MEET THE AMBASSADOR BOARD
Kiara Davis, Ambassador Board President
Kiara Davis is a Client Engagement Manager at an SAP SuccessFactors partner firm. She serves as a single point of contact for Managed Services clients. Kiara’s relationship with Franciscan Outreach began over 10 years ago. Initially, she did work with a small group of her peers. They would prepare and serve meals at the West Side shelters and on Lower Wacker Drive. After about four years of doing work together, many began to move away and eventually the service came to a halt. After a couple of years, Kiara’s desire to serve gradually increased. After searching for ways to serve on various organizations website’s, Kiara thought to look on Franciscan’s site and stumbled upon the Ambassadors Board section. Kiara joined the Franciscan Outreach Ambassador Board in 2015. In August of 2016, Kiara stepped into the role of president of the Ambassador Board. Kiara also serves as a member of the Franciscan Outreach Board of Directors.
“I have learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of it. I have always had the desire to do what I can to raise awareness and improve certain areas. That’s why I chose to get involved with Franciscan Outreach. It is my way of reaching back and blessing others as much as I have been blessed. If I can make a difference in one person’s life, then I have done my job.”
Carly Bashioum
Carly Bashioum is a marketing professional with a decade of experience in professional services marketing. She is currently a marketing manager at Skender, a design, construction and manufacturing firm based in Fulton Market. Carly holds a master’s degree in communication from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois Wesleyan University where she played women's soccer.
Carly has been volunteering at the Franciscan Outreach shelter on Harrison Street since 2014 through Saint Clement Parish in Lincoln Park.
“I am very grateful for the chance to make a larger impact on Franciscan Outreach through the Ambassador Board. The volunteer experience at the shelter is always incredibly humbling, and there is no shortage of work to be done towards ending homelessness in Chicago.”
Markita Edwards
Markita Edwards is a graduate student studying social work through DePaul University’s MSW program. Markita’s interests include research, spirituality and ending homelessness which includes creating fair and equitable housing for all. Markita joined the Ambassador Board in 2016 and has enjoyed the meaningful experiences this group provides.
“Franciscan Outreach is a place where we can coexist together and work to alleviate hunger and homelessness.”
Lauren Greenwood
Lauren Greenwood is the president and co-founder of YouCopia, a company that creates innovative organization products to help people triumph over the small stuff. Lauren serves on the International Housewares Association’s Young Professionals Advisory Council and has traveled with the Community Renewal Society to speak with state legislators about police accountability reform and funding for vital community services. She holds a BS degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia. Lauren initially connected with Franciscan Outreach as a volunteer in 2013 and joined the Ambassador Board in 2014.
“I wanted to volunteer with a local organization that truly helps our community. Franciscan Outreach provides critical services for those in need and I’m grateful to participate in that mission.”
Erin Laser
Erin Laser is an IT consultant at a management and technology consulting firm. She holds an MBA from Indiana University and a BS in Applied Science and Technology from George Washington University. Erin began volunteering at Franciscan Outreach in 2015. She joined the Ambassador Board in 2016 to become more involved in her community, support those in need, and lend her skills and network to further the great work of Franciscan Outreach.
“Franciscan Outreach’s mission to serve guests with dignity and respect really resonates with me, and is one of the reasons I really enjoy volunteering. The warm and welcoming atmosphere there makes guests feel like they are part of a community, and interacting with guests makes the experience so much fun. I love getting to know the guests and being a friendly face.”
Natalie Lau
Natalie Lau is a Corporate Responsibility Manager for Molson Coors, where she helps drive the sustainability, responsibility and community investment strategy for the company. Natalie holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and graduated with a BBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. At Kellogg, Natalie was the President of Net Impact for the part-time program, where she provided opportunities for the student community to use their skills in business to drive positive social change. Natalie has been a volunteer at Franciscan Outreach since 2013. She began her service with the Ambassador Board in 2016.
“Having volunteered and been part of the work at Franciscan Outreach for the past three years, I’ve personally witnessed the tremendous work that is done day in and day out by the volunteers to support people who are homeless and those that are at-risk. I joined the board because I believe everyone should have their basic human needs met with a warm meal, shelter and a safe place to stay – Franciscan Outreach provides that essential support for many members in our community.”
Holly Lechniak
Holly Lechniak is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a decade of experience providing clinical services in a variety of educational and mental health settings. She holds a graduate degree in social work from the University of Chicago. Holly began volunteering with Franciscan Outreach in 2012.
