About Us

Chicago Hope Academy is a college and life preparatory high school dedicated to nurturing and challenging the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – to the glory of God.

We Offer

1

A challenging college preparatory curriculum that balances physical, mental, and spiritual development.

2

Gifted teachers who encourage and mentor students.

3

Athletics which teach the value of teamwork, discipline, sacrifice, sportsmanship, and perseverance.

4

Opportunities for students to appreciate and practice the arts.

5

A school that impacts the student, family, and surrounding community for Christ.

6

A school that teaches and exemplifies a servant attitude.

The Triangle Philosophy

Chicago Hope Academy invests in the development of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – to the glory of God.

Christ Centered Education

The Bible is taught as a core subject emphasizing the authority of God’s word.

Academic Excellence

Chicago Hope Academy is committed to holding faculty and students to a high academic standard.

Family Focus

Students are taught to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves. The staff models this principle with passion and conviction. (Mark 9:35; John 15:12, 13; Philippians 2:1-8)

Leadership

Ike Muzikowski

President and Principal

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.

Michael Broccolino

Chief Finance Officer

Michael grew up in Chicago and is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. He was a CPA and ran his own company for 35 years specializing in small and mid-sized companies. He became the CFO of Hope in January of 2021 and is motivated each day by the mission of the school to assist in the guidance of young adults' lives as well as their academic success. He believes the culture of everyone inspires all of us. Michael is also a golfer and loves great restaurants.

Joe Salituro

Athletic Director

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.

Charles Landrum

Dean of School Culture

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

Director of Community Engagement

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's career has focused upon education, youth violence prevention and intervention, juvenile justice, gang intervention and prevention and ex-offender reentry initiatives. Before his appointment to the Mayor’s Office, Mr. Mallette served as the Executive Director of Chicago’s Juvenile Intervention Support Center.
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. Christopher and his wife Kendall have four children.

Rebecca Rodriguez

Dean of Academics

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

Teachers

Mrs. Allen was born and raised in the Lawndale community. She earned her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Minor in Sociology from Northern Illinois University. Mrs. Allen is married with 5 children and spends most of her time reading books, watching crime shows, studying God’s word and creating her own cold pressed juice to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a first year teacher she is excited about working with the biblical studies department and looking forward to creating a positive learning environment where we can learn and grow together.

Latausha Allen
Psychology, Sociology

Mr. B is from Ohio and is not going back, he’s been in Chicago for 9 years and lives in Lakeview East. He got a MA in Pastoral Ministry from Moody Theological Seminary and teaches Foundations of Faith as well as Pre-Algebra. He’s also a part time youth Pastor at the Moody church where his wife also works, so he lives his life dedicated to supporting teens and sharing the love of Christ with them. He’s a big fan of board games, video games, movies, and painting miniatures.

Nate Brumbaugh
Foundations of Faith, Pre-Algebra

Mr. Busch is a graduate of Wheaton College and teaches AP, Honors, and on-level United States History. He is passionate about developing historical thinking skills, literacy, and the ability of his students to understand complex history & resist simple utilitarian narratives. In his history classes, he emphasizes utilizing moral reflection to examine the past and ourselves as we encounter history through primary sources. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, he is a proud Cubs fan.

Aidan Busch
AP US History, US History

Dr. Daniel J. Cameron (Ph.D. The University of Aberdeen) is the Bible Department Head, Director of Spiritual Life, and 12th grade Bible teacher. He is an ordained minister and a pastor. He has over 7 years of experience in the classroom and over 15 years of ministry experience. He has taught as an adjunct professor at both Trinity Christian College and Moody Bible Institute. He is the author of a book “Flesh and Blood” and currently serves as the general editor for the forthcoming book “The Office: The Theological and Religious World of a Pennsylvania Paper Company.”

Daniel Cameron
Christian Theology & Apologetics

Ms. DeHaven teaches each level of World History at Chicago Hope Academy. She went to Wheaton College for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her bachelor’s is in Bible and Theology and her master’s is in History of Christianity. Ms. DeHaven also received her teaching certification in Secondary Education – Social Studies/History from the University of Illinois-Springfield. In her spare time, Ms. DeHaven enjoys reading, running, watching baseball, traveling, and playing with her family’s dogs.

