About PEAK
PEAK’s History
PEAK was founded in 1998 as a 501c3 nonprofit by two Notre Dame graduates, Eileen Cavanaugh Bender and Maria Madigan Kelly, and Father Tom Walsh at Holy Trinity. The program’s first cohort of ten students began school in the fall of 1998. The program has since served hundreds of students.
Board of Directors:
Emeritus Board:
- Christopher V. Parente (Board Chairperson)
- Cheronis & Parente LLC
- Mary J. Cahillane (Treasurer)
- The Spencer Foundation (Retired)
- Cathy Fan
- BP Products North America
- John D. Mitchell
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher
- Eric Pruitt
- Quarles & Bradley, LLP
- Joseph T. Pultz
- Geneva Trading
- Samantha Schafer
- Chicago Behavioral Hospital
- Steve Sibon
- PC Connection (Retired)
- Christopher Stetler
- Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP
- Jerry Silva
- Chicago Police Department
- Craig S. Dean
- AEG Partners
- Kelly Mullaney Dean
- BNY Mellon (Retired)
- Kevin Harrington
- CIBC
- Lauren Lantero
- Wells Fargo
- Kirsten Manire
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Nick Miller
- McDonald Hopkins
- Laura Moran
- Andersen
- Fr. Tom Walsh
- Holy Trinity School
PEAK’s Staff
Dave Espinoza, Executive Director
Dave’s career began with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), where he honed his skills in international human resources at a time of significant growth for the organization. This experience instilled in him a deep commitment to positive social impact as well as the need for robust systems to support an organization’s capacity to deliver.
He then transitioned to the private sector, working with leading firms like Mercer Consulting and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Most recently, at Cushman & Wakefield, Dave led a dynamic team focused on innovation and operational excellence. Dave will be leveraging his expertise and skills to empower our scholars and mentors, while broadening the impact of the PEAK organization.
Kelly Leavy, Program Coordinator
Kelly Leavy serves as the Program Coordinator for PEAK Chicago, bringing experience in marketing collateral and communication, as well as event coordination and execution from her roles with Fidelity National Financial in Chicago and New York.
Passionate about volunteering, Kelly is thrilled to transition from the corporate sphere to the nonprofit sector. With a solid background in marketing and sales, she is eager to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to PEAK.
Kelly hails from Northern Michigan and earned her degree in Marketing from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. Now based in Chicago, she enjoys spending her free time by the water and at the lake.