“What I enjoy most with volunteering and being part of the Ambassador Board is the opportunity it provides to directly serve my community — whether through providing a warm meal, raising funds at our annual Hops for the Homeless event, painting at the shelter, or just connecting through shared stories. I’m glad to be a part of such an amazing organization.”
Mario Leggero
Mario Leggero is a financial industry professional and Chicago sports fan, proudly supporting the Chicago White Sox. He was introduced to Franciscan Outreach at the Hops for the Homeless event by a friend who is on the Board of Directors. Mario joined the Ambassador Board in 2016 after being drawn to the organization because of its mission to help those most in need.
“I enjoy serving those in need and doing a small part to help people who are homeless improve their lives. Volunteering gives me a greater perspective on what I have and why I should be helping others.”
John Mannebach, III
John Mannebach III is a Financial Analyst for Kaufman Hall which helps healthcare providers improve their financial performance, make effective strategic decisions, and achieve transformative outcomes through experienced consulting and data analytics. John is from the Chicagoland area and received his BBA from Loyola University Chicago in 2015. He is an aspiring Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Law student and produces his own music. John has been a volunteer and an Ambassador Board member at Franciscan Outreach since September 2017.
“The Ambassador Board allows you to connect with Franciscan Outreach guests and like-minded professionals helping to make a difference in the lives of people who are marginalized through unique and engaging service opportunities”
Melissa McGlynn
Melissa McGlynn is a Chicago native who loves to explore the city like a tourist. Between its history and hidden neighborhood gems, this really is her kind of town. Providing service at St. Genevieve Catholic Church and within her community is very important to her, which is what led Melissa to serving guests at Franciscan Outreach. She has introduced many volunteers to serve at Franciscan Outreach and loves that they’ve had just as great of an experience as she has had over the years.
“Franciscan Outreach has been a part of my life for many years, but I was encouraged to join the Ambassador Board a few years back. Fundraising, outreach and networking with people who have a passion for service are among my favorite aspects of this organization.”
Michael Mead
Michael Mead is an attorney and a partner with the Chicago firm Faklis, Tallis & Mead, where he focuses his practice on representing injured persons and their families in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Michael has won numerous jury trials for his clients in highly disputed cases, including several jury verdicts that have been featured in local and national publications and he has recently been named an Illinois Super Lawyer “Rising Star.” Michael began volunteering with the Franciscan Outreach shelter on Chicago’s West Side in 2013.
“For me, volunteering with the Ambassador Board has been a great way to give back and serve some of the members of the community who are most vulnerable and most in need. I have always been impressed with the way Franciscan Outreach is able to provide so many services to the community in such a compassionate and efficient way and I really appreciate being involved with this organization.”
Amanda Phraner
Over the past 15 years, Amanda has inspired people to care about their health, building communities of support by harnessing digital channels in new ways to reach diverse audiences that transcended geographies and social circles. Currently focused on the transformation of the commercial capabilities and platforms to optimize digital marketing globally within the healthcare industry, Amanda continues to see and deliver on the incredible potential in digital to deliver new connections and support for those living with rare diseases around the world. Upon moving to Chicago, Amanda sought ways to be a part of her new home and make a positive impact for the community. She found this in Franciscan Outreach and became a volunteer at the shelter on Harrison Street in 2016, later joining the Ambassador Board in 2017 to continue to support the organization’s mission.
“Privileged are we who have the opportunity to humbly serve our community, to make a positive impact, and to ensure that others have access to the basic necessities we so often take for granted. Being a part of Franciscan Outreach is to know that each of our small gestures and work can help to transform someone’s life and our community overall.”
Rob Yanku
Rob Yanku is originally from Rhode Island and settled in Chicago in 2011. Rob attended the University of Rhode Island where he earned a BS in Marketing which he has applied to an IT sales career within Schneider Electric’s IT Division. Rob was first introduced to the Franciscan Outreach through his work as the volunteer coordinator with St. Mike’s Church in Old Town and as a result has become passionate with Franciscan Outreach’s mission.
“I have a deep connection with the idea that the organization keeps paramount the long-term improvement of the life of the guests as much or even more than the day-to-day needs. The goal is to preserve the dignity of the guests and get them to the point of being self-sufficient through the necessary steps to build that person up. Building people up personally and professionally is something I always try to do in my life as I live the power of positive thinking.”