Johanna DeHaven
World History, AP World History, Honors World History

Mr. Derdall is a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia with majors in Philosophy and Religion and the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. He is currently a doctoral candidate in UVa’s Graduate Program in Religious Studies. He grew up in the Proving Grounds of the Arizona and California deserts, surrounded by sisters.

Patrick Derdall
Precalculus, Statistics and Probability, Logic

Mrs. Dukes was born and raised outside of San Jose, Costa Rica. She grew up attending many church and youth camps where she quickly learned how to lead games and activities, and most importantly love the Lord. For university, she attended the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica where she studied Investigative Journalism. She has worked and traveled in Brazil and Germany before coming to the US. Mrs. Dukes is trilingual in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. In her free time she loves to go hiking with friends and family, finding new waterfalls, hosting friends with her husband, and encouraging people in their gifts.

Esther Dukes
Spanish II, Spanish III

Mr. Dukes grew up primarily in the western suburbs of Chicago. He studied at the University of Iowa for undergrad and completed a master’s in Higher Education and Student Development at Wheaton College. Since working at Hope, he’s helped out with the business office, the international students’ boarding program, College and Career Counseling, Cross Country, Track and Field and Pre Algebra and Algebra 1. He is grateful and excited to help students work through their next steps in college and their careers as he understands that the habits students build now help determine the outcomes of their future (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Peter Dukes
College and Career Prep, Economics

Mr. Fajardo was raised most of his life around Fort Lauderdale in sunny South Florida. He moved to Chicago to study at Moody Bible Institute where he earned a B.A. in Theology and also played on the men’s soccer team. While at college he met and married his wife, Reba, and they currently have two children. Mr. Fajardo hopes, Lord-willing, to be ordained one day as a Western-Rite priest in the Orthodox Church.

Santiago Fajardo
Geometry, Visual Art

Mr. Gerald grew up in sunny Jacksonville, Florida, only moving to Chicago eight years ago for graduate school at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Completing his PhD at Andrews University, Mr. Gerald is an archaeologist who loves discussing how archaeology helps us understand and illuminate the world of the Bible. A world traveler, he has been to every continent (except Antarctica, one day) and travels to the Middle East every summer to excavate in Jordan.

Talmadge Gerald
English IV, Archaeology

Hailing from the wonderful west coast, Mr. Lawlor currently dwells in Avondale with his wife. He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and is working on a Masters from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He is Hope’s English Department Head and teaches Freshman Literature, Honors Freshman Literature, and AP Literature and Composition. While not occupied with forming critical thinkers, eloquent communicators, and speedy readers, you might find Mr. Lawlor at the rock climbing gym, eating delicious and diverse cuisine, listening to a podcast from This American Life or watching a “pretentious film”.

Adam Lawlor
English I, Honors English I, AP Literature & Composition

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Ms. Ruby Yao Lorenzo speaks Hokkien, Filipino, English, and Mandarin. Interested in natural sciences, she majored in Chemistry, the central science for her bachelor degree obtained from Far Eastern University. While teaching Chemistry in Ateneo de Manila High School, she pursued and obtained the degree, Master of Science in Chemistry Education from Ateneo de Manila University.

Ruby Lorenzo
Chemistry

Ms. Madsen attended Wheaton College where she played basketball and earned a degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Concordia University Irvine. In her third year at Hope, she will be the Math Department Chair and teach Algebra 2 and AP Calculus. In her free time, Ms. Madsen enjoys playing pickleball, listening to Maverick City, and spending time with her family and friends.

Kirsten Madsen
Algebra II, AP Calculus

Mr. Martinez was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. He lived in the city until 8th grade, then moved to Cidra, Puerto Rico, where he attended high school. After graduating highschool in 2012, he decided to join the Army and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. After a combat deployment to Afghanistan and six years of service, it was time to hang up his uniform and hit the books. He obtained a BA in Christian Ministries Studies and Spanish.

Roberto Martinez
Spanish I, Spanish & Heritage I

Ms. McKenzie will be joining the English Department working with the 10th graders. She is a Chicago native, but ventured away to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for her undergraduate degree. She returned to Chicago to receive her graduate degree from Chicago State University. She is also a mom of 4 wonderful children, who certainly keep her busy while she is at home.

Dionne McKenzie
English II, Honors English II

Hey there the gentlemen in the photo above name is Corderius Norton aka Mr. Norton or Coach Corey! He was born and raised in Chicago. Living in multiple neighborhoods from Englewood, Little Village, Cicero & Belmont Craigin. Coach Corey served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps and has earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He enjoys volunteering in youth programs that cater towards mentorship and biblical counseling for young adults and teens.

