Harry Craan serves as Chair of the Project Exploration Board of Directors, bringing extensive experience in technology, financial services, strategic planning, education, workforce development, and organizational leadership to the role.

A retired IT executive with JPMorgan Chase, Harry built a career leading within the technology and financial services sectors. Today, he continues his commitment to developing the next generation of talent as an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech Community College, where he teaches Software Engineering.

Harry brings to Project Exploration a strong interest in STEM education, workforce development, diversity, equity and inclusion, board governance, and long-term organizational sustainability. He is particularly passionate about helping Project Exploration expand partnerships and strengthen connections to corporations, funders, and community stakeholders who can advance the organization’s mission.

As Board Chair, Harry is committed to creating opportunities for meaningful strategic discussion and ensuring Board members are intentionally engaged according to their expertise, interests, and networks. He believes strong governance and an actively engaged Board are essential to helping Project Exploration grow its impact and remain sustainable for the young people and communities it serves.

Harry’s leadership reflects Project Exploration’s commitment to connecting young people who have historically been underrepresented in STEM with the education, experiences, relationships, and pathways that allow them to see themselves succeeding in STEM and beyond.

Claribel Rodriguez serves as Vice Chair of the Project Exploration Board of Directors, bringing extensive experience in public-sector leadership, strategic planning, youth development, community engagement, operations, and organizational management.

Claribel currently serves as a Senior Project Manager with the Chicago Park District, where she leads large and complex initiatives impacting more than 2,000 employees within the Community Recreation Department. Throughout her career, she has held leadership, educational, and consulting roles with organizations and institutions including After School Matters, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and other public and community-based agencies.

Her cross-sector experience gives Claribel a broad perspective on how government, education, nonprofit organizations, and communities can work together to create stronger systems and greater opportunities for young people. She brings particular expertise in strategic planning, public policy and government relations, community and youth development, human resources, operations, facilities, nonprofit leadership, and conflict resolution.

Claribel’s commitment to Project Exploration is also deeply personal. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a surgeon because she wanted to save lives. Without access to a clear pathway or a mentor who could help her understand how to pursue that dream, however, she eventually let it go. That experience helps fuel her belief in Project Exploration’s mission and the importance of giving young people early access to STEM experiences, professionals, mentors, and supportive communities.

Having supported Project Exploration in multiple ways over the years, Claribel brings both institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to the young people PE serves. As Vice Chair, she helps strengthen strategic Board leadership while championing opportunities that allow young people to discover their interests, see new possibilities, and have the guidance and support needed to pursue them.

Tim Kolschowsky serves as Treasurer of the Project Exploration Board of Directors, bringing significant experience in philanthropy, financial stewardship, nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.

Tim is President of the Gerald A. & Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s charitable activities and helps direct philanthropic resources toward organizations and initiatives that create meaningful impact. His experience in philanthropy gives him a valuable perspective on how nonprofit organizations can strengthen their financial sustainability, demonstrate impact, and build lasting relationships with funders and supporters.

Tim also brings extensive Board experience, including previous service in Treasurer roles. His background in finance, strategic planning, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and business development supports Project Exploration’s commitment to strong governance and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

As Project Exploration’s Treasurer, Tim helps provide financial oversight while contributing to broader conversations about organizational sustainability, revenue diversification, and long-term growth. He is especially interested in helping PE identify new sources of funding and strengthen the resources necessary to sustain and expand opportunities for young people.

At the center of Tim’s commitment to Project Exploration is a belief in youth empowerment and the importance of giving young people access to experiences that expand their opportunities and possibilities for the future.

Katherine “Kathy” Acles brings decades of leadership in technology, higher education, strategic planning, and STEM advocacy to the Project Exploration Board of Directors.

Kathy spent more than 25 years leading teams of technical professionals in telecommunications research and development at Bell Laboratories, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies. She later brought that experience into higher education, spending nearly a decade managing graduate business programs at North Park University and Loyola University Chicago. She has also taught graduate-level courses in marketing and information technology.

For Kathy, Project Exploration’s mission is also deeply connected to her own story. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side, she is a graduate of Chicago Public Schools and the University of Illinois Chicago. Her professional journey and commitment to education have shaped her passion for ensuring that young people—particularly those who have historically had limited access to STEM opportunities—can see and pursue pathways into science, technology, engineering, and related careers.

As a member of Project Exploration’s Board, Kathy contributes expertise in strategic planning, STEM education, marketing and communications, and organizational leadership. She also supports the Board’s Human Resources and Development efforts and is committed to helping strengthen the financial resources and relationships necessary to sustain Project Exