The HEAR Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Teresa Devereux – President

Board member since 2021
Resides in Lemont, IL. Graduate of the University of Phoenix. Currently Managing Director of Administration for William Blair’s Wealth Management. Previously worked at Barclays and in branch operations management, regional management, and corporate administration at Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney.
Email: teresa@hearfoundation.org

James Ziemba – Vice President

Founder of The HEAR Foundation.
Resides in Glenview, IL. Graduate of Michigan-State University with a degree in Packaging Engineering.
Made a career for himself in the investment business, specializing in commodities, and went on to found Ziemba Capital LLC. In 2006, helped found The HEAR Foundation to pursue commitment to efficiently invest in smaller charitable projects that make a measurable difference in individuals’ lives. Believes that the best way to change Chicago, and the world, for the better is through education.
Email: jim@hearfoundation.org

George Silca – Secretary/Treasurer

Board member since 2015.
Resides in Glenview, IL. Graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from Loyola University. Began career at IBM, Chicago. Joined The First National Bank of Chicago, continuing through mergers with NBD, Bank One and Chase. Involved with treasury management, energy lending and product management. Retired as Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. Frequent guest instructor for the Mortgage Banking Association.
Email: george@hearfoundation.org

DIRECTORS

Greg Cadichon

Board member since 2018.
Resides in Buffalo Grove, IL. Graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. Founder and Director of Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation in Northbrook, IL and Rebound Athletics (operating primarily in Asia). National Athletic Trainers Association approved provider of continuing education to sports medicine professionals. Patented two athletic braces.
Email: greg@hearfoundation.org

Dr. Santiago Candocia

Board member since 2024.
Resides in Glenview, IL. Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Northwestern University. Subsequent graduate of University of Illinois College of Medicine. Completed residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School. Served as Chief Resident in Medicine at Evanston Hospital and as a Clinical Instructor in Medicine at both Northwestern University Medical School and The University of Chicago. Currently Doctor of Internal Medicine at Dedication Health.
Email: santiago@hearfoundation.org

Pablo Esparza

Involved with HEAR since 2024.
Resides in Chicago, IL. Graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a BA in International Business & Management and a
double minor in Spanish and Economics. Vice President of Esparza Landscapes & Supply. Owner and President of Imperial Rentals.
Email: pablo@hearfoundation.org

Stephen Hall

Involved with HEAR since its inception.
Resides in Evanston, IL. Graduate of Butler University with a BA in Journalism. Student athlete (football) for four years. Also holds FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 licenses and Retirement Income Certified Professional designation (RICP) from the American College. Regional Vice President at Athene. Previously Regional Vice President at Genworth Financial. Started career in financial services at Deutsche Bank, Chicago.
Email: steve@hearfoundation.org

Mary Kate Hatfield – Scholarship Chair

Board member since 2020.
Resides in Wilmette, IL. Graduate of University of Dayton with a BA in Marketing and Communications. Former VP, Account Director at Foote, Cone & Belding and Director’s Agent at H.S.I. Productions. Founder and Owner of MKH Representation.
Email: mk@hearfoundation.org

Dana Kirkegaard

Board member since 2024.
Resides in Brooklyn, New York. Graduate of New York University with a BA in History. Works in fundraising for the United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency and teaches yoga.
Email: dana@hearfoundation.org

Rula Marziani

Board member since 2021.
Resides in Glenview, IL. Graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Economics and a JD from the University of Illinois Chicago Law School. Vice President, Associate General Counsel of IDEX Corporation. Previously Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Anixter International.
Email: rula@hearfoundation.org

Rana Strellis

Board member since 2023.
Resides in Glenview, IL. Graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Economics and a Master’s degree from Cornell University. Previously Senior Vice President, Communications, Culture and Corporate Social Responsibility at Alexion Pharmaceuticals and at Baxalta. Currently Chief Corporate Marketing and Communications Officer at GE Healthcare.
Email: rana@hearfoundation.org

STAFF

Vera Pollina

HEAR Executive Director
vera@hearfoundation.org

Laury Wolf

HEAR Program Manager

laury@hearfoundation.org

For general Information about our scholarship program, please email:
info@hearfoundation.org

The HEAR Scholarship Foundation’s vision is become a leading college support program that empowers low-income students to achieve a college education and a career path of their choice while engaging and making an impact in their