year-round staff
Kristen Mighty, PhD, MPH
Executive Director
Dr. Mighty, a Broadview native, joined the Quinn Center team in 2018 with an extensive background in public health, budget growth and management, data-driven assessment, and professional collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders. She earned two Bachelors of Science degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds both a Doctorate in life sciences and a Master’s degree in public health from Northwestern University. Over the past two years, she has established vital financial and grant management infrastructure and has led the effort to strengthen and expand youth programming, adult education programming, and senior outreach and support programming. As a servant leader, she is passionate to serve the community she grew up in and utilize her lived experiences to provide the needed personal and professional development of community members. She strives to empower community members in order to inspire them to be courageous enough to pursue their dreams. Contact Kristen at director@quinncenter.org.
Executive Director
Dr. Mighty, a Broadview native, joined the Quinn Center team in 2018 with an extensive background in public health, budget growth and management, data-driven assessment, and professional collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders. She earned two Bachelors of Science degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds both a Doctorate in life sciences and a Master’s degree in public health from Northwestern University. Over the past two years, she has established vital financial and grant management infrastructure and has led the effort to strengthen and expand youth programming, adult education programming, and senior outreach and support programming. As a servant leader, she is passionate to serve the community she grew up in and utilize her lived experiences to provide the needed personal and professional development of community members. She strives to empower community members in order to inspire them to be courageous enough to pursue their dreams. Contact Kristen at director@quinncenter.org.
LaToya Towns
Program Director
LaToya officially joined the Quinn Center team in April 2022, but has been a part of the Quinn family for 6 years, leading our adult and senior Zumba program. She holds a Bachelors in Secondary Education with English and Spanish as her majors. She is also a graduate of Living Word School of Ministry and Joseph Business School. She has led many community programs both here, in the United States, and in Mexico while studying abroad - teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), coordinating volunteers at a school and an orphanage in Mexico, and working as a summer camp director in the city of Chicago. LaToya's motto is “Use me to empower and impact the world with my love, my smile, and encouraging words” as she strongly believes that this will shine light on any community."
Contact LaToya at qcprogramdir@quinncenter.org
Program Director
LaToya officially joined the Quinn Center team in April 2022, but has been a part of the Quinn family for 6 years, leading our adult and senior Zumba program. She holds a Bachelors in Secondary Education with English and Spanish as her majors. She is also a graduate of Living Word School of Ministry and Joseph Business School. She has led many community programs both here, in the United States, and in Mexico while studying abroad - teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), coordinating volunteers at a school and an orphanage in Mexico, and working as a summer camp director in the city of Chicago. LaToya's motto is “Use me to empower and impact the world with my love, my smile, and encouraging words” as she strongly believes that this will shine light on any community."
Contact LaToya at qcprogramdir@quinncenter.org
Martha Ramirez
Youth Program Coordinator
Martha began her work at the Quinn Center in September 2019, though she has been serving youth in the Proviso community since 2010. Her background includes working with youth in education and social services in the Chicago area. She has worked with youth in group homes, hospitals, community centers, and schools with a focus on families and children in diverse communities. She attended B.U. Wheelock where she majored in Social Work. She is excited to serve the families and children in our community and be part of creating lasting and meaningful change in here at Quinn. Contact Martha at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Youth Program Coordinator
Martha began her work at the Quinn Center in September 2019, though she has been serving youth in the Proviso community since 2010. Her background includes working with youth in education and social services in the Chicago area. She has worked with youth in group homes, hospitals, community centers, and schools with a focus on families and children in diverse communities. She attended B.U. Wheelock where she majored in Social Work. She is excited to serve the families and children in our community and be part of creating lasting and meaningful change in here at Quinn. Contact Martha at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Jesenya Amaya
Youth Program Coordinator
Jesenya began her work at the Quinn Center as a volunteer in Fall 2018 and formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is a member of our sister parish Sacred Heart and lives and works in the Proviso community. Jesenya formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree at Dominican University and majoring in Education, as well as pursuing her certification in Family Engagement through HarvardX. She plans to continue serving her community and working towards The Quinn Centers’ mission of achieving social justice throughout the diverse Proviso community. Contact Jesenya at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Youth Program Coordinator
Jesenya began her work at the Quinn Center as a volunteer in Fall 2018 and formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is a member of our sister parish Sacred Heart and lives and works in the Proviso community. Jesenya formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree at Dominican University and majoring in Education, as well as pursuing her certification in Family Engagement through HarvardX. She plans to continue serving her community and working towards The Quinn Centers’ mission of achieving social justice throughout the diverse Proviso community. Contact Jesenya at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Elizabeth Young
Development Director
Liz began her work at the Quinn Center in November 2019. Prior to joining the Quinn Center, Liz coordinated the local implementation of a national anti-poverty, social justice program on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which included managing marketing/PR, communications, grant evaluation and administration, fundraising, and program development projects. She also has an extensive background in community service and social justice education after spending six years working in Campus Ministry at a local Jesuit high school. Liz holds B.A.s in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Social Justice & Community Development from Loyola University Chicago.
