http://www.projectexploration.org/

Project Exploration, 4511 S Evans Avenue, Chicago, IL (2026)

10/12/2026

Meet Deborah Williams-Thurmond, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Deborah knows what it takes to turn a strong idea into sustainable community impact.
As President and CEO of D W Provision Consulting Services, LLC, she helps nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations strengthen their operations, find resources, build partnerships, and position themselves for long-term success.
Her experience includes fundraising, grant writing, community development, strategic planning, marketing, nonprofit leadership, and working with government and community partners.
Deborah brings all of that experience to Project Exploration, along with a passion for young people, community partnerships, and creating more opportunities for girls to discover STEM.
As a member of our Board, she is particularly focused on helping PE strengthen fundraising and development, cultivate new supporters, expand community relationships, and secure resources that allow our programs to continue reaching young people.
Deborah has deep roots in Chicago’s West Side, and her leadership reflects a belief that sustainable change happens when communities, organizations, and resources come together around a shared purpose.
We are grateful to have her experience, connections, and commitment helping Project Exploration move forward.
Learn more about Deborah and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

10/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped open the next door for Chicago youth on .
Every first opens the next door, and your Donor-Advised Fund can keep them opening any day of the year.
To make an individual gift, donate here: https://projectexploration.org/donate

10/09/2026

Meet Bryan L. Hunt, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Bryan has built his career around one of the most important parts of any successful organization—its people.
As a senior human resources professional with Boeing, Bryan brings years of experience helping organizations align their people, leadership, culture, and strategy.
He brings that same perspective to Project Exploration.
As a member of our Board, Bryan contributes expertise in human resources, Board governance, strategic planning, organizational operations, diversity and inclusion, and business leadership. He is especially interested in helping PE strengthen its strategic direction, governance, and community partnerships.
Bryan’s experience reinforces something we believe deeply at Project Exploration: creating lasting opportunities for young people requires both strong programs and a strong organization behind them.
We are grateful to have Bryan helping Project Exploration strengthen the people, systems, and strategies that allow our mission to grow and thrive.
Learn more about Bryan and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

10/08/2026

Today on DAF (Donor-Advised Fund) Day, we're asking our community to help us.
Over the past year, two of Project Exploration’s longtime major corporate funders restructured their philanthropic giving and discontinued their support.
For more than 25 years, Project Exploration has helped young people on Chicago's South and West Sides connect with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
If you have a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), today is the day to put those charitable resources into action.
If you don't have a DAF, consider giving what you can at the link below.
Recommend a grant to Project Exploration.
EIN: 36-4305660
https://projectexploration.org/donate/

10/07/2026

💙 Meet Our Board: Leadership in Action
Meet Elaina Shannon, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Elaina has built her career around one central belief: young people deserve educational opportunities that recognize their individual needs, build on their strengths, and help them see new possibilities for their futures.
As Founder and Principal of Connections Academy East, Elaina leads student programming, staff, operations, partnerships, financial planning, and organizational growth. She brings particular expertise in special education, trauma-informed practices, technology, and educational advocacy.
She also volunteers as an educational advocate for families throughout the Chicagoland area and serves on the Board of All Families United, which supports families of individuals with autism.
Elaina brings that same commitment to Project Exploration. She is passionate about helping us expand access to meaningful STEM learning and career opportunities—particularly for young people who might not otherwise have access to those experiences.
Her goal is not simply to develop programs, but to help create lasting opportunities that give young people the tools, support, and confidence to pursue their goals.
We are excited to have Elaina’s educational leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to students represented on our Board.
Learn more about Elaina and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

10/05/2026

💙 Meet Our Board: Leadership in Action
Meet Sarah Houberg, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Sarah’s connection to Project Exploration is especially meaningful because she knows our organization from the inside.
Before joining our Board, Sarah served as Project Exploration’s Development Manager, helping build relationships and secure resources to support our young people and programs. Today, she serves as a Program Officer with the Gerald A. & Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation, where she helps connect philanthropic resources with organizations working to create meaningful community impact.
Sarah now brings both perspectives to our Board—the experience of working within a nonprofit and an understanding of how funders think about impact, capacity, relationships, and investment.
She continues to be a champion for Project Exploration, helping us think strategically about fundraising, donor relationships, partnerships, and how we communicate the impact of our work.
We are fortunate that Sarah’s Project Exploration journey continues as a member of our Board, helping us ensure that more young people have opportunities to explore STEM and imagine what is possible for their futures.
Learn more about Sarah and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

