Who We Are
Colleen Hogan Kelly, MA - Executive Director
As the Executive Director of Women’s Health Foundation, Colleen Hogan Kelly brings her energy and leadership experience to improving the pelvic health and wellness of women and girls. Her tenure at WHF began in November 2010 as the organization’s first fundraising professional. Colleen leads WHF’s efforts to champion women’s pelvic health by driving cutting-edge research initiatives; serving as a national resource on pelvic wellness issues; developing and offering education and exercise programs; and fostering conversation and creating communities for women.
Prior to WHF Colleen was the Director of Development at the Joffrey Ballet. In this position, she worked with top-level executives in Chicago towards creatively developing communication and new partnerships including strategic planning, identifying communication objectives, developing activation plans, and executing events and sponsorships.
A native of Chicago, Colleen received her undergraduate degree in studio art from Fordham University and an MA in arts administration from the Art Institute of Chicago. She enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Jeni Hebert-Beirne, Ph.D, MPH - Director of Research
Jeni has an academic, practice and research background in public health with an emphasis on maternal and child health. Her interests include improving health and access to care for low income women and their families. She is deeply committed to Community-based Participatory Research and qualitative research methods. Her public health and methodological interests stem from her experience wearing multiple hats (community health planner, project/center director, policy analyst) at the City of Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Currently, Jennifer serves as Director of Research at Women’s Health Foundation. In this position, she is responsible for building Women’s Health Foundation’s research and programmatic capacities. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences.
Jeni lives in Chicago with her husband, three amazing daughters and one giant, lovable dog.
Anna Albrecht, MPH - Director of Wellness Initiatives
Anna comes to Women's Health Foundation with a strong background in health and wellness. Previous to her work at WHF, Anna was the President/Owner of Body Positive, Inc, a company specializing in rehabilitative fitness where her clients benefited from her unique skill set of Muscle Activation Techniques, Stott Pilates, and the Total Control Program.
Anna became acquainted with Women’s Health Foundation as a participant in our 2006 research study. She experienced such a dramatic improvement in her symptoms that she immediately signed up for the Instructor Training Class. Anna embraces her role as a Pelvic Floor Evangelist with enthusiasm and, as the Director of Wellness Programs, leading the organization's educational programs: Total Control, Total Control Platinum, and Pelvic Health Community Initiatives.
Anna received her MPH from the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Public Health. When not working with WHF, Anna can be found with her children, Jack and Caroline, or satisfying her passion for music in her soul home, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Molly Kirk Parlier - Director of Communication
In her 7th year at a 8 year old organization, Molly is a woman who has worn many hats during her tenure. As Director of Communication, Molly primarily focuses on health curriculum development, program marketing, website development, event planning, and public relations. Additionally, Molly is "head blogger" for Women's Health Foundation's community blog found at http://womenshealthfoundation.org/blog as well as a content expert blogger for EmpowHER Health Media. In September of 2008, Molly accompanied a team of physicians to the remote mountainous region of Nepal to assist in a medical mission for women suffering from uterine prolapse.
Molly graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education with teaching endorsements in rhetoric and English. Currently, Molly is attending Northeastern Illinois University pursuing her MA in Counseling.
In addition to her work at WHF, you can also find her on stage at numerous Chicago area venues performing with several bands including, Todd Kessler and the New Folk and Underwater People.
Molly lives in Oak Park with her husband and their ridiculously adorable 8lb. dog, Gizzy.
Kari Skloot - Manager of Development
Kari hails from a small town Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree in Transportation & Logistics. After spending 10+ years in logistics, Kari found her passion for mission-driven work while volunteering for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. She then left the corporate world and became the first Executive Director for the Illinois Chapter of RESOLVE. Following RESOLVE, Kari led the Income Development team for American Cancer Society in Lake County. Now, with more than 10 years’ experience in healthcare-focused non-profit, Kari is excited to be leading development for Women’s Health Foundation.
When she’s not fundraising, Kari loves spending time with her husband of 23 years and acting as a “team-mom and crazy-lady-screaming-in-the-stands” for her 11 year old son’s sports teams which include wrestling, soccer, football, cross country, and track.
Erica Warner - Program Communication Coordinator
Erica came to Women’s Health Foundation first as a volunteer and has worked her way up to Program Communication Coordinator, a new position focusing on internal communication in regards to WHF's wellness programs. She also takes on the role of office manager, maintaining organization amongst our ever-growing Foundation. Erica graduated with a Bachelor's in Organizational Communication from Central Connecticut State University bringing experience in communication strategy, marketing, design and business management. Before moving to Chicago, she spent 2 years as a Project Manager for a communication consulting firm.
Erica moved to Chicago from Connecticut on a whim, searching for a long-awaited change. In her spare time she likes playing with her dog, cooking and traveling.
Jeni Donatelli Ihm - Total Control Master Trainer, Adolescent Health Educator
Jeni has worked in the health and fitness industry for the past 14 years. She earned her degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago while working as a personal trainer as Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago. After graduation, Jeni continued personal training as an independent contractor. She is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certified health and fitness instructor. In 2000, Jeni relocated to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a sports trainer at The Washington Institute of Sports Medicine under Dr. Parker. Her duties included training professional and semi-professional athletes as well as supervising the adult fitness center.
Jeni’s passion for health and fitness took her to move in a new direction in 2002 when she began teaching high school health education, dance, and yoga. She was introduced to Missy Lavender and the Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) after moving back to Chicago in 2005. Jeni then became a certified Total Control™ Instructor and taught in the 2006 Total Control™ research study. Currently, she is working in program development, pushing to get Total Control™ into new US markets as well as undertaking course work to become a Total Control™ Master Trainer and member of the American Council on Exercise faculty. She enjoys educating women about pelvic health and is proud to be a member of the WHF team.
An avid ballet, modern, and jazz dancer, Jeni studies at the Lou Conte Dance Studio. Jeni lives in Chicago with her husband, Dr. Joseph Ihm.
Naomi Martell - Community Health Educator
Naomi Martell has a long history working with civil rights issues such as discrimination in employment, housing, and education. She moved from California to Chicago five years ago after working with the Arthritis Foundation as a Community Outreach Coordinator where she provided programs and services to the Hispanic Community in the San Diego County. Naomi has a B.A.in Psychology and an M.A. in Criminology from the Interamerican University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She recently joined the staff of Women’s Health Foundation as a program Associate, where she translates information material into Spanish to help reach the Latino community in Illinois and disseminate information about improving pelvic health and wellness of women and girls.
Naomi lives in Chicago with her husband, daughter and their dog, Amy.
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