Power Hope Award Winners 2025
Elsa Andrianifahanana
Elsa Andrianifahanana
Elsa Andrianifahanana is a law firm partner specializing in labor and employment, who also maintains an active pro bono caseload. She has dedicated hundreds of hours to successfully litigating challenging cases for domestic violence survivors, securing the justice they deserved.
Dr. Brandon Baird
Dr. Brandon Baird
Dr. Brandon Baird is an ear, nose, and throat surgeon specializing in voice and swallowing disorders. As a trained singer, he uniquely understands the importance of expert laryngeal care, enabling him to treat professional voice artists.
Alisa Bhachu
Alisa Bhachu
Alisa Bhachu inspires hope through her commitment to human rights and her transformative leadership in refugee advocacy. As the Executive Director of the Chicago Refugee Coalition, she has spearheaded initiatives that provide dignity-centered relief to refugees in the Chicagoland area, including distributing over 390,000 meals and over $2.5 million in donated items. She is also co-founder of Refugee Can Be.
Erin Coleman- Branchaud
Erin Coleman- Branchaud
Pastor Erin Coleman-Branchaud serves St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square, an affirming and justice-oriented faith community that is a powerful advocate for Care for Friend's South Loop Community Table. She currently serves on the board of The People's Lobby, organizing for people and planet.
Dr. Jessica Chavez
Dr. Jessica Chavez
As the Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee Vice President of Education and Chief Learning and Community Partnership Officer at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Dr. Jessica Chavez inspires hope by creating inclusive, community-rooted education in Chicagoland. As Vice President of Education, she removes barriers to STE(A)M access.
Kate Gignac
Kate Gignac
Kate Gignac is a true changemaker, tirelessly serving her Edgewater community. As a passionate, thoughtful, and dynamic leader, she forms genuine relationships with every neighbor she meets. Often playfully called the "mayor of Edgewater," Kate's unwavering commitment to service is deeply inspiring. She's a creative problem-solver and resilient service provider, admired for her dedication. Kate's bright spirit and impactful work make her a cherished presence in her community.
Dr. Angelica Perez-Gutierrez
Dr. Angelica Perez-Gutierrez
As a Spanish-speaking transplant surgeon, Dr. Perez-Gutierrez is dedicated to helping Hispanic patients and their families who seek the highest-quality transplant care, and she is part of the newly established Hispanic Transplant Program. Dr. Perez-Gutierrez has been instrumental in the development of the biorepository, which has the goal of fostering transplant research and collaborations.
Juan Pablo Herrera
Juan Pablo Herrera
Pastor Juan Pablo Herrera is the beloved leader of Urban Village Church Wicker Park, and has dedicated over 30 years to community-based organizing in Chicago. He currently serves on the board of Palenque LSNA and is often invited to speak on behalf of the progressive faith movement. He is one of Care for Friend's vital advocates, mobilizing volunteers for South Loop Community Table.
Mikki Kendall
Mikki Kendall
Mikki Kendall, author of Hood Feminism, is a fearless and compassionate voice who consistently speaks truth to power. She envisions a better world, which drives her impactful work. Mikki Kendall's dedication and unique perspective make the world a better place, demonstrating the transformative effect of her vision and compassion.
Jacquelyn Lord
Jacquelyn Lord
Chef Jacquelyn, founder of The Dinner Belle, combines classical culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu with a passion for creating simple, joyful, and stress-free meals. She shares her expertise with diverse communities, using food as a bridge for connection and holding to the belief that “everyone deserves great food.” The Dinner Belle is a proud Black, queer, and woman-owned business.
Dr. Kevin P. Malone
Dr. Kevin P. Malone
Dr. Kevin P. Malone, a dedicated podiatrist, began volunteering with the CFF foot clinic in 2014, finding a perfect fit for his expertise. He helped expand the clinic to serve more people, even navigating 2020's challenges by transitioning to outdoor and new locations. Dr. Malone hopes to expand services further once the new building is complete.
Dominic Marchiafava
Dominic Marchiafava
Dominic is a dedicated physician assistant and consistent leader for Care for Friends' screening clinic - often the only preventative medical care that this population will receive. His caring attitude, friendly demeanor, and professional advice are highly valued by guests. Dominic's commitment to volunteering significantly contributes to the clinic's success, making a positive impact on those he serves.
Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy is the face, heart, and bloodline of CUMALI (Chicago Urban Ministry and Life Intervention), an organization providing critical supplies like food, blankets, and clothing to Chicago's unhoused population. Leading a dedicated team, Mike delivers these resources with immense compassion and empathy.
JC Navarrete
JC Navarrete
JC Navarrete is an inspiring, Emmy-winning, Chicago journalist whose compassionate, bilingual reporting connects with diverse communities, ensuring vital information reaches everyone. Beyond breaking news, he consistently highlights stories of resilience and community efforts, reminding Chicagoans of their collective strength.
Jeremy Nichols
Jeremy Nichols
Jeremy Nichols is a tireless advocate for Chicago's unhoused population and currently serves as a Project Manager within Homeless Service Division of Chicago's DFSS. He currently oversees Homeless Street Outreach coordination efforts across the city of Chicago and has served many roles within our Community's Continuum of Care. He championed a crucial space-sharing partnership between Care for Friend's South Loop Community Table and Second Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Board's Facilities Committee.
Maria Ranahan
Maria Ranahan
Maria Ranahan embodies the critical solution to animal overpopulation through her dedication to fostering. Recognizing that hundreds of thousands of healthy companion animals are euthanized annually due to lack of shelter space, Maria and her family have opened their home to over thirty rescue dogs from Chicago.
Sheila Rashid
Sheila Rashid
Sheila Rashid is the founder of Sheila Rashid Brand, a Chicago-based sustainable and unisex fashion label that empowers individuals through hand-crafted, tailor-made garments. Sheila Rashid Brand has been seen on public figures such as Chance The Rapper, Zendaya, Lena Waithe and Bella Hadid. They bring community together by hosting pop-up’s in spaces that are curated for an experience.
Priya Shah
Priya Shah
Priya Shah, a visionary leader, founded and leads The Simple Good, a Chicago nonprofit empowering youth through art and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Her mission helps young people find and share the "simple good" in their lives, building resilience and purpose. By connecting diverse youth, her organization fosters global understanding.
Zoie Sheets
Zoie Sheets
Dr. Zoie Sheets is a resident physician at the University of Chicago. Their work focuses on the intersection of disability and medicine, promoting access and inclusion for both disabled physicians and patients. Zoie co-founded Care for Friend's South Loop Community Table, building it from the ground up into the vital community and resource it is today.
Davin Youngs
Davin Youngs
Davin Youngs is the founder of Chicago Circle Singing, an inspiring community-based gathering that unites people of all ages and abilities through improvisational singing. His events foster a welcoming environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to create beautiful, uplifting music. Davin's work facilitates a much-needed sense of joy and connection, enriching the community by making the beauty of shared music accessible to everyone.