10/02/2026

💙 Meet Our Board: Leadership in Action
Meet Cristina “Tina” Barillas-McEntee, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Tina knows firsthand that there are many pathways to a successful career.
As a journeyworker plumber and leader with Chicago Women in Trades, she has dedicated her work to helping women gain access to training, employment, and careers in the skilled trades—fields where women have historically been underrepresented.
Her work is about more than getting people into jobs. It is about helping individuals build skills, careers, economic stability, and new possibilities for themselves and their families.
That makes Tina’s perspective especially valuable to Project Exploration.
She brings experience in workforce development, community leadership, advocacy, public policy, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and building partnerships that connect people with opportunity.
Tina is passionate about strengthening Project Exploration’s programs and workforce pathways so young people can see just how many possibilities are available to them—from science and technology to engineering, apprenticeships, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
We are proud to have Tina helping PE connect young people with the experiences, relationships, and pathways that can shape their futures.
Learn more about Tina and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

10/01/2026

Meet Katherine “Kathy” Acles, a member of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Kathy has spent her career helping people, organizations, and educational institutions grow.
With more than 25 years of experience leading technical professionals at Bell Laboratories, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies, Kathy knows the opportunities a career in technology can create. She later brought that experience into higher education, managing graduate business programs and teaching graduate-level courses in marketing and information technology.
Her passion for Project Exploration is also personal.
Kathy was born in Chicago, raised on the South Side, attended Chicago Public Schools, and graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago. Today, she is a passionate advocate for making sure young people have opportunities to discover STEM, develop their talents, and imagine futures they may not have previously thought possible.
As a member of our Board, Kathy brings expertise in STEM education, technology, strategic planning, and organizational leadership while helping Project Exploration strengthen the resources needed to sustain our mission.
We are grateful to have Kathy helping Project Exploration create opportunities for the next generation of STEM leaders.
Learn more about Kathy and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

09/30/2026

💙 Meet Our Board: Leadership in Action
Meet Claribel Rodriguez, Vice Chair of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Claribel’s connection to our mission starts with her own childhood story.
As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a surgeon because she knew surgeons saved lives. But without a mentor or a clear pathway that showed her how she could pursue that dream, she eventually gave it up.
That experience is one of the reasons Project Exploration’s mission means so much to her.
At PE, young people are introduced to STEM experiences, professionals, mentors, and opportunities that help them answer two important questions: “Can I do this?” and “How do I get there?”
Claribel has spent her career creating opportunities for young people and communities. Today, she serves as a Senior Project Manager with the Chicago Park District, where she leads complex projects within its Community Recreation Department. Her experience also includes leadership and educational roles with After School Matters, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and other community and public agencies.
As Vice Chair of our Board, Claribel brings tremendous experience in strategic leadership, youth development, community engagement, and organizational operations.
We are grateful for the many ways she has supported Project Exploration over the years—and excited to have her leadership helping us ensure that today’s young people have the pathways, mentors, and opportunities that every dream deserves.
Learn more about Claribel and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

09/28/2026

⚖️ Meet Our Board: Leadership in Action
Meet Asher Pedrick Horcher, Secretary of the Project Exploration Board of Directors!
Asher is an Associate Attorney with Shindler Anderson Goplerud & Weese and brings valuable experience in law, governance, policy, and organizational operations to Project Exploration.
As Board Secretary, Asher plays an important role in supporting strong Board governance and accountability. But her commitment to PE goes even further.
Asher wants to help ensure that Project Exploration continues to be here for the young people we serve. She is especially interested in helping us identify new donors, make connections with prospective supporters and corporate partners, and strengthen the resources needed to sustain our programs.
Her willingness to step in wherever needed represents exactly the kind of engaged Board leadership that will help Project Exploration continue growing its impact.
💙 We are grateful to have Asher helping lead Project Exploration forward.
Learn more about Asher and meet our full Board of Directors: https://projectexploration.org/board-of-directors/

Project Exploration

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