YNPN CHICAGO EMERITUS BOARD
The YNPN Chicago Emeritus Board is an all-volunteer working and governing board consisting of past YNPN young nonprofit professionals board members.
MARISSA DE LA CERDA (SHE/HER)
Marketing Manager | Chicago Public Library Foundation
Marissa De La Cerda (she/her) is the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Marketing Manager. Born and raised in Chicago, she uses data-informed marketing strategies and storytelling to elevate the Library Foundation’s mission. Her work builds awareness of the Foundation’s impact while supporting the Development team in raising critical funds for the Chicago Public Library.
Before joining the Foundation, Marissa held marketing roles at KDM Engineering and DePaul University College of Law and wrote for outlets like the Chicago Reader as a freelance arts and culture journalist. Marissa holds a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Communication and Media from DePaul University. She serves on the Erie Neighborhood House Associate Board.
MARISSA HIGGS (SHE/HER)
Senior Marketing Strategist | Indigo Slate
Marissa Higgs (she/her) is currently a Senior Marketing Strategist at Indigo Slate, a global agency specializing in developing experiential marketing and digital transformation solutions for top companies worldwide. With a wealth of experience in B2B and B2C markets, Marissa's forte lies in crafting strategic narratives that uniquely connect brands with their audiences and she excels at creating storytelling moments that engage users while achieving brand objectives.
She is deeply involved in the Chicago nonprofit space, previously working in development/communications at nonprofits focused on ending homelessness. Marissa currently serves on the Emeritus Board for YNPN Chicago and previously held positions on the YNPN Chicago Executive Board as a Marketing Co-Chair and Development Co-Chair.
Marissa received a bachelor’s degree in English Writing and Italian from DePauw University. In her spare time, she is an avid reader with a love for Queer novels, poetry, and storytelling. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending far too much time watching television shows/movies.
SADAF AJANI (THEY/THEM)
Global Social Impact Consultant | Sustainable Impact Strategies
Sadaf Ajani (they/them) is a Global Social Impact Consultant, transforming the vision of people and organizations worldwide into measurable impact. They have over 20 years of experience creating more inclusive and equitable spaces and systems for marginalized peoples across Asia and Africa as well as in communities on the peripheries of power in the United States.
Sadaf is a nonbinary and neurodivergent immigrant with invisible disabilities that uses their creative problem solving and fluency in multiple languages to enhance projects in public health, education, community building, and conflict resolution.
LJILJANA MILOJEVIC (SHE/HER)
Senior Director of Development | Paramount Theater
Ljiljana Milojevic (she/her) has been in the nonprofit sector for 10 years in various roles, mainly within fundraising. Her areas of interest include history, museums, and arts. She holds a double M.A. in History and Public History with a concentration in Museum Studies, as well as a certificate of Non-profit Management from UW-Milwaukee and Eastern Illinois University.