Executive Director: Eileen R. Mackevich
Credit: Henry Ballone |
Eileen R. Mackevich, co-founder and president of the Chicago Humanities Festival from 1989 to 2005, became the executive director of the ALBC in October 2006.
Recognized by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2004 as one of the 100 most powerful women in Chicago, Mackevich built the Chicago Humanities Festival from a one-day event into a three-week series of events that drew more than 50,000 people of all ages and capitalized on partnerships among more than 40 Chicago institutions.
Prior to her tenure with the Chicago Humanities Festival, Mackevich was a broadcast journalist and talk show host for 18 years at WBEZ, the Chicago affiliate of National Public Radio, and was deputy director of the Illinois Humanities Council. She has been awarded honorary doctorates by Dominican University and Lincoln College and is invested as a Member of the British Empire.
Mackevich earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, holds a master’s degree in British history from Northeastern Illinois University, and has completed additional graduate course work in British history at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Deputy Director: Jennifer Rosenfeld
Jennifer Rosenfeld joined the ALBC staff in May 2005. She has a background in museums and public history. Previously, Jennifer was the Education Director of The Long Island Museum where she created educational materials and programs for school, youth, and family audiences. As the former Education Director for the Old York Historical Society, she developed K-12 school programs, co-directed the Elizabeth Perkins Fellowship Program in Museum Practice, and managed the building interpretation for seven historic sites. She has also consulted on museum education issues and served as a grant reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Jennifer holds a B.A. in History from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY-Oneonta.
Communications Director: David Early
David Early joined the ALBC in December 2005. A native of Illinois, he earned a bachelor’s degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame, a certificate in Peace Studies from Notre Dame’s International Institute for Peace Studies, and a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Prior to the ALBC, David served for 10 years as a spokesman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, providing communications counsel during a period when tremendous media attention was focused on the Catholic Church in the United States and worldwide. He served as a press secretary to two members of the U.S. House of Representatives and was director of government relations for the Council for American Private Education before his tenure at the USCCB.
Executive Manager: V. Suresh
Suresh recently immigrated to the United States from India and joined the ALBC in January 2007. Prior to joining the ALBC, Suresh worked with the U.S. State Department (American Embassy) in New Delhi for 17 years in their Management Division. During the last seven years of his tenure with the Embassy, he served as Travel Manager whereby he provided VIP visit and program support logistics to high-level U.S. government visitors to India. Suresh holds a B.A. in Commerce and Business Studies from the University of Delhi.
Program Associate: Courtney Barefoot
Courtney Barefoot joined the ALBC in June 2007. A native of Washington, DC, she grew up with a keen interest in American history and politics. Courtney earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the Pennsylvania State University with focuses in both great American and British literature. She also spent time abroad in the United Kingdom studying medieval literary arts and creative writing. Prior to her graduation from Penn State, Courtney spent two summers working in the Museum of American History.
Program Associate: Hasan Aloul
Hasan joined the ALBC staff in September 2007. Before joining the Commission, he worked as a real estate marketing coordinator in his hometown of Charlottesville, VA. After learning about the ALBC, his passion for history and public affairs resurfaced.
A graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, Hasan earned his bachelor's degree in Communications with concentrations in Public Relations, Political & Persuasive Communication and Business. Hasan hopes to continue working for socially and politically conscious causes.
