News and Notes - March 2024

Dear Maria,

Greenlight Family Services is celebrating Women's History Month! I am proud to be the CEO of this incredible woman-led organization. Women make up 100% of our executive leadership, 62% of our board of directors, and 94% of our staff.

We appreciate all of the women who have contributed to Greenlight's successful 20-year history. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering support have helped us make a real difference in the lives of Illinois youth, families, and student survivors. 

This month, we also want to celebrate our Greenlight board of directors and highlight this year's first cohort of new members. You will find biographies of these incredible, generous individuals below. 

Lastly, please take a moment to buy your tickets to Love + Light on Thursday, April 25 and support sexual assault survivors and Greenlight Counseling services.

Sincerely,

Maria Nanos, LCSW, PhD

CEO

Greenlight Welcomes New

Board Members

Valerie Letko

Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley

Attorney

Valerie focuses on cases involving sexual and interpersonal violence and abuse, most often where children were harmed by serial predators. She represents victims of sexual abuse throughout the country in cases against religious institutions, scouting organizations, and schools. 

Valerie graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina in 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science. In 2021, she graduated magna cum laude with her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Darcy Leslie

Hardware Strength & Conditioning

Head Coach/Owner

Darcy Leslie is the owner of Hardware Strength and Conditioning. As a member of the Chicago Force women's tackle football team, Darcy is a decorated national champion. As a member of the 2022 US Women's National Football Team, she won the gold medal against Great Britain.

As a proud parent of two and a former client of Greenlight, Darcy personally recognizes the importance of legal adoption aid and the positive impact that Greenlight’s adoption and guardianship services make for families.

Dr. Faris Murad, MD, FASGE

Advocate Medical Group

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Murad is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and specialist in Interventional Endoscopy and has been providing personalized, quality care to patients for over 15 years. He served as Director of Endoscopic Ultrasound while on Faculty at Washington University and co-founded the Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) Program.

An expert in his field, he has been published over 50 times and has won numerous awards for his work. He is on national committees and continues to be involved in education and research projects.  

Javier Rodriguez, Jr.

Romanucci & Blandin Law

Attorney

Javier primarily represents those who have been affected by police misconduct and the use of excessive force, wrongful death, and other serious personal injuries, including sexual assault and sexualized hazing. 

Javier earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated with his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. He interned with the American Bar Association’s Commission for Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities and the Illinois Office of the State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor.

SUPPORT STUDENT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL HARM

Buy Your Tickets Today

Donate With Confidence

Greenlight Family Services has earned a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. We believe that transparency keeps us accountable. Click on our seal to learn more!