Denis Pierce, President, was the founder of Pierce and Associates, one of the oldest and largest law firms handling mortgage related legal issues in the state of Illinois. In addition to his work with the Pierce Family Foundation, Denis’ charitable commitments include his service as a board member for All Chicago, as well as service on numerous committees engaged in helping nonprofits including La Casa Norte, The Cara Program, Mercy Housing and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. He is a graduate of Kenyon College and Loyola University School of Law. Denis is married to Martha, has three children and five grandchildren.
Martha Pierce, Secretary, served as Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Sanctuary Alliance for nearly 20 years, which was formed to support congregations that were providing sanctuary for refugees fleeing the violent civil conflicts in El Salvador and Guatemala and subsequently worked to promote peace and justice across Latin America. Since her retirement in 2008, Martha has served on the boards of Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (the successor organization to the Sanctuary Alliance), Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, and La Casa Norte. Martha and Denis spend their time between Evanston, Illinois and Glen Lake, Michigan.
David Krumlauf, Chief Technologist, has worked as a high school science teacher, an education officer at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory, and an Internet Service Provider business owner. He is a technology generalist who loves helping nonprofit organizations solve their technology challenges so they can better fulfill their missions. David lives in a greenbuilt home in rural northwest lower Michigan where he enjoys spending time with his wife, dog, cat, son, and two beautiful granddaughters.
Laura Jansen, Director of Programs and Operations, began her career as box office manager and children’s theatre producer at Moraine Valley Community College and continued working in the arts at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Urban Gateways, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Laura spent 20 years consulting with nonprofits and small foundations that work in the arts, education, youth development, homelessness/housing, and marginalized populations. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Ball State University and a master’s degree from University of Alabama. She lives in Chicago with her husband, stepson, two dogs, and a hermit crab.
Pamela Stillwell, Executive Assistant, has worked with Denis Pierce for over a decade at his law firm in Chicago. New to the Foundation’s programs, workshops and capacity building, and sector wide grantmaking, she primarily supports the Foundation’s missions and goals behind the scenes. She is a member of the Chicago Women in Philanthropy, has worked with All Chicago’s Ambassadors, and attends numerous webinars and zooms in the area of family giving and homelesness. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, she resides in Fort Lauderdale and Chicago and shares time with her son’s family, daughter and life long friends.
Marianne Philbin, Advisor, has more than 35 years of experience working with foundations and nonprofit organizations on issues related to grantmaking, evaluation and strategic planning. She is co-author with Marcia Festen of the book Level Best: How Grassroots Organizations Can Tackle Evaluation and Talk Results (Wiley Publishing, 2006) and also co-author of How Effective Nonprofits Work: A Guide for Donors, Board Members and Foundation Officers (Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, 2002). In addition to her work with foundation and nonprofit clients, she is an instructor and curriculum developer for Forefront (formerly Donors Forum), where she developed and annually leads the Institute for New Grantmakers. Previously, Marianne served as Development Director for the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which was part of Walter Annenberg’s legacy to improve public education; Executive Director of the Chicago Foundation for Women during its critical start-up years; and Executive Director of The Peace Museum. She has served on nonprofit boards ranging from Amnesty International USA to Chicago Women in Philanthropy, the Chicago Global Donors Network, and Project Exploration. She has also served for many years as a member of the Governance Committee for the Center for Victims of Torture, located in Minneapolis, MN.