Corderius Norton
Language Arts

Originally from San Juan, PR. Mr. Ortiz has been teaching for 16 years. Six of those years have been at Chicago Hope Academy. He has taught Spanish 1, Spanish Heritage, Honors Spanish, Computers and Psychology during the past 6 years. This year, he will be teaching an Introduction to Human Geography class for freshmen. More than education itself, Mr. Ortiz is passionate about investing his time and energy into what God has called him to.

Jose Ortiz-Morris
Human Geography, Computer Literacy, Spanish Heritage

Ms. Nerem graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Biology. She was a member of the women’s basketball team at Wheaton as well. She will be teaching Freshman Biology, Honors Biology and AP Biology. Ms. Nerem is from a small, rural town in Minnesota. This summer she is living in the Dominican Republic and working with GO Ministries. She loves talking about her experience as a swine research intern and anything about farming! She loves animals, sports and traveling.

Emily Nerem
Biology

Mr. Hanson de Pretis grew up in northern Wisconsin, where he developed a love for writing, basketball, and cross-country skiing. Wanting to live somewhere warmer while pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he crossed the Illinois border and attended Wheaton College. He has now spent enough time in Chicagoland to understand that Lou Malnati’s is the best place to get deep dish pizza, the L is the fastest way to commute around town, and the Sox are the city’s true baseball team.

Ben Hanson de Pretis
Civics, Geography

Mr. Schreiber teaches Philosophy. His teaching is in large measure shaped by two contexts. First, he grew up in Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire where his family cared for a menagerie of wild animals, including apes, monkeys, deer, a civet, a crocodile, and a bush baby. “You can take the boy out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of the boy.” Second, he became acquainted with Plato years ago and has been enjoying a deepening friendship ever since. “Choose your friends wisely.” Speaking of wisely, philosophy is defined as the “love of wisdom.” With each passing year, Schreiber senses a growing need for wisdom.

Stephen Schreiber
Philosophy, Greek

Mr. Shannan graduated from Olivet Nazarene University. This is his first year at Chicago Hope Academy, and he will be teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. In his free time, Mr. Shannan enjoys playing volleyball, hockey, and spending time with family and friends.

Travis Shannan
Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, History of Sports

Mr. Sierra grew up near Seattle, Washington; this city and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region are still close to his soul. After completing his Bachelor’s degree at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Mr. Sierra and his wife moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he attended Regent College and completed his Master’s in theology, with an emphasis on how theology, philosophy, and literature all interact with one another. Mr. Sierra is thrilled to teach Hope’s American Literature and AP Language and Composition courses.

Daniel Sierra
Language Arts, English III, AP Language and Composition

Mrs. West will be teaching Environmental Science this year! She recently graduated from Olivet Nazarene University! She enjoys spending time with her husband Dominic, her two dogs Rosie and Bean, and her cat Fluffy! Mrs. West also enjoys spending time outside! Last summer, she ventured to Costa Rica where she was able to hike the Talamanca mountains and perform research on a bamboo species found at different elevations. Along with hiking, she also likes running, playing tennis, and kayaking.

Cheyenne West
Environmental Science

Staff

Gail Clark has been a pillar in her community for many years and is passionate about the students and families in which she serves and brings to the table over 15 years in education and more than 25 years in a role of leadership and development. She comes to Hope in the capacity of the Executive Assistant to the President. Gail studied Psychology Pre-Med at the University of Illinois at Chicago and continued to study Business Management with a concentration in Leadership and Development at National Louis University. She is a football mom and is excited to be an Eagle!

Gail Clark
Executive Assistant to the President

Jenellie is a Chicago native (GO CUBS!) born and raised in the West side of Chicago in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Jenellie is the first generation of her family to graduate from college receiving her master’s in Social Worker from Northeastern Illinois University. Jenellie loves to encourage, support, and empower students and staff at Hope. Her favorite things are dancing, laughing, and cuddling her fur baby (JAXX).

Jenellie Coleman
School Counselor

Julia grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago and is a graduate of CPS. After obtaining a degree in English Writing from Wheaton College, she worked at several mission-driven organizations doing events and communications. Julia is excited to be at Hope because of the energy of the students and the compassion and diversity of the whole school community. Her favorite things to do in Chicago are to explore bookstores and swim in Lake Michigan.

