Walter Boyd, Director, Ex-offender Opportunity Program. Mr. Boyd served as Program Manager, North Lawndale Employment Network from 2001 to February 2004. He received his Bachelor of General Studies with honors in the social sciences from Roosevelt University in 1992. Mr. Boyd has experience in the private sector as an entrepreneur and retail specialist. wlboyd@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 225

Laura Dean Friedrich, Director, Education and Advocacy. worked at Child Serv in several management positions, e.g., church consultation and development, early childhood services, advocacy and public policy, prior to coming to PCG. She previously served as director and supervisor of child care programs at Casa Central. Laura Dean is the co-author of "Weaving a Future for All Children: An Advocacy Guide", scheduled for publication in mid-2008. She received her M.Ed. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1979 and a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College in 1969. She is a member of the Holy Covenant United Methodist Church. ldfriedrich@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 223

Michelle Holder, Director of Communications and Membership. Michelle attended conservatory at The Theatre School of DePaul University as an acting major from 1997 until 2001. After completing school, she moved to Los Angeles and then New York, to pursue a career in theatre and film. Since returning to Chicago in late 2003, she has appeared in various area theatrical productions, working with such companies as the Griffin Theatre, Appletree Theatre, and Irish Repertory Theatre. While most of her previous experience in non-profit organizations lies in the areas of fine arts and education, she has a strong commitment to her faith, grounded in UCC practice, as well as a firm belief in social action and responsibility for the common good. chelleholder@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 228

Courtney O’Brien, Congregational Outreach Coordinator. Courtney recently graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Social Policy and a minor in religion. She was placed at PCG through a Public Interest Program Fellowship from Northwestern. She is currently working on creating a Protestant Women’s Advocacy Network for Chicago and the surrounding area. Courtney is a Young Life Leader on the North Shore and currently attends First Presbyterian Church in Evanston. courtney@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 221

The Rev. Alexander Sharp, Executive Director. Prior to earning the Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 1996, Al Sharp served as the Vice President of Business and Finance at the University of Chicago from 1982 to 1994. Al was Commissioner of Welfare for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1975 to 78. Before this, he headed the Office of University and Professional Schools in the New Jersey Department of Higher Education and holds a Master of Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University. Al served as President of the Board of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless from 1994 to 1999. He is married, lives in Hyde Park, and has two daughters. He is a member of Hyde Park Union Church. sharp@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 226

The Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Sharp, Dean of the Academy. Ordained in the American Baptist Churches USA in 1975, Douglas has served for more than thirty years as a theological educator and administrator. His areas of teaching integrate the disciplines of theology and the social sciences. He is the author of No Partiality: The Idolatry of Race and the New Humanity (InterVarsity Press, 2002). Douglas received his M.Div. from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in 1975, and his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in 1988. Community Baptist Church in Warrenville is his home church. Douglas.Sharp@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 234

Meghan Strell, Information Officer. Meghan is a freelance web designer and a theater maker. She is Artistic Director of Local Infinities Visual Theater, a performer with Mucca Pazza and serves on the programming committee at Links Hall. She earned a BFA in Acting from The Theater School at DePaul University. mstrell@thecommongood.org 312-223-9544 x 231

Jay Wilcoxen, Chief Financial Officer (half-time). Having been Director of Central Services at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago from 1982-95 and Associate Professor of Bible at the University of Chicago Divinity School from 1961-82, Jay brings a diverse and broad background to his work at PCG. He has also served as an accountant/bookkeeper for a number of Chicago area not-for-profit organizations. With his wife Pat, he is a member of University Church of Hyde Park. wilcoxen@thecommongood.org. 312-223-9544, x 222