Growing Leadership, Expanding Opportunity: Welcoming High Jump’s New Board Leaders

Behind every High Jump student is a community of educators, families, volunteers, supporters, and leaders committed to expanding opportunity and creating pathways to upward economic mobility. Together, we help Chicago students build the academic skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive in high school, college, and beyond.

Strong leadership is essential to advancing that work. We are grateful for the dedicated service of our current Board of Directors and excited to welcome new leaders who will help guide High Jump into the future.

We are proud to welcome Mary Fifield as Chair of High Jump’s Board of Directors, along with five new Board members: Farah Adhi, Shanelle Brown, Dennis Daughtridge, Sonal Gandhi, and Eric Liu.

Together, these leaders bring diverse professional experiences, personal perspectives, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity for Chicago students.

Welcoming Our New Board Chair

Mary Fifield brings her experience as an executive coach and leadership consultant to help guide High Jump as we continue advancing our mission and expanding pathways to upward economic mobility.

“I joined High Jump’s Board in 2019 after learning about the organization from fellow parents at the Latin School of Chicago. I’ve always loved learning, and I believe that access to a great education has the power to change the course of a child’s life. Joining the board felt like a natural way to put those beliefs into action.

“When I was asked to serve as Board Chair, I was honored to say yes. I care deeply about the work High Jump is doing, and I’m grateful to be in a position where I can give back in a meaningful way.

“As an executive coach and leadership consultant, I spend my days helping leaders grow, build strong teams and navigate change. It’s reinforced my belief that the best leaders listen first. As Board Chair, I hope to bring that same mindset by asking thoughtful questions, building strong partnerships and keeping our focus on High Jump’s mission and the students and families we serve.”

Meet Our New Board Members

Each of our new Board members brings a unique perspective shaped by their experiences, expertise, and connection to High Jump’s mission. We asked each of them:

• What inspired you to join the High Jump Board of Directors?
• What perspective, experience, or expertise do you hope to bring to the Board?

Farah Adhi

“There is no better gift than the gift of education. I’ve witnessed the way that a High Jump education can change lives and so joining the board was a no-brainer. I want to be a part of an organization that can have lasting impact on young people’s lives.

“I bring with me a career of experience in strategic communications, helping Fortune 500 companies tell their story and build engagement and trust with their audience.  As a second career, I’m currently working towards my Masters in Education at National Louis University. I’m excited to connect this new passion and expertise to support High Jump’s programming. Finally, I bring experience in working with a diverse set of stakeholders, as the President of the Parents Association for my children’s school.”

Shanelle Brown

“I believe deeply in the power of education and have personally experienced how access to academic enrichment and guidance can meaningfully shape long term outcomes for children who may not otherwise have access to the resources or networks needed to thrive. I am thrilled to play a small role in supporting an organization that is committed to ensuring talented and ambitious children are not overlooked because of economic circumstances.

“My background in finance, financial services, and philanthropy gives me a strong foundation in financial stewardship, governance, and strategic decision-making. As someone who has experienced different financial circumstances over the course of my life, I also bring a broad and diverse perspective to the work. I understand how meaningful access, exposure, and guidance can be, and I would be especially excited to leverage my network to help students with interests in STEM learn about a range of career opportunities, while also helping the organization expand its resources, relationships, and visibility.”

Dennis Daughtridge

“I was introduced to High Jump through a close friend, a former board member, about 5 years ago and I became a donor at that time. After my retirement two years ago, my goal was to volunteer and become more engaged in the local community. After meeting with Cindy O’Connor, Nate and other staff members, High Jump seemed like a great fit, but what inspired me the most was meeting the kids during the mock interviews. What hit home was seeing how committed these young people are to the program. I also felt a genuine sense of community between them, the staff, board members and volunteers. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be a part of High Jump and help advance the mission.

“My 30 year career in Chicago media brings a unique perspective to High Jump. In my committee work this past year, I’ve tapped into professional connections and introduced select clients and colleagues to Nate and Molly with the goal of expanding High Jump’s mission. We’ve made some terrific strides and my goal is to increase this effort as I join the board. My personal connections have been extremely supportive as well, touring campuses, attending events, making donations, and I will be continuing to build on this, introducing more friends and connections to High Jump.”

Sonal Gandhi

Eric Liu

“After volunteering at High Jump for a number of years, I saw firsthand how the program transforms students and sets them on a higher trajectory. The quality of the staff, the rigor of the academics, and the bottom line outcomes convinced me that this wasn’t just a good program, it is one of the most effective investments we can make in Chicago-based middle school students. I wanted to be a part of that team and help further High Jump’s mission.

“As the child of immigrants, I grew up in a family where it was instilled in me that education is the only means to upward mobility. That conviction is what draws me to High Jump’s mission and its scholars, many of whom share those same values. As an Asian American, I also bring a perspective that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Finally, from my career in finance and investing, I bring the analytical discipline to help ensure High Jump is financially sustainable and positioned to grow its impact.”

---

Together, our Board of Directors represents a community of leaders committed to creating opportunity and supporting students as they pursue their goals. We are grateful for their partnership and excited for the future of High Jump.