Julia Dennis
Marketing Communications Manager

Irma Dominguez
Building Manager

Sean grew up as the oldest of 3 siblings in Villa Park. After paying for his cybersecurity degree from College of Dupage by working as a fire alarm inspector, he began doing contracting work for various companies until landing a permanent job here at Hope. He loves the community aspect at Hope and takes pride in working somewhere that betters the lives of so many people. He used to be an amature chemist in Highschool until he filled his bedroom with poisonous Nitrogen Dioxide gas during an experiment.

Sean Gillespie
IT Specialist

Williett grew up on the west side of Chicago. She knew early on that she wanted to be of service to her community. After earning degrees in Accounting, Management and Human Resource Management, she did what she promised. She returned to work in the community that raised her. It has been her pleasure to work for inner city schools that provide college preparatory education and experience to its youth. Williett encourages youth to never stop learning and exploring. She has one son who is a police officer. Williett enjoys cooking for her family and friends, bowling, and supporting small unknown businesses.

Williett Hewlett
Business Office Coordinator

Christine grew up in Chicago and Romeoville, Illinois: becoming more creative, bookish, and animal-loving every year. She studied theology and cross-cultural ministry at Moody Bible Institute, child development at the Erikson Institute, and children’s ministry at Child Evangelism Fellowship. Christine was also an Illinois certified Nursing Assistant for many years and is fascinated by how gross and awesome humans are. She has worked in fundraising for homeless shelters, but Hope is the first high school she has worked at and she loves the Gospel and life-formation mindset within every aspect of the school. She plays ukulele.

Christine Holt
Executive Assistant to Chief Advancement Officer

Kewa Marshall
Facilities & Maintenence

Lafayette McGary Jr is an accomplished Assistant Athletic Director at Chicago Hope Academy. With a master’s degree in Business Design and Innovation earned in 2020, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. Born and raised in the Austin neighborhood, Lafayette is passionate about giving back to his community and helping young people achieve their goals. Having graduated from Hope himself, he understands the students and is dedicated to helping them succeed both on and off the field. With his leadership and expertise, Lafayette is making a significant impact on the lives of students at Chicago Hope Academy.

Lafayette McGary
Assistant Athletic Director

Traci Melcher was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is a
graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and holds a Master’s degree in Political/Military affairs from Georgetown University. Commissioned in the United States Navy in 1985, Traci served in a variety of sea and shore assignments over her 23 year Navy Career most notably as Commanding Officer of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six.

Traci Melcher
Invest in Kids Specialist

Melissa Montiel is a proud Hope alumna and a first-generation college student who received her BA in Sociology and Spanish from Wheaton College. She is passionate about college readiness and access to equal opportunities available to first-generation students. She is also a Director of Academics with HFS Chicago Scholars.

Melissa Montiel
Main Office Manager

Scout Muzikowski works as a Director of Admissions & Student Life, Girls Rugby Coach, and Assistant Girls Basketball Coach. Scout is a daughter of Hope founders, Bob and Tina Muzikowski, and graduated from Hope in 2015. Upon graduating, she attended the University of Notre Dame where she captained the women’s rugby team and enjoyed growing YoungLife programs serving inner city students in the local South Bend community. Scout then spent time as a commercial real estate broker before returning to her alma mater.

Scout Muzikowski
Director of Admissions

Jose grew up in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago and is a Chicago Hope Academy alumni. After obtaining a degree in Business – Finance from Calvin University, he worked at the City of Grand Rapids doing community and business development and at Bank of America doing personal banking. Jose is excited to be back at Hope and be part of Hope’s supportive and compassionate community. His favorite things in Chicago are trying new coffee shops and restaurants, playing pick-up basketball, and exploring different neighborhoods.

Jose Nietes
Career Advancement Director

After surviving two kidney transplants and a pancreas transplant, Lissette battled diabetes, lost her vision, and lived in the ICU for nearly two decades. Once she was restored to full health in 2016, Lissette began volunteering at Hope to give back to the school that provided wrap-around services for her son. Since then, Lissette has served as the Admissions Coordinator and will be shifting to the role of Alumni Success Coordinator. With one son in the penitentiary and one son at an Ivy League, she is passionate about mentorship and Christian education because she knows how much of an impact they can have on a child’s life.

