Our Team
Anthony Bolden
Executive Director
Anthony Bolden is a dynamic nonprofit leader with a proven track record in program expansion, fundraising, and organizational strategy. As the Executive Director of Chicago Debates, he has spearheaded initiatives…
Sonny Patel
Director of Programs
Dr. Sonny Patel joined Chicago Debates as Director of Programs in 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in debate education. A longtime member of the Chicago-area debate community, he…
Laren Hince
Director of External Affairs
Lauren Hince is the Director of External Affairs at Chicago Debates, leading corporate and community engagement initiatives to support the organization’s mission. Since joining as the Volunteer Manager in 2020,…
SantaLucia Hernandez
Assistant Director of Programs
SantaLucia Hernandez is an Assistant Director of Programs at Chicago Debates. A Chicago native and alum of Thomas Kelly High School, she competed nationally in debate before attending the University…
Chris Gentry
Program Manager
Chris Gentry is a Program Manager at Chicago Debates, where he works with coaches and staff to ensure Chicago students have access to high-quality debate experiences. He oversees tournaments and…
Jocelyn Aguirre
Volunteer Manager
Jocelyn Aguirre is the Volunteer Manager for Chicago Debates and a proud alum of the program. Her experience as a policy debater from 2014 to 2018 shaped her passion for…
Stephanie Sorich
Development & Communications Manager
Stephanie Sorich is the Development and Communications Manager at Chicago Debates, where she crafts content to engage funders and the debate community. A former high school speech competitor and longtime…
Governing Board
Eli Kay-Oliphant, Chair
Sparacino PLLC
Anthony Bolden, Executive Director
Chicago Debates
Amit Bindra
The Prinz Law Firm, P.C.
Kate Bjorklund
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Zachary Brown
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Josette Bush
Allstate
Elisa Davis
The Community Solution Education System
Nick Greiner
McDermott, Will & Emery
Annie Kastanek
Jenner & Block LLP
Sharone Mitchell, Jr.
Cook County Public Defender
Stan Pierson
Relativity
Matt Reedy
JP Morgan Chase & Co
Nina Ruvinsky
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Cindy Stuyvesant
Wintrust Financial
Tania White
Canary HR Consulting
Erika Whitehead
Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School
Jessica Yeats
NVIDIA
Associate Board
Johnathan Duffie, Chair
Amazon Web Services
Matthew Fisher, Fundraising Chair
Sparacino PLLC
Brianna White, Membership & Recruitment Chair
Allstate
Chime Asonye
Nigerian Mental Health
Dan Charles
DuPont
Madison DeSpirt
BearingPoint
Arielle Copeland
Google
Nikita Coutinho
Deloitte Tax LLP
Norma Ferrel
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Michael David Harris
Latham & Watkins LLP
Anna Koelsch
Ingeborg Initiatives
Evan McCarty
Relativity
Marcus McCrary
Kempster, Corcoran, Quiceno & Lenz-Calvo, Ltd.
Richard Min
Lazard
Chisom Ojukwu
McKinsey & Company
Carlos Penikis
Leerink Partners
Jake Schindler
McDermott Will & Emery
Sarah Simon
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum
Shatisha Woods
Health Care Service Corporation
