We Offer
Leadership
Ike Muzikowski
The son of Hope founders, Bob and Tina Muzikowski, Ike graduated CHA in 2011 before studying Economics at Columbia University. He served as the College Counselor, Admissions Director, long-term sub, International Student Program Director, and varsity soccer coach prior to earning a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Harvard. Ike lives in East Garfield Park, and enjoys international travel, soccer, classic novels, stand-up comedy, and announcing Hope sports games.
Patrick Ahern
Pat Ahern is a financial executive with extensive experience working with large and small organizations. Most recently, Pat was the Chief Financial Officer at Northwestern Mutual Chicago. Pat holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was an Evans Scholar. He also earned an MBA in Corporate Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Pat has served as the President of the 1900 Club at Immaculate Conception Grade School for more than 10 years. He serves on the board of the United Cerebral Palsy of Chicago Foundation. He also serves as a mentor for the Bridge Communities transitional housing program. Pat lives in Elmhurst with his wife and their four boys. Pat enjoys golf, running, college football, coaching his son's basketball and football teams, and spending time with his family.
Charles Landrum
Charles has been a part of the Hope community for over 6 years. While serving as the pastor of Harvest House Church on the west-side of Chicago, Charles was invited to preach at a chapel service at Hope Academy. The mission and vision of Hope aligned so perfectly with how He had been praying for God to use him in the communities where he grew up. He applied his experience and training in real estate and business to come alongside the mission of Hope Cafe and Hope Homes from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, Charles transitioned and began to serve in the role of Dean of School Culture with Hope Academy. With the combination of his military background, experience in youth leadership and pastoral wisdom, Charles is tasked with leading the charge to inspire and direct Hope students and families to embrace the culture that makes Hope unique and distinctive from any other program of its kind.
Christopher Mallette
Christopher is the Director of Community Relations and Outreach, a member of the Development Team and the Head Football Coach at Chicago Hope Academy. He is the former Executive Director of the Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy and the former City of Chicago Director of Community Safety Initiatives where he worked to reduce group and gang violence in the City of Chicago.
Christopher has devoted his life to public service, advocating for social justice and serving residents and children in urban communities. He has coached football for more than twenty-five years and has also served the City of Chicago as an Assistant Corporation Counsel; the Faith Community of St. Sabina as General Counsel and Executive Director of the youth center, and the Chicago Public Schools, as a Magnet Schools Cluster Coordinator. Mallette has an A.B. from Princeton University graduate and a J.D. from the University of
Pennsylvania School of Law. Christopher and his wife Kendall have four children.
Rebecca Rodriguez
Rebecca Rodriguez, born and raised in Illinois, received her BS from Middle Tennessee State University in Art, History, English, and Human Development. She then went on to receive her MA in Literature and her Teaching Certificate from the University of New Hampshire. Over the years, Rebecca has taught writing, grammar, film, literature, and science at various high schools and colleges, including the University of New Hampshire, Harold Washington College, Malcolm X College, College of DuPage, Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, and several Chicagoland Christian homeschool co-ops. She loves to chill at home in Humboldt Park with her three school-aged sons (two of which attend Hope!), her husband of 21 years, and their Irish Terrier pup. She enjoys yoga, camping, road trips, birding, and hanging out in her backyard around the fire pit. Rebecca serves at Chicago Hope Academy with this quote in mind: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ― Aristotle
Joe Salituro
Joe Salituro was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. After attending Loyola Academy, he went on to graduate from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts – Communications degree. Prior to joining the Athletics Department at Chicago Hope Academy in 2020, Joe spent almost two decades working in sports marketing and event management. He was in charge of numerous sporting events including, The Under Armour All-America Football Game, The College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championships, and The College Home Run Derby. Joe’s main responsibilities at Hope include leading the Athletics Department and managing the Athletics Campus, which includes Hope Gym, Hope Track, and Hope Field at Altgeld Park. Joe currently lives on the northwest side of Chicago with his wife and two sons.
Amy Sexton Stanislavski
Amy is a seasoned fundraising professional with a B.A. in English and a Certificate in Special Education and Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and holds a Philanthropic Leadership Certificate from Indiana University. With extensive experience across various organizations, including dioceses, schools, and nonprofits, Amy specializes in major capital campaigns, donor cultivation, and development strategy. She founded AES Consulting in 2017 and The RD Coach in 2023, aiming to empower nonprofit professionals. A dedicated community leader, she serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northwest IN and is actively involved with several charities. Outside of her professional endeavors, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and has completed the Chicago Marathon—though she vows never to run another! Residing in St. John, Indiana, she shares her home with her husband, daughter, and beloved dogs.
