Leadership Overview
Family Focus has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and board governance.
Driven by a commitment to community empowerment, Family Focus provides essential resources and programs for families, fostering child development and family support across the Chicagoland region through innovative initiatives and advocacy.
Driven by a commitment to community empowerment, Family Focus provides essential resources and programs for families, fostering child development and family support across the Chicagoland region through innovative initiatives and advocacy.
Leadership Roles at Family Focus
Derek Laney - President & Chief Executive Officer
Derek Laney, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Family Focus, directs the organization's overarching strategy and operational execution. Laney guides the mission to empower families by ensuring the effective delivery of early childhood, youth development, and family support programs across community centers. This leadership role involves fostering strategic partnerships and driving advocacy efforts to enhance the organization's impact within the Chicagoland region. Derek Laney oversees the integration of innovative programs designed to provide parents with critical knowledge and resources, ensuring children receive the best possible start in life. The focus remains on community engagement and strengthening the support systems available to families in need, aligning all functions with the core objective of making a significant positive difference.
William Jones - President & Chief Executive Officer
William Jones, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Family Focus, spearheads the strategic vision and executive leadership for the organization. Jones drives the core mission of empowering families through comprehensive support systems, including early childhood education, youth development, and family assistance programs. This executive guides the expansion and refinement of services offered through community centers, ensuring alignment with the goal of providing parents with essential knowledge and resources. William Jones oversees the cultivation of community involvement and advocacy, reinforcing Family Focus's commitment to making a substantial impact. The leadership ensures that innovative programs are consistently developed and implemented to support children's development and overall family well-being across the Chicagoland area.

Charlene Lombard - Chief Financial Officer
Charlene Lombard, the Chief Financial Officer at Family Focus, manages the organization's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Lombard ensures robust financial controls and oversees budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation to support Family Focus's mission of empowering families. This role is critical in maintaining the sustainability of programs in early childhood, youth development, and family support across community centers. Charlene Lombard directs financial operations, ensuring compliance and optimizing fiscal efficiency to maximize the impact of donations and community involvement. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight guarantees that financial resources are effectively deployed to provide parents with necessary knowledge and assistance, thereby supporting children's development and family well-being.
Lisa Sperle - President and Founding Member
Lisa Sperle, the President and Founding Member at Family Focus, provides foundational leadership and strategic direction rooted in the organization's inception. Sperle champions the core mission of empowering families by ensuring the continued development and delivery of vital programs in early childhood, youth development, and family support. This role involves guiding the organization's long-term vision and fostering community engagement, including initiatives like the Dream Builders Dinner. Lisa Sperle's enduring commitment ensures that Family Focus remains a vital resource, equipping parents with knowledge and assistance for their children's optimal development. The founding perspective guides ongoing advocacy and program innovation across community centers.
Virginia Amendum - President
Virginia Amendum, the President at Family Focus, leads strategic initiatives and operational oversight for the organization's extensive network of community centers. Amendum drives the mission to empower families by ensuring the effective implementation of programs focused on early childhood development, youth engagement, and comprehensive family support. This leadership position involves fostering strong community partnerships and advocating for the needs of families across the Chicagoland region. Virginia Amendum ensures that parents receive the critical knowledge and resources required to provide their children with the best possible start. The President's focus remains on enhancing program quality and expanding reach to make a lasting positive impact.
Prudy Tanner - President of the Board
Prudy Tanner, the President of the Board at Family Focus, provides high-level governance and strategic oversight, guiding the organization's long-term vision and mission. Tanner ensures that Family Focus remains dedicated to empowering families by upholding the integrity and effectiveness of its programs in early childhood, youth development, and family support. This role involves leading the Board of Directors in fiduciary responsibilities and strategic decision-making to enhance community impact. Prudy Tanner's leadership ensures that the organization consistently provides parents with essential knowledge and resources, fostering optimal child development. The President of the Board champions advocacy efforts and community involvement, including events like the Dream Builders Dinner, reinforcing Family Focus's commitment.
Amy Curtis - Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Amy Curtis, the Chief Financial & Operating Officer at Family Focus, directs both the financial strategy and the operational execution of the organization's programs. Curtis oversees the efficient allocation of financial resources and manages the day-to-day operations of community centers, ensuring the effective delivery of early childhood, youth development, and family support services. This dual role is essential for maintaining fiscal responsibility while driving operational excellence. Amy Curtis ensures that the organization can provide parents with the necessary knowledge, resources, and assistance to support their children's development. The Chief Financial & Operating Officer's leadership integrates financial planning with operational efficiency to maximize Family Focus's impact and community reach.
James Gottlieb - Life Member
James Gottlieb, the Life Member at Family Focus, contributes enduring support and advisory capacity to the organization's mission. Gottlieb's involvement reinforces the commitment to empowering families by championing the provision of knowledge, resources, and assistance for children's optimal development. This esteemed position signifies a deep, long-standing dedication to Family Focus's core objectives, including early childhood programs, youth development, and family support services. James Gottlieb's continued association ensures that the organization's foundational principles are upheld and that community engagement efforts are consistently supported. The role signifies a legacy of commitment to enhancing family well-being across the Chicagoland region.
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