Staff - Associated Colleges of Illinois

Associated Colleges of Illinois is supported by a dedicated professional staff, including specialists in nonprofit management and finance, institutional advancement, marketing/communications, special events, and other program areas.

April Arnold, CFRE
Executive Director
(312) 263-2391, ext. 1

aarnold@acifund.org

Janine Stroemer Cheeks
Communications Coordinator

communications@acifund.org

Ashley Kratschmer
Media Communications, Paul Gregory Media

ashley@paulgregorymedia.com

Daisy Gomez
Director, Administration and Scholarships
(312) 263-2391 ext. 0

dgomez@acifund.org

Lauren Holhut, MBA
Director, Foundation Relations and Grants
(312) 263-2391 ext. 2

lholhut@acifund.org

Teresa Black
CFO/Finance Associate, YTPC

Andrea Funke
Accountant/Bookkeeper, YTPC

finance@acifund.org

Leslie Scarpace, MSEd
Program Consultant

SLL

lscarpace@acifund.org

April Arnold, CFRE

April Arnold is a values-driven leader with a strong focus on fundraising and marketing, building brand awareness and structuring solid partnerships. With more than 30 years of experience on an institutional level in the areas of development, fundraising, marketing, and external relations, she pushes for inclusion, integration, and collaboration with the goal to impact students better at the schools we serve.

She has experience as a consultant and in corporate and foundation relations working collaboratively across units to build stronger engagement opportunities for major gift prospects and donors. Working in higher education fundraising for more than a decade at Northern Illinois University and Elmhurst University, she also has significant administrative and operations knowledge.

Previous leadership positions were held at the DuPage Children’s Museum, Elmhurst Art Museum, Arts Alliance Illinois, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has consulted for various nonprofit organizations in the areas of management, marketing, and fundraising.

April serves on the Council of Independent Colleges State Council Advisory Committee and is an alumni board member of Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage. As a first-generation college student and graduate of Northern Illinois University, she is dedicated to fostering student success.

Daisy Gomez

Daisy Gomez joined Associated Colleges of Illinois as Director, Events and Scholarships, in September 2021. Her initial role was responsible for the planning and execution of events as well as managing the scholarship distribution process. In June 2023, Daisy was promoted to Director, Administration and Scholarships, to oversee operational efficiency across the organization and manage the scholarship process. Together with the executive director, she oversees the organization’s operations, including the distribution of scholarships and programmatic funding while interfacing with key personnel at ACI member schools to ensure accurate reporting and grant compliance.

Her professional background includes event management experience within higher education, working at Aurora University. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Aurora University. Daisy has a passion for assisting students to get one step closer to graduation with the help of scholarships and loves hearing from students about the impact that ACI has had on their lives.

Lauren Holhut, MBA

Lauren Holhut comes to Associated Colleges of Illinois as director of foundation relations and grants with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Her professional background encompasses several industries – higher education, the arts, social services and health care –where she has utilized strong skills in philanthropy, management and strategic planning.

Organizations where Lauren has served foster educational opportunities and improve the quality of life for individuals and families, including Illinois Institute of Technology, the Newberry and Access Community Health Network, the nation’s sixth-largest network of Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and an MBA from Roosevelt University, Chicago.

Leslie Scarpace, MSEd, IADP, CPTD

An experienced talent development professional, Leslie Scarpace has worked in higher education, K-12 and corporate settings. Leslie’s areas of expertise include organizational development, faculty and staff development, accessible learning design and delivery, online e-course development, and student and staff engagement.

Leslie holds a master’s degree in instructional technology, a certificate in Information Accessibility Design and Policy (IADP), and the Certified Professional in Talent Development credential through the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Previous employment includes Walgreens (contracted consultant), College of DuPage (consultant), Northern Illinois University, DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, McHenry County College and Western Kentucky University.

Committed to professional and community service, Leslie has served in leadership roles at local and national levels.

Leslie enjoys playing guitar, gardening, crocheting and time with family and friends.