Dorn Simpson is a visionary leader, strategist, and passionate advocate for education, youth empowerment, and financial literacy. As the Founder and Business Development Manager of Sierra House LLC and its nonprofit affiliate, Sierra House II, Inc., she has dedicated over 20 years to creating transformative programs that advance equitable education and enrichment opportunities for youth, families, and communities.
Sierra Newell began her career in early childhood education in 2008 and has dedicated her work to supporting children on the autism spectrum. As a lead Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), she specializes in fostering skill development, family collaboration, and inclusive learning environments. She is
currently preparing to launch Inside My World, a therapy and play center designed to provide children on the spectrum—and their families.
With over a decade of experience in property management, mortgage banking, and marketing, she has successfully led teams, managed multimillion-dollar assets, and developed strategic partnerships to enhance property performance and community impact. Alexis is committed to equipping teens, young adults, and families with essential knowledge and skills to achieve long-term financial stability.
Aja Grant is an emerging leader with experience in administrative support, program coordination, and IT-based organizational systems. A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, she has facilitated youth engagement activities, supported program development, and held leadership roles including Co-President of the Rehabilitation Therapy Club.
Ann Avery is a Director and a Co-Founder of Worldview. Ann has been an advocate and activist for equal rights all her life. In addition, Ann’s background in various industries (film, legal and Human Resources) has provided her with the skills to communicate effectively with everyone she encounters. As Co- founder of Worldview, Ann carries this same commitment in serving to support women’s and children’s rights and education.
She lives by the Worldview motto, “We all Deserve a Chance.”
With over 10 years of experience in the financial industry and community engagement, Linnelle Clark-Lane serves as the Community Relations Manager for Credit Union 1. She leads initiatives that strengthen partnerships with community schools and nonprofit organizations, expanding outreach through financial literacy and service.
With over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology sector, Kenneth’s career spans multiple industries, including education, healthcare, and financial services. His professional expertise reflects a deep commitment to innovation, problem- solving, and empowering others through technology. Kenneth is a proud and active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., initiated in 1983. Kenneth is the author of “The Stock Market: An Introduction to the Stock Market – Words and Phrases Made Easy to Understand” and the creator of “Stock Wise”, an educational mobile app designed to make learning about the stock market interactive, accessible, and engaging.
Throughout Sam’s career at CU1, Sam has been a driving force for promoting financial literacy and strengthening Credit Union 1’s ties to our community through financial education opportunities, support of charitable initiatives, and volunteer
efforts of our team members. Sam’s continued commitment to the ideal of people helping people will be at the core of his role as VP of Community Relations. In this role, Sam’s vision is focused on expanding community outreach initiatives and fostering partnerships with collegiate athletic conferences and community partners in the areas surrounding CU1 branches.
Cierra is a passionate speaker, realtor, investor, and police officer dedicated to empowering youth. After losing her father to violence, she was raised by a strong mother who instilled hard work and resilience. A former Division 1 basketball player at Loyola University, Cierra now mentors young people through her real estate course, House Hoppin’, helping them build confidence and chart their own paths to success.
Corey Phillips is a dynamic 21-year-old entrepreneur and financial educator who is transforming how organizations approach financial literacy and youth empowerment. As the founder and CEO of Social Storm LLC, Corey has delivered impactful presentations reaching over 1,000 young people across Chicago’s underserved communities while building strategic partnerships with government agencies, corporations, and educational institutions.
Ron serves as the Co-founder of Bear Wright LLC, which operates as a vendor for Chicago Public Schools. He is also the author of the Responsible Money financial literacy curriculum and works as a junior high math teacher. Additionally, he is an athletic coach with expertise in track and field, baseball, and basketball. Beyond these roles, Ron is a motivational speaker, educational consultant, and financial literacy coach, passionately committed to inspiring others and creating a meaningful impact.
Hear from the families, students, and educators who have experienced the life-changing programs at Sierra House. Their stories reflect the heart of our mission to inspire, empower, and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
