Jodie collaborates with schools and community-based organizations in order to raise awareness and provoke dialogue about teenage suicide among teens, staff and parents. Her primary task is assisting area-wide middle and high schools to implement the SOS Signs of Suicide program, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that teaches students how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, and seek out needed help from a trusted adult. Jodie provides intensive hands-on support at all phases of implementation to designated staff members involved with SOS, including planning, training, teaching, data collection and follow-up. She further facilitates school-wide training sessions in order to guide faculty on how to identify and support at-risk youth. Jodie is no stranger to preventative efforts, or to working with schools, families and community organizations. She began her career as a school social worker, where she implemented a range of programs designed to foster resiliency in students and strengthen their support systems.

Prior to joining Elyssa’s Mission, Jodie spent six years as an assistant principal at both the elementary and middle school level. She has a solid awareness of the issues and pressures affecting today’s youth, and, like Elyssa’s Mission, recognizes the need to work collaboratively in order to build a safer community: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller. Jodie has a B.A. degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters in Social Work from the University of WI-Madison. She completed her school administration degree at Loyola University.

Valerie assists middle and high schools to establish and/or refine protocols in their community before implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide Program. She supports schools with all aspects of the SOS program, including planning for programming and supporting schools on SOS days. Valerie helps schools navigate through the difficult, and oftentimes complicated process of losing a student to suicide. Valerie guides schools through the healing process as they transition back to a healthy and safe environment.

Valerie brings years of experience to the mission. She has provided therapy to children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as co-developed family-based treatment programs in her previous role with Riley Children’s Hospital. She provided community outreach and consultation services to mental health practitioners across the state of Indiana. Valerie holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Elmhurst College. She possesses an unwavering commitment to promoting the positive well-being of groups and individuals facing adversity, in addition to a perspective that celebrates diversity.

Palma started volunteering for Elyssa’s Mission while she was in college. Palma was passionate about mental health awareness prior to volunteering but she became interested in the non-profit world and wanted to dedicate her time to supporting the Elyssa’s Mission team and their efforts to bring suicide prevention programs to Illinois schools. As the Director of Hope Squad Programming, Palma leads the efforts in bringing Hope Squad to Chicagoland schools. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer based program that aims to reduce self-destructive behavior and youth suicide by training, building and creating change in schools and communities.

Palma attended Lincoln Park High School and has a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa.

Kerry started volunteering at Elyssa’s Mission in 2019 and now works as a Program Assistant for the SOS program. Having been impacted in her personal life by the loss of a loved one to suicide, Kerry is passionate about educating young students about the signs of depression and suicide.

Kerry has a Learning and Behavioral Specialist Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Curriculum and Instruction Master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University.

Carol Felsenthal joined the board of Elyssa’s Mission shortly after its inception in 2006 . She brings her extensive background in human resources and recruiting to the board. In the early years of the Mission, Carol partnered with Ken Meyers and taught suicide prevention workshops in many of the schools where today we teach our SOS Signs of Suicide Program. She currently sits on the Nominating Committee. Carol earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and her MBA from Loyola University.

Ellen Hirsch has served Elyssa’s Mission in many capacities over her more than 7 years on the board, including being on the nominating committee, building the strategy for the cycle fundraising event, evaluating our school-based support services and providing planning for the annual fundraising event.

She has spent her career in Human Resources most recently at Hillrom in the capacity of Vice President, Talent Acquisition and DEI. In that role, she had global responsibility for the company’s comprehensive talent and diversity activities and strategy. Prior to that, Ellen spent 3 years at Hospira, leading the global talent acquisition function including the launch and scaling of an applicant tracking technology in EMEA, LATAM and APAC. She was published in HRO Today as a pioneer to address talent needs for high volume recruiting with recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), a cost-effective talent acquisition model.

Earlier in her career she led talent functions at Walgreens and W. W. Grainger, Inc. including 15 years as an executive Human Resource Business Partner.

Ellen received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She enjoys competing in long distance running and triathlons.

Alan Meyers is a co-founder of Elyssa’s Mission. He has been serving on the board since 2006. He is the Financial Officer, overseeing the finances and audit reports for the Mission. Alan further serves on the Nominating Committee and takes an active role in fundraising.

In the past, he worked for Prudential Securities as VP of Sales. Currently, Alan is an independent financial trader.

Jason has spent over 20 years in various finance and accounting leadership roles. He volunteers on Edward Elmhurst Health’s Community Advisory Council and previously served as a member of its Finance Committee and Co-Chair of its Audit and Compliance Committee. He is currently the Vice President of Finance Americas and Global Business Units for Baxter International. Prior to Baxter, he held several finance and accounting roles for Hillrom including VP finance, treasurer, corporate controller and chief accounting officer. Jason joined Hillrom in 2008 from KPMG, where he spent nearly a decade, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Liz Riggs is a dedicated college counselor and passionate advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. With over 20 years of experience guiding students and families through the college search and application process, Liz brings a unique perspective on the challenges teenagers face today. A committed volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) since 2012, Liz has supported suicide loss survivors through peer-to-peer outreach, spearheaded impactful fundraising efforts, and advocated for public policy changes that promote mental health awareness. Liz’s work is profoundly shaped by her personal experiences with suicide loss, fueling her commitment to providing hope and healing to others. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Elyssa’s Mission, bringing her experience and dedication to support its critical work.

Sarah Shaheen is a licensed school counselor and professional counselor. She worked as a high school counselor at Loyola Academy for 11 years before finishing her PhD in Counseling in 2022. As a school counselor, Sarah implemented and facilitated the SOS program with her students. She is passionate about suicide prevention and education and has served on the board of Elyssa’s Mission for over seven years. During her time on the board, Sarah has assisted with Elyssa’s Mission’s programming and scholarship. Sarah recently moved to Evanston where she lives with her husband and two young children.

SOS Signs of Suicide, provider of mental health screening and programs, a Service of Riverside Community Care:

Meghan’s Bio

Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work:

Jonathan’s Bio