Lissette Ortiz
Admissions Coordinator

Staunton Peck grew up in Winnetka, Illinois and attended New Trier High School, Hamilton College for undergrad and received his masters from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Staunton spent most of his professional career as a college and high school basketball coach. Prior to coming to Hope, Staunton was the head boys basketball coach at Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Staunton believes strongly that education is the key to a more fulfilling life.

Staunton Peck
Director of Development

Keith is a lifetime Chicagoan with a passion for mentoring youth to combat the temptations and accessibility of negative lifestyles in Chicago. After leaving his position as a sports coordinator for the Chicago Park District, Keith spent two decades in Chicago Public Schools as a Security Guard and Basketball Coach before taking on his role at CHA. He enjoys coaching basketball, softball, and volleyball for students of all ability levels.

Keith Sanders
Assistant Building Manager (Safety and Security)

Mr. Jackson Willis was born on the south side of Chicago but has spent most of his life in Nashville TN. When Mr. Jackson is not helping with all things related to student records, he helps with the CHA worship team as well as the CHA wrestling team.

Jackson Willis
Registrar

Oliver Willis was born and raised in the Chicago land area, and had the privilege of taking part time classes at Chicago Hope Academy throughout high school. He competed in the wrestling program run by his father, Dan Willis, and now both father and son coach together. Oliver has traveled the U.S. extensively working for a non-profit ministry teaching junior-high and high school students to think and engage the culture with a biblical worldview.

Oliver Willis
Facilities Manager Assistant

Board of Directors

Brian Sir is a member of the Audit Committee of Guggenheim Partners. A former Managing Partner of the Firm, he retired from Guggenheim Partners in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary, roles he held since the inception of the Firm in 2000. Brian served as a member of numerous of the Firm’s internal governance and operating committees and was a senior advisor to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and co-executive sponsor of WIIN, the Firm’s Women’s Innovation and Inclusion Network. Brian, his wife Nadine, and their family, are material and financial supporters of the school and mission.

Brian Sir
Board Chair, Finance and Investment Committees

DeRondal Bevly is the founder and managing director of RubyRose Strategies, LLC, a strategic communications boutique firm that specializes in creating platforms for managing, marketing and distributing brand content. He has nearly two decades of combined professional and philanthropic experience and is deeply passionate about developing and leveraging relationships within Chicago’s non-profit and philanthropic community. He is a Chicagoland native, earned his bachelor’s of business administration in economics at Western Michigan University and currently resides in Forest Park, Illinois.

DeRondal Bevly
Executive and Marketing Committees

Josh is an attorney at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., concentrating his practice on the needs of middle-market businesses, their owners, and entrepreneurs. Josh earned his bachelor’s from Huntington University and a law degree from Loyola University Chicago. Before his work as an attorney, he taught English and Speech, Logic and Debate, as well as coaching boys’ soccer for three years at Chicago Hope Academy. Josh has continued his dedication to adequate and equitable K-12 education after law school.

Joshua Cauhorn
Executive Committee and Corporate Secretary

Mike is a financial advisor in the wealth management division at Merrill Lynch. With over 25 years in Finance, Mike serves on Chicago Hope’s Board and numerous committees. Involved with the school since its founding, Mike coached Hope’s Varsity basketball and Varsity baseball teams and helped underwrite the Chapel reconstruction. He and his wife Kristie attend Willow Creek Church and he is the proud father of Jackson, Kate and Clayton. He played baseball at Valparaiso and is an avid golfer and mentor to many.

Michael Edwards
Executive and Finance Committees, and Investment Committee Chair

Kristin Jackson is an entrepreneur with a passion for presenting news and information in a free and fair way, allowing Americans see and think for themselves on the critical stories that impact their lives. Kristin launched Freespoke.com in 2022, where she is President. She is also the CEO of Paycheckology, a personal finance news organization delivering economic stories from a local paycheck perspective with a humorous twist, helping hardworking Americans understand how the news impacts their bottom line.

Kristin Jackson
Marketing Committee

David Lewis is the founder and CEO of Circumspect Capital, a private investment firm focused on acquiring and building lower middle-market companies. David’s professional experience includes significant experience in operations, accounting, and private equity investing. David leads career development efforts in partnership with Chicago Booth Alumni Club for Hope’s student body. David and his wife, Dr. Dakisha Lewis, live in Oak Park with 3 sons – Joshua, Jacob, and Noah. 

