Alex Goodfellow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alex Goodfellow brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to the role. She previously served as Executive Director of Share Our Spare, a fast-growing Chicago nonprofit providing essentials to children for a strong start to life.
She has also held leadership roles at The Little Bit Foundation in St. Louis, where she directed programming and strategic partnerships and at One Million Degrees, supporting scholars in post-secondary programs.
Alex’s career spans youth advocacy and domestic violence services, always rooted in her mission-driven commitment to creating equitable opportunities for young people.
Alex loves to be outdoors at any opportunity and is grateful to be a position affording that experience to youth in Chicago.
Alex holds a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University’s George Warren Brown School and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Louis University.
Jesy Cordle
director of programs - PhD(c), LRT, CTRS, CCAT
Jesy Cordle has worked extensively in the fields of adventure-based programming, adventure therapy, and recreational therapy for the last fifteen years. She has a bachelor's degree in Outdoor Leadership and Education, a master's degree in PRTM concentrating in Recreational Therapy, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Clemson University. In addition to her work, research, and teaching in the field, Jesy is on the Leadership Council for the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group as the Professional Development Coordinator and sits on the Association for Experiential Education's Certification Council.
Keith Miller
director of Development
Keith Miller brings experience in sales, nonprofit fundraising, and outdoor education to his role at Chicago Voyagers. He has previously worked in grant writing with Chicago Blues Revival and served in outdoor education roles at YMCA camps throughout Michigan. Keith holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Bradley University. Outside of work, you can find him playing the banjo, reading whatever book he has lying around, or exploring Chicago’s North Center neighborhood.
Andy Tousignant
Assistant Program Director
Andy Tousignant is a near lifelong resident of Chicago who brings more than 30 years of experience in youth development, operations management, and leadership across the nonprofit, higher education, and corporate sectors. In roles at the University of Chicago, City Year Chicago, and Braven, Andy specialized in building mission-critical partnerships between youth-serving community organizations and civic-minded Chicagoans to expand opportunities for young people. He holds a Master’s in Spirituality and Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago, a Bachelor’s in Policy & Management from Dickinson College, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Ryan McHale
Program Leader
Growing up in the Chain O’Lakes, Ryan was exposed early on to the growth that the outdoors can provide. Inspired by his work as an English teacher and Eco-Tourism strategist with the Peace Corps in rural Romania, Ryan has a strong desire to expand opportunities and perspectives in overlooked communities. He’s excited to return to Chicago Voyagers (Program Leader 2014-15), and can often be found biking and watching birds in Humboldt Park on his off days.
Nic Bellegarde
PROGRAM LEADER
Nic Bellegarde, MS, has worked in community mental health for the past eight years. He has worked with a variety of populations across the lifespan in psychiatric, college counseling, substance abuse recovery, private practice, juvenile detention, and community mental health clinics. A fluent Spanish speaker, Nic is passionate about the transformative effects of mindfulness and experiential education. He is a current doctoral candidate in counselor education and supervision at the University of Arkansas.
Liz Jansen
GRANTS MANAGER
Liz has more than 12 years of nonprofit experience, bringing a deep understanding of nonprofits and how to leverage resources to support mission-driven work. Prior to joining Chicago Voyagers, Liz served as Vice President of Development at Healthcare Alternative Systems, a nonprofit that provides behavioral health services.
Robin Berryman
Business office manager
Robin Berryman has worked with various small businesses and organizations streamlining and systematizing administrative and operational tasks for over a decade. She studied African American Studies at Northwestern University and has also spent time as a flight attendant, gardener, and dancer. She loves bringing tools and perspectives from seemingly disparate areas together to serve Chicago Voyagers' greater mission.
Jim Tibensky
Volunteer Program Leader
Jim has been leading kayak and canoe trips as a volunteer with youth organizations since 1998. Some of his earliest memories are of tent camping with his family and he still loves to be outdoors as much as possible. His philosophy of leading trips is simply to ‘share the joy.’.
Emmanuel Cole
Equipment
Emmanuel works with our equipment, helping keep things clean and in order for our youth programming. He previously taught math and science in Africa and is in school for HVAC at Harper College. Emmanuel has a passion for helping those in need and has worked with people with disabilities. He finds meaning in supporting Chicago Voyagers youth through his behind-the-scenes work.
