.S. in Accounting from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer,
Indiana. She is a long-time volunteer and co-coordinator for Volunteer Programs
at the UIC Medical Center in Pediatrics. She enjoys providing a brief diversion
for the patients, their families, and the staff when her volunteer group hosts
ice cream socials and holiday parties.
Janet energizes herself with the time she spends with her niece, nephews and
godchildren.
Stephanie Wernet, Director of Strategic Partnerships - Co-Founder , Bright Endeavors
swernet@newmomsinc.org
Before co-founding Bright Endeavors, Stephanie Wernet was vice president of programs and social enterprise for The Cara Program. Ms. Wernet served in a variety of roles during her eight-year tenor with The Cara Program including director of corporate accounts and client support, manager and liaison for a Chicago Housing Authority pilot program and regular presenter for The Chicago Jobs Council workforce development forums. Ms. Wernet has been a consultant for Public Private Private Ventures/Working Ventures since 2002, a national policy and workforce development organization and has traveled nationally to consult with other non-profits in the areas of workforce development, social service development and financial self-sufficiency programs.
Prior to entering the social service and workforce development field, Ms. Wernet spent eight years working for Marriott Hotel brand products serving in areas such as property operations, sales, human resources and recruiting. She holds an undergraduate degree in communication design from Ray Vogue College of Design in Chicago.
Joan Pikas, Operations Manager - Co-Founder, Bright Endeavors
jpikas@newmomsinc.org
Joan Pikas, co-founder of Bright Endeavors, has been a pioneer in the social enterprise market in Chicago since founding The Enterprising Kitchen in 1995. Ms. Pikas served in many roles between 1995 and 2007 including program manager, executive director and member of the board of directors. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the Chicago community.
Prior to creating The Enterprising Kitchen, Ms. Pikas has worked for the Illinois Department of Mental Health as a teacher-therapist and program supervisor. With a partner, she created and managed a mail order educational software company for several years. She has taught in the adult literacy program at Evanston Township High School. She has served as board member for a number of organizations including The Pathways School and Treatment Center and Christopher House. Ms. Pikas holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in education with a minor in sociology.