David Lewis
Finance Committee Chair

Tom Luick is a Managing Director with Protiviti. Tom is a member of Protiviti’s global Technology Consulting leadership team, helping set the solution’s strategy and manage its operations.He is also the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion for Protiviti’s Chicago office and a leader in the firm’s advocacy for education in the community. Tom and his wife Rachel have two children, Hailey and Michael, both attending St. Ignatius College Prep. The Luick family lives in the Lakeview neighborhood and are active members of St. Josaphat parish, enjoy city life in Chicago, traveling, and sports.

Tom Luick
Committee Member

Bart Marchant is a Director of Client Relations with ARGA Investment Management. Before joining ARGA in 2023, Bart was Chief Development Officer for Chicago Hope Academy, where he had also taught Math and served as Career Advancement Director. Bart is active in his local church in Connecticut and proud husband to his wife Alyssa, a Health and Life Sciences consultant at Accenture. He is an Advisory Board member of Untrafficked, and holds a Bachelors in International Business and Management from Dickinson College. When not working, you can find Bart at a prayer night, biking with his wife, on the golf course or on the basketball court!

Bart Marchant
Marketing Committee

Traci Melcher was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is a
graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University. Commissioned in the United States Navy in 1985, Traci served in a variety of sea and shore assignments over her 23 year Navy Career most notably as Commanding Officer of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six. Following retirement from Naval Service in 2007, Traci embarked on a career of education and community activism. Traci and her husband Chuck reside in Oak Park and enjoy traveling and spending time with their four grown children.

Traci Melcher
Committee Member

Antonia Mills Wesselink is the owner of Antonia L Mills, Attorney at Law, PC. Antonia obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from DePaul University and her Juris Doctorate from Chicago Kent College of Law. While her early career was spent in the not-for-profit sector, Antonia started her real estate law practice in 2016. Antonia currently holds many volunteer leadership positions including 2022 President of the Women’s Council of Realtors Chicago, 2022 Illinois Realtors Public Policy Work Group Chair and Treasurer of the Chicago Association of Realtors Foundation and is the co-founder of a tech start-up company called AIRESync.

Antonia Mills Wesselink
Executive Committee

Chris Porter is an Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield. Since joining C&W in 1987, Chris has been involved in the successful completion of more than 900 transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $2.5 billion and is a consistent top producer. He represents sellers, purchasers, landlords, or tenants, in the sale or lease of industrial facilities, land or build-to-suits in the Chicago marketplace. Passionate about social change in Chicago, Chris joined the Chicago Hope board in 2013.

Chris Porter
Committee Member

Jim Sharman is Chief Operating Officer at GoHealth. Jim was most recently Chief Operating Officer of Coyote Logistics, LLC.. Prior to this, Sharman was Managing Partner at Truecast Capital. He was also President and CEO of World Kitchen, LLC and CEO of Rubicon Technology, Inc. In addition to serving on the Board at Hope, Sharman serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Spartan Motors, Inc., and he is also an active supporter of Chicago Hope Academy. Sharman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a Master in Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Jim Sharman
Committee Member

Gregg is President of Admiral Advisory Group in Naperville, IL. He has 30+ years of tax and risk management experience and has served for 12 years in the Hope community. He is a graduate of the Booth school of business and is on the Finance and Executive Committees.

Gregg Vann
Investment and Finance Committees

Alex is a Vice President at Loop Capital Management. Prior to his time at Loop, Alex traded Fixed Income for Lehman Brothers and then JP Morgan. He brings over 25 years of Investment experience to the Board. He and wife Ellen have three kids: Charlies, John and Margarent. They live in Dallas, Texas and are active in their church community. Alex received his BA and played golf at Southern Methodist University.

Alex Moore
Committee Member

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

Facility Addresses

Chicago Hope Academy

Volleyball | Wrestling

2189 W Bowler St
Chicago, IL 60612

Livingston Field

Soccer | Softball

2139 W Lexington St
Chicago, IL 60612

Altgeld Park

Football | Soccer | Baseball

2650 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60612

Hope Track/Rugby Field

Track & Field | Rugby

721 S Washtenaw Ave
Chicago, IL 60612

Hope Student Athletics Center

Basketball | Wrestling

2641 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60612

Contact Us

2189 W Bowler Street Chicago, IL 60612

Main Number: 312.491.1600

Email: info@chicagohopeacademy.org

Spirit Gear

Visit our merchandise page for customizable Eagle apparel. Click on the image below!