Teachers
Latausha Allen
Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Cheyenne Brooks
Environmental Science, AP Environmental Science, Physics, STEAM Initiatives
Nate Brumbaugh
Foundations of Faith
Aidan Busch
US History, AP US History, Social Studies Department Head, Electives Department Head, Leadership Intern
Daniel Cameron
Systematic Theology, Finding God in Film, Biblical Studies Department Head, Director of Spiritual Life
Johanna DeHaven
World History, AP World History
Agustin Fajardo
English III, Honors English III, AP Language & Composition
Jake Fischer
Algebra I
Angel Galan
Spanish, Art, Computer Science
Talmadge Gerald
Archaeology: Society, Language, and Culture
Jordan Gracia
College Counseling
Ben Hanson de Pretis
Statistics, Pre Calculus, Creative Writing, Math Department Head
Charles Kolmer
English II, English III
Adam Lawlor
English I, Honors English I, AP Literature & Composition, English Department Head
Ruby Lorenzo
Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Chemistry Foundations
Kirsten Madsen
Algebra II, AP Calculus
Emily Nerem
Biology, Honors Biology, AP Biology, Science Department Head
Jose Ortiz
Geometry
Luke Petro
English IV, Honors English IV, Entrepreneurial Youth Program
Travis Shannan
Civic and Geography, AP Government and Politics
Stephen Schreiber
Honors Philosophy, Honors African Literature, Greek I
Kevin Walters
Career and Technical Science
Staff
Kristen Blevins
Student Success Coordinator
Gail Clark
Executive Assistant to the President
Jenellie Coleman
School Counselor
Julia Dennis
Marketing Communications Manager
Ronnie Fields
Head Basketball Coach
Tess Hanson de Pretis
Registrar
Kewa Marshall
Facilities & Maintenance
Dionne McKenzie
Learning Specialist
Daniel Mendez
Assistant Athletic Director
Melissa Montiel
School Operations Manager
Stephanie Montiel
Office Administrator
Scout Muzikowski
Director of Admissions and Student Life, Pre-Algebra Teacher
Jose Nietes
Career Advancement Director
Lissette Ortiz
Alumni Relations
Stephanie Ritchie
IT
Dorian Robinson
Associate Admissions Director
Keith Sanders
Assistant Building Manager
Shavon Stephens
Office Administrator
Valerie Thomas
Staff Accountant
Board of Directors
Brian Sir
Board Chair, Finance and Investment Committees
DeRondal Bevly
Executive and Marketing Committees
Josh Cauhorn
Executive Committee, Corporate Secretary
Michael Edwards
Executive and Investment Committees
Matt Gerdes is a Principal and Managing Director of Freeport Financial Partners LLC, a Chicago-based investment management firm. He is responsible for structuring and managing middle-market private credit investments for Freeport’s funds and is a member of the firm’s investment and management committees. Mr. Gerdes graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Western Springs and have two college-age children. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with family and friends on Delavan Lake in Wisconsin and coaching youth basketball.
Matt Gerdes
Committee Member
Kristin Jackson
Marketing Committee
Gene Kent
Committee Member
David Lewis
Finance Committee Chair
Tom Luick
Committee Member
Bart Marchant
Committee Member
Traci Melcher
Invest in Kids Specialist, Committee Member
Susana Meza
Committee Member
Antonia Mills Wesselink
Executive Committee
Chris Porter
Committee Member
Jim Sharman
Committee Member
Gregg Vann
Investment and Finance Committees
A little bit of History
In 2004, a group of Christian businessmen purchased the shuttered St. Callistus School and parish from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The parish included school facilities, a chapel, a gym, a rectory, and a convent. With the assistance of hundreds of volunteers, future students, and eventually private contractors, Chicago Hope Academy began a full year of renovation. Highlights included hosting 200 volunteers from Aurora Christian High School who spent their spring break living on our gym floor by night and executing the demolition plan and chapel stage reconstruction by day. August 29, 2005 after a memorable grand opening ceremony, Chicago Hope Academy welcomed its first freshman and sophomore classes. It soon became clear in 2006 that future enrollments would necessitate additional classrooms and athletic facilities. Construction began on a new wing and continued through the summer. In fall 2007, five additional classrooms were added, in addition to a reception area for the chapel, and a state-of-the-art weight room and cardio room. A beautiful artificial turf surface was added to Hope Field and Altgeld Park in 2013. The Hope track was completed in 2019. Chicago Hope Academy continues to expand in the Near West Side community.
Founders
Bob and Tina Muzikowski
Contact Us
2189 W Bowler Street Chicago, IL 60612
Main Number: (312) 491-1600
Email: info@chicagohopeacademy.org