We are beyond thrilled to share that Nancy Phillips will be joining Inspiration Corporation as our new Chief Program Officer!

Partnering with City of Chicago’s Planning Department, Alderman’s office, Neighborspace, Christy Webber Landscapes, Greater Chicago Food Depository and City Colleges, Nancy led the successful launch of Chicago FarmWorks 2+ acre site to address hunger, healthy food access and economic opportunity on Chicago’s west side.  FarmWorks provides Transitional Jobs to low-income residents sustainably growing 30,000 servings of vegetables annually for local food pantries while they develop skills in landscaping, urban agriculture, food warehousing and distribution.

Nancy was the founding director of WomanCraft, a green social enterprise launched by Deborah’s Place that employed women transitioning from homelessness as artisans creating handmade wedding invitations and other items from recycled paper and reclaimed botanic elements from 1998-2011. WomanCraft won City of Chicago’s GreenWorks Products award, Illinois Recycling Association’s “Best Use of a Recycled Material,” and Mindful Metropolis reader’s choice for “Best Sustainable Community Initiative.”

Nancy has co-chaired Chicago Continuum of Care’s Employment Task Force for over 6 years, aligning Chicago’s homeless response system with the workforce development systems to better serve jobseekers experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Employment Task Force has won two national competitive grants for systems improvement. Nancy has also led field-building through capacity-building and technical assistance, community partnerships and national presentations on best practices.

Nancy holds a Master of Science from Spertus College in Human Services Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryville College in Tennessee.

“The mission of Inspiration Corporation aligns with my values and experience, supporting people impacted by homelessness and poverty in meeting their goals through innovative, solution-oriented programming that builds on the strengths of participants.  I am so excited to join the Inspiration Corporation team at this moment of opportunity.  The leadership, staff and Board are dedicated and talented and the organization is well-positioned to contribute to an equitable recovery in Chicago.”

 

Welcome, Nancy!