Our Board of Directors
Jennifer Splinter
Global Mobility, Raytheon Technologies
President
Jenn Splinter (she/her/hers) is a professional in the field of immigration and global mobility. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Masters degree from the University of East London. Jenn is currently the Senior Manager, Global Mobility at Raytheon Technologies. Prior to this role, Jenn worked at Meta and oversaw immigration and mobility for the US member firm of the globally renowned and respected professional services firm, Grant Thornton. Jenn previously worked for various law firms overseeing and managing the provision of global immigration services for a diverse portfolio of individual, small, medium and large clients.
Jenn joined the Board of Directors at Between Friends in January of 2021.
Susan Hoesly
Global Product Manager, Ingredion
President Elect
Susan is a Global Product Manager at Ingredion in sugar reduction. Prior to joining Ingredion, she focused on ESOP and M&A advisory with middle market companies at Verit, William Blair and Lazard. Susan has a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame. Susan joined the Between Friends board in 2022.
Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq.
Principal and Managing Attorney, Next Level Law
President Emeritus
Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq. is a Founder and Principal Attorney at NextLevel Law, P.C. As an advocate and legal counsel, Daniel assists families experiencing divorce, child custody and support, domestic violence, and DCFS proceedings. Daniel has advocated on behalf of mothers, fathers, and even grandparents. Daniel is regularly appointed by Circuit Court judges to advocate on behalf of children as Guardian Ad Litem and Child Representative.
Daniel’s passion, determination, and hard work has been recognized by his peers and the overall community through accolades including the 2016 Favorite Adjunct Professor Award from UIC John Marshall Law School Student Bar Association. He has been recognized in lists such as the Windy City Times 30 under 30 Award (2018), BEQ Pride Magazine 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 (2020); and Crain’s LGBTQ Notable Executives (2020).
Caroline Rondot
Global Mobility Partner, META
Secretary
Caroline joined the Between Friends Board of Directors in July 2023 and leads our Strategic Planning Committee. Caroline works at META and in her free time, enjoys spending time with her family.
Anna Nalls
Owner, Anna Nalls CPA PC
Treasurer
Is the owner of a boutique CPA firm in Evanston. Anna received an accounting degree from Northeastern Illinois University. Anna is involved in community and always ready to lend a hand; a problem solver; a mother to two awesome young men and two great dogs.
Michelle Coussens
Consultant & Owner, Plan B Consulting
Board Member
Michelle Coussens is a seasoned business strategist and speaker, specializing in workplace topics such as talent management, business strategy, and operational effectiveness. With extensive experience across industries, consulting, education, and non-profits, she has a proven track record of creating new programs, improving efficiencies, and driving long-term success. Since 2005, Michelle has owned Plan B Consulting, offering services in strategic planning, project management, leadership, and organizational development.
Her previous roles include Dean of the School of Business at Kendall College, leadership at Capsim Management Simulations, and work with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Michelle holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MBA from DePaul University.
Sarah Crocker
Career Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Board Member
Sarah is a career law clerk for a federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois, where she researches and writes opinions on complex civil and criminal legal issues. Before working as a law clerk, she was a litigation associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP. Sarah has a JD from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and a BA in English Literature and Spanish from Northwestern University. Sarah joined the Between Friends board in 2024, but has been a long-time advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She worked with domestic violence survivors and with former and current sex workers as a legal fellow at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), volunteered with the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline and, while an undergraduate at Northwestern, worked with faculty and administrators to write and implement a new sexual assault policy for the university.
Katherine Gipe
Principal, Gipe Family Law and Mediation, LLC
Board Member
Katherine M. Gipe, Esq. is Founder and Principal Attorney at Gipe Family Law and Mediation, LLC. She has committed her legal career to families and children, including extensive work for clients in cases involving complex custody disputes and intimate partner / domestic violence. She has been twice-recognized by PILI for her dedication to pro-bono efforts in Chicago.
Prior to practicing law, Katherine was a public educator in Kindergarten and private professional in early childhood, working with children ages three to six. She is a proud undergraduate of the University of Iowa, and returned to University of Illinois (Chicago) as an adjunct professor in 2016.
Katherine joined the Board of Directors at Between Friends in July of 2023.
Erin Ryan
CEO of Shore Community Services
Board Member
Erin Ryan has over 20 years of experience leading organizations that provide direct services, housing supports, and healthcare to vulnerable youth, families, and individuals. Shore Community Services is a trusted leader in providing services and support for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. As CEO, Erin provides leadership and vision to advance the mission and strategic goals of the organization, working closely with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors. Erin holds a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Public Health, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Previously, Erin served in leadership roles at The Night Ministry and Lincoln Park Community Services. She has also served on the Board of Directors for several human service, healthcare, and social justice organizations.
Kara Tucker
Manager of Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy at The Night Ministry
Board Member
Kara works on the Institutional Advancement team at Chicago’s largest human service provider and also offers expertise as an independent grant consultant. With a personal history shaped by generations of poverty and domestic violence, Kara proudly became a first-generation college graduate, earning a BS in Political Science and Communication Studies, followed by an MA in Urban Community Studies. Passionate about causes that are deeply meaningful and personal to her, such as gender-based violence, low-income students, and first-generation professionals, Kara is thrilled to join the Between Friends board in 2024.
Kara and her son enjoy taking their chocolate lab to the beach and soaking in all that Chicago has to offer. They love participating in events and programs through the Chicago Park District and discovering community events to attend.
Kay Warren
Founder, KB & Associates
Board Member
Kay Warren, LCSW is the founder of KB & Associates Therapy Practice. Kay specializes in Women and Families healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Domestic Violence. She has over 14 years of therapy experience and 20 years of healthcare experience. Her secondary interests include perinatal and reproductive mood disorders, eating disorders in adolescents and young adults, and women’s mental health related to menopause, parenting, significant others, work stress, etc. She has worked at major hospitals, primary care clinics, nonprofit organizations and assisted living/nursing homes. She uses both physical and mental health to understand the individual completely, with the ability to articulate the connections between mind/body and how our physical health contributes to our mood and vice versa. Kay joined the Between Friends Board of Directors in July 2023.
Craig Welch
Retired Executive Director, TD Bank
Board Member
Craig joined the Board of Between Friends in July 2022 and is a member of the Internal Affairs Committee. In addition to his service with Between Friends, Craig is active as a volunteer consultant to Chicago area nonprofits and as a mentor to students and to refugees who have resettled in Chicago.
Craig held various senior corporate banking, structured finance and public finance positions before retiring in 2021. He received BA and MBA degrees from the University of Chicago.