CROSO Board and Staff
Photo of Board and Staff at the 2018 CROSO Benefit
CROSO's Board of Directors
These individuals passionately dedicate themselves to CROSO's mission. Board members are all volunteers and each serves on at least one committee. We are so grateful for the commitment and support of these board members!
Staff
Albert Riley
Staff Position: Executive Director
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Albert brings over 20 years of public service experience including: program and financial administration; policy analysis, design, and implementation in a variety of settings including universities, public utilities, municipal government and regional providers of health and human support services. Albert often shares “Communication is a vital part of any relationship as each party has needs, expectations and goals to be fulfilled.”
With a Bachelors and Masters degree in Communication from University of Illinois and DePaul University and additional graduate study in Public Policy & Economics, Albert seeks to serve by understanding the capacity and constraints of individuals and organizations, and empowering them to make better decisions for themselves and their communities. Albert seeks to continuously nurture relationships and engage others in participating in problem solving and designing their community to best meet their needs.
Molly MacCready
Staff Position: Executive Director (2016-September 2023)
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Molly believes whole-heartedly in the potential for each CROSO Scholar to become an agent for change in their community. “When our scholars first begin their CROSO Scholarship, they already have the passion and dedication to be successful. CROSO’s role is simply to open the door and provide the scholars with access to university, college, or technical school and the experiences that accompany those academic programs.” Molly has watched as scholars grew in confidence and skill throughout their CROSO Scholarship. She’s also seen the impact that access to higher education has had on each scholar, their families, and the larger Ugandan community. “When scholars graduate, they enter the workforce as capable professionals and so many have gone on to be transformative leaders.”
Molly's desire to create CROSO stemmed from her study abroad experience in Uganda in 2006 where she had the opportunity to work with the Ugandan street children's NGO, Child Restoration Outreach (C.R.O.). Molly went on to receive her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Dayton in 2008 and served for two years as a Marianist Volunteer in Karonga, Malawi. When she returned to the States, she pursued a master's degree in Public Health and graduated from the University of Illinois - Chicago in 2013.
Richard Mutambuli
Staff Position: Program Coordinator
Location: Mbale, Uganda
Richard joined the CROSO staff in 2022, after working for over 20 years as a community development worker. He is experienced in community empowerment and enhancement of stakeholder involvement in development initiatives, as well as building capacity for sustainability.
Richard’s academic background (bachelor’s degree in Education from Makerere University and a master’s degree in Climate Change and Disaster Management from Busitema University) have given Richard the perspective to recognize gaps in services, especially within the education systems. Richard is excited to join the CROSO team after having been familiar with CROSO’s scholarship program since 2007 when he had been working at CROSO’s partner organization, Child Restoration Outreach. “I have worked with C.R.O. for 15 years in supporting former street children achieve their dreams through education and economic empowerment and firmly believe that everyone deserves a bright future.”
Past Board Members
We are very grateful for the service of those who have been on our board in the past. We would not be where we are today as an organization without them.
Tom Bertsche
Board Member: 2012-2016
David Blumenthal
Board Member: 2014-2018
Michael Bowen
Board Member: 2017-2021
Kathy Carey
Board Member: 2015-2018
Cathy Chester
Board Member: 2007-2012
Julie Collins
Board Member: 2007-2013
Geoff Curtis
Board Member: 2017-2022
Terri Evans
Board Member: 2021-2023
Margaret Feit Clarke
Board Member: 2007-2012
Marion Flynn
Board Member: 2007-2015
Bob Heineman
Board Member: 2007-2011
Eileen Hogan Heineman
Board Member: 2007-2014
Wendy Heineman
Board Member: 2021-2023
Lisa Hyatt
Board Member: 2010-2017
Edward Kasule
Board Member: 2013-2014
Allen Kakooza
Board Member: 2013-2015
Moses Khisa
Board Member: 2018-2019
Beth Lampson
Board Member: 2011-2021
Kyle Lauterhahn
Board Member: 2015-2018
David Matanda
Board Member: 2015-2017
Megan McBride
Board Member: 2017-2022
Margaret McClory
Board Member: 2007-2012
Tina Nolan
Board Member: 2014-2017
Margy Roberts
Board Member: 2013-2020
Sally Ryan
Board Member: 2010-2018
Omar Salem
Board Member: 2012-2017
Elsa VanHove
Board Member: 2014-2022