Contact Liz at qcdevelopment@quinncenter.org.
Development Director
Liz began her work at the Quinn Center in November 2019. Prior to joining the Quinn Center, Liz coordinated the local implementation of a national anti-poverty, social justice program on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which included managing marketing/PR, communications, grant evaluation and administration, fundraising, and program development projects. She also has an extensive background in community service and social justice education after spending six years working in Campus Ministry at a local Jesuit high school. Liz holds B.A.s in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Social Justice & Community Development from Loyola University Chicago.
Contact Liz at qcdevelopment@quinncenter.org.
SUMMER PROGRAM STAFF
Sean Banasiak
Summer Program Director
Sean began his work with the Quinn Center as the Summer Program Director in 2021. He has also worked as a high school science teacher at Nazareth Academy since 2009. In his time at Nazareth Academy, he has served as science department chairperson, coach, club moderator, and retreat leader. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry Education from Trinity Christian College and an M.A. in Science Education from Saint Xavier University.
Summer Program Director
Sean began his work with the Quinn Center as the Summer Program Director in 2021. He has also worked as a high school science teacher at Nazareth Academy since 2009. In his time at Nazareth Academy, he has served as science department chairperson, coach, club moderator, and retreat leader. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry Education from Trinity Christian College and an M.A. in Science Education from Saint Xavier University.
rotating staff, interns & FELLOWS
Megan Hawley
Program Assistant
Megan joined the Quinn Center team in the summer of 2022 as an Amate House fellow to help coordinate community programming such as the youth afterschool program, senior and caregiver opportunities, weekly dinner distribution, along with Quinn’s larger events. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame, with concentrations in Anthropology, and Science, Technology, and Values. Megan’s varied experience with healthcare, youth, and seniors is valuable in aiding the Quinn Center’s mission. She is especially passionate about promoting health and wellness through nutrition, fitness, and mental health initiatives, in addition to fostering a community of care and support.
Contact Megan at mhawley@quinncenter.org
Program Assistant
Megan joined the Quinn Center team in the summer of 2022 as an Amate House fellow to help coordinate community programming such as the youth afterschool program, senior and caregiver opportunities, weekly dinner distribution, along with Quinn’s larger events. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame, with concentrations in Anthropology, and Science, Technology, and Values. Megan’s varied experience with healthcare, youth, and seniors is valuable in aiding the Quinn Center’s mission. She is especially passionate about promoting health and wellness through nutrition, fitness, and mental health initiatives, in addition to fostering a community of care and support.
Contact Megan at mhawley@quinncenter.org
Nisha Bharat
Senior and Caregiver Coordinator
Nisha Bharat is a second year medical student at Stritch School of Medicine and is currently leading the Senior and Caregiver program at the Quinn Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Growing up in India, community service has always complemented her education and she has volunteered with several non-profit organizations in underserved communities. She enjoys working with the seniors around Maywood to promote wellness and help create as well as be part of the diverse community.
Senior and Caregiver Coordinator
Nisha Bharat is a second year medical student at Stritch School of Medicine and is currently leading the Senior and Caregiver program at the Quinn Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Growing up in India, community service has always complemented her education and she has volunteered with several non-profit organizations in underserved communities. She enjoys working with the seniors around Maywood to promote wellness and help create as well as be part of the diverse community.
COVID OUTREACH TEAM
Karan Mody
COVID Vaccine Ambassador
Karan graduated from Loyola University with a Biology major and a Bioethics minor. Upon graduating, Karan completed a one-year post-baccalaureate program at Dominican University to improve his application for medical school. Since completing the program, Karan is currently in the process of applying medical school. At the Quinn Center, he is COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador. In his role, he performs outreach to provide education and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, he participates in vaccine distribution planning and coordination through interactions with IDPH and nurses who administer vaccinations.
COVID Vaccine Ambassador
Karan graduated from Loyola University with a Biology major and a Bioethics minor. Upon graduating, Karan completed a one-year post-baccalaureate program at Dominican University to improve his application for medical school. Since completing the program, Karan is currently in the process of applying medical school. At the Quinn Center, he is COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador. In his role, he performs outreach to provide education and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, he participates in vaccine distribution planning and coordination through interactions with IDPH and nurses who administer vaccinations.
