Founder & President

Kristi is our visionary and chief changemaker. Her generous spirit and unwavering dedication to the organizations and causes she champions inspire everyone around her. She was one of the founding members and served on the board of the Food for Greater Elgin food pantry. She also served on the board of governors of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Illinois, chairing the fundraising committee for several years, and also initiated significant funding to expand programming and impact. Kristi also serves on the board of Fostering Success, furthering her commitment to creating opportunities for children and families. Alongside her husband Jeff, she has been actively building the Foundation for more than a decade and remains focused on leaving a legacy of generosity and community service through her work.

Founder & Treasurer

Jeff is our fearless leader, whose passion for connecting people and ideas has made him one of the foremost business leaders of his time. While growing a fifth-generation family business, Jeff sought to drive change beyond the corporate world—focusing his efforts on those most in need: the children in his community. He was one of the founding members of the I Can Foundation, created to empower and uplift youth, and he has been spearheading much of the funding and program development ever since. Over the years, alongside his wife Kristi, Jeff has built deep relationships with organizations dedicated to helping children thrive, and he continues to lead with purpose, generosity, and vision.

Board Member & Program Director

Heather is the heartbeat of our organization. Her educational background in public health and professional background of business development, sales, and fundraising, makes her perfectly suited for managing all of the Foundation’s initiatives. Heather works closely with our partner organizations to maximize the impact our programs have on children, families, and communities. She’s personally moved by giving opportunities that have the potential to create a ripple effect of generosity and positive change.

Board Member & Marketing Lead

Rooted in a background of wellness, personal development, and female empowerment, McKenzie is passionate about helping young women believe in themselves and making health and healing more accessible to youth. Her work centers on creating safe, supportive spaces for growth—especially for those historically underserved. With a deep belief in the power of inner transformation, she is committed to fostering confidence, resilience, and self-worth in the next generation. Having traveled to 40+ countries across six continents, McKenzie brings a global perspective to the Foundation’s mission, helping to expand its reach and impact across diverse communities. Through her leadership, the Wisdom Family Foundation continues to champion equity, healing, and lasting change for children and families worldwide.

Board Member

Hannah believes in empowering children with the emotional and economic support they need to pursue their dreams. Particularly passionate about empowering young women, she is dedicated to encouraging and inspiring girls to step into their own power, build confidence, and become the leaders that our next generation needs. Hannah currently lives and works in Chicago, Illinois, where she leads the Foundation's work in local communities. She also serves on the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois.

Board Member

Lily, a dedicated Registered Nurse, is passionate about holistic healthcare and empowering individuals to achieve optimal wellness. Committed to enhancing access to high-quality, patient-centered care, she focuses on supporting those facing illness, disease, and disability. Believing that everyone deserves a healthy and meaningful life, Lily provides essential tools and resources to uplift historically underserved communities. Through her leadership, she plays a vital role in advancing the Wisdom Family Foundation’s mission, championing health equity and transformative healing for all families.

Foundation Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Marla leverages over two decades of experience bringing an unparalleled combination of operational excellence and deep wellness expertise to the foundation's mission of elevating underprivileged and under-resourced individuals and communities through sustainable health and wellness education. Marla understands that true empowerment comes from comprehensive wellness knowledge that addresses the balance of body, mind and spirit. Her extensive hands-on experience guiding individuals toward vibrant, fulfilling lives through holistic practices directly informs her strategic approach to program development and implementation, ensuring the foundation's initiatives are both accessible and transformative for vulnerable populations who have been historically denied access to comprehensive wellness resources. Her unwavering belief that everyone possesses the power within to achieve their highest potential drives her operational leadership and strongly supports the foundation’s mission to create culturally responsive programs that empower under-resourced communities with practical wellness tools for long-term success and wellbeing.