Staff and Board
Our Practices…
As a board and in the field, we are guided by humility, mutual respect, attention to relationships, and a commitment to continual learning and reflection. We recognize that the best work comes from people working collaboratively, which requires being responsible and accountable to each other. We will respect and acknowledge the talents, time, and effort contributed by each of our working partners. Our willingness to take risks and encourage innovation will be grounded in careful deliberation, evaluation, and examination of our failures as well as our successes.
Staff
Jhatayn Travis
Executive Director
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Jay joined Needmor in the fall of 2022. Her commitment to racial justice and grassroots democracy has led her to play leadership roles in building local and national organizing alliances for education justice, youth employment, affordable housing, and political independence. Jay has also worked as a program officer at progressive foundations such as the Woods Fund of Chicago and the Funders Collaborative on Youth Organizing. Prior to leading Needmor, Jay was a Co-Director for the Midwest Academy, a national training institute supporting organizers leading work for racial, gender, economic, and social justice. Jay has a master's degree from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration.
Cathie Slabaugh
Operations Manager
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Cathie has been with Needmor since 2008. As a former clergyperson, she enjoys working for a foundation where she can live out her values by helping underserved, marginalized and minority persons find their voice.
Board
Kirk Noden, Board Chair
Principle, Community Building Strategies
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Kirk Noden is veteran community organizer who has successfully built community organizations in Chicago, Birmingham England, and Ohio. He now lives in the city of Kent, OH with his wife Rosi and two boys Roberto and Emiliano. Together they own The Battle Ground bar and the microbrew Drink Your Values Beer.
Kevin Ryan, Vice Chair
Program Officer, Ford Foundation
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Kevin is a program officer on the Cities and States team of the Ford Foundation. He leads the foundation’s grant making in Detroit, focusing on housing and community development, civic engagement, and youth opportunities. Prior to joining Ford in 2017, Kevin spent more than 14 years as program director at the New York Foundation.
Cris Doby
Program Officer, Erb Foundation
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Cris currently serves as a program officer with the Erb Foundation. Previously, Cris worked at the C.S. Mott Foundation and as a Community Builder Fellow with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Earlier in her career, her work with several Catholic dioceses included international relief and development.
Erickson (EB) Blakney, Board of Directors
Program Officer, Pinkerton Foundation
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EB joined the board after serving on our finance and grant review committees. His career background also includes being an award-winning writer, reporter, and interviewer for Bloomberg and CBS News. E.B.’s philanthropic interests range far and wide. He also serves on the board of the Clarksdale Animal Rescue Effort and Shelter in Clarksdale, MS, and The Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, KY. In his spare time, E.B. has also produced documentary films on the Mississippi Delta’s blues tradition and fair housing policies.
Deborah Harrington
President and CEO, Harrington Group
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Deborah Harrington is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in both public and nonprofit sectors. As the founder and CEO of the Harrington Group, she specializes in executive management, coaching, and organizational development. She co-founded the Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative in 2022, focusing on empowering Black communities. Her leadership roles have included presidencies at Woods Fund Chicago and the Eleanor Foundation, where she emphasized social justice and economic independence for women. Deborah is recognized for her contributions to racial equity and justice reform, notably in the philanthropic sector.
She serves on multiple boards, including the African American Center on Global Politics and Human Rights, and actively engages in policy development and advocacy. As a co-founder of CHANGE Illinois, she has been pivotal in campaign finance reform and anti-gerrymandering efforts. Deborah’s public sector career spans over 20 years in various Illinois departments, contributing to human services reform and fresh food accessibility initiatives.
Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Illinois and postgraduate studies in Ghana. Deborah's community service is extensive, involving roles from community organizing to advisory positions in cultural institutions in Chicago.
Gabe Gonzalez
Chief of Staff, Sierra Club
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Gabe is a long-time organizer who has provided consultation and support to a number of community-based groups around the country. In addition to 15 years spent fighting for immigration reform in the US, Gabe has also worked on issues such as mass incarceration, housing, and education. He is currently focused on climate change and how organizing in the 21st century must innovate in order to impact a changed world.
Daniel Stranahan
Family Member
Elaine (Laine) Stranahan
Family Member
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A psycholinguistic researcher by day, Laine has worked in nonprofit endangered language documentation and became involved with community organizing in 2013. She views her work with the Needmor Fund for Social Justice as an important opportunity to bring critical social justice issues to the world of philanthropy.
Dave Ward
Family Member
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David has been an admirer and supporter of Needmor for nearly thirty years since being introduced to the fund’s work through the involvement of his wife, Abby Stranahan. The site visits and meetings he participated in in the early 90’s had a profound and life-changing impact on his world view. As a proud Midwesterner (born and raised in Chicago) David is excited to play a role in Needmor’s continuing evolution.