New Moms Leadership

Melanie Garrett, LCSW, serves as Chief Impact Officer at New Moms, where she leads organizational efforts to advance family well-being and economic mobility, enabling young moms and their children to thrive. Throughout her career, Melanie has been deeply committed to supporting families through trauma-informed, community-centered approaches that foster resilience, stability, and opportunity.

Melanie also serves on the board of the Illinois Collaboration of Youth, contributing to statewide efforts to improve outcomes for young people and families. She credits her mother, “aunt by choice,” and maternal grandmother for shaping her understanding of the power of motherhood and community. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys raising her emerging young adult child, exploring new restaurants, baking sourdough bread, and tending to her vegetable garden.

Lizveth Mendez-Witt, MBA, is the Chief Financial Officer at New Moms, bringing 14 years of experience as a public servant across multiple Illinois and Cook County departments. Her career has spanned government and community relations, administration, and operational leadership across a wide range of public systems.

Lizveth currently serves on the board of the Chicago Finance Exchange and formerly served on several boards, including MANA de Chicago and Heartland Alliance Healthcare. She learned the importance of motherhood from her own mother and her godmother, and from being a godmother and a mom to boy/girl twins. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling, reading nonfiction, and exploring playgrounds and waterparks.

Bonnie Andorka is the Director of Individual Giving at New Moms, where she builds meaningful relationships that connect supporters to the organization’s mission. Her career began in education and early childhood intervention before she found her “sweet spot” in resource development and community connection.

Bonnie learned the importance of motherhood from her mother and grandmother and is inspired by her 2 daughters-in-law. Outside of work, she enjoys hosting gatherings, friends & family, gardening, reading, and creating fun memories with her grandchildren

Dana Emanuel, MAPP, is Vice President of Learning and Impact at New Moms. Her career has focused on community economic development, workforce development, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Since joining New Moms in 2010, she has held multiple roles across Bright Endeavors, Workforce Development, and Learning & Impact.

Dana serves as an Assistant Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program and on the MAPP Alumni Association Board of Directors. She learned about the abundance of motherhood from her grandmother, mother, and aunt. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and attending Brandi Carlile concerts.

Tonja Harris is the Director of Housing at New Moms, where she leads supportive housing programs for young mothers and families. Her work centers on equity, systems change, and the belief that housing is foundational to stability and renewal.

A first-generation college graduate and PhD candidate in Applied Social Justice at Dominican University, Tonja learned resilience and the meaning of motherhood from being raised by a teen mom. Outside of work, she writes, reflects, and remains deeply rooted on Chicago’s West Side.

Susanna Quevedo, M.Ed., serves as Workforce Development Director at New Moms. Her career has been dedicated to adult education, helping individuals achieve educational and career goals across nonprofits, libraries, public schools, and higher education.

She learned the importance of motherhood from her own mom, who nurtured curiosity and growth. Outside of work, Susanna enjoys biking around the city and exploring bookstores, libraries, and art galleries.

Anne Schulz, MSW, is the Senior Director of Impact at New Moms, bringing over 35 years of experience in program administration, evaluation, and grant management across HIV/AIDS, substance use, parenting youth, and refugee services.

Anne’s understanding of motherhood deepened through her own experience as a parent and her faith. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Mexican restaurants, cheering for Ohio State football, studying the Bible, and reading.

Gail Shelton, MA, is the Director of Parent Education and Recruitment at New Moms. Her career has centered on supporting children and families by providing resources and community connections/partnerships, education, coaching, and teaching, including her long-standing role as an adjunct instructor in early childhood education.

She learned the importance of motherhood from her mom’s unconditional love and sacrifices. Outside of work, Gail enjoys watching sports, cartoons, and playing golf.

Anne Larsen VanderWeele serves as Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at New Moms, where she leads efforts to advance public policies that support young families. Her career has focused on systems change, poverty alleviation, and strengthening human services through advocacy and public funding.

Anne learned about motherhood from her own mom and from parenting her children, who inspire curiosity and wonder. Outside of work, she enjoys cultural events, gardening, traveling, and watching spy thrillers.

Nika Vaughan is the Director of Social Enterprise at Bright Endeavors, where she focuses on building sustainable businesses through people-centered systems, training, and operations. Her career has spanned mission-driven and consumer-facing organizations.

Nika learned the importance of motherhood from her mother, an early education art teacher. Outside of work, she volunteers in woodland restoration and tends to a personal collection of hundreds of houseplants.

Laura Velazquez serves as Director of Finance at New Moms, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit experience driven by a commitment to community impact. Her work reflects a passion for service and stewardship.

She learned the importance of motherhood from generations of women in her family. Outside of work, Laura enjoys hiking, family time, camping, coffee chats, and quiet mornings.

Katie Wise is the Director of Family Support at New Moms, where she leads home-visit and doula programs that support young families during pregnancy and early parenthood. She brings over 20 years of experience in social services and nonprofit leadership.

Katie learned the importance of motherhood from her aunt, grandmother, and her two daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, participating in book clubs, and spending time along the Chicago lakefront.

Aasta Ziegler, MSW, LCSW, serves as Director of Clinical Services at New Moms, where she oversees the Mental Wellness program. Her career spans over 20 years in program leadership, clinical supervision, and community-based mental health practice.

Aasta’s understanding of motherhood was shaped by her mother and by the community of mothers she joined when she became a parent. In her work, she values a relational and collaborative approach to care, grounded in the belief that healing and growth happen in community. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, great food, and movie nights with her family.