Niki joined The Village Chicago in 2015 as a social work intern and, as she’ll tell you, “just never left!” She earned her Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in healthcare from Loyola in 2017. Niki is inspired by connecting members to services, resources, and one another – drawing upon members’ experience and expertise just as they draw upon hers. She appreciates how the Village is adapting, building multigenerational relationships, and finding new ways to support mental and physical well being. In her spare time, Niki can be found reading too many books at once, cutting quilt squares, or cycling.

Brooke is a social service and public health professional who has obtained undergraduate degrees in psychology and speech pathology as well as a graduate degree in public health. She recently became a certified dementia practitioner (CDP) through the NCCDP. Brooke started her career in the intellectual disabilities field and began working with older adults within a senior living community, from there moving into legal guardianship and program management. Most recently, Brooke has been working with the Alzheimer’s Association as part of a lifestyle intervention research study aiming to protect brain health in older adults. She is looking forward to finding ways to apply her experience to help establish better brain health and to navigate cognitive changes.

Having returned to her home town to help her parents navigate their final years, Susan landed at the Village because its mission resonated with her recent lived experience — “I wish my parents would’ve had a place like the Village.” She received her undergraduate degree in Finance and MBA from Drake University and a Master’s degree in Religion and Ecology from Loyola/New Orleans. Susan has a rich and varied background in finance, working for financial institutions and non-profits, including religious organizations, youth services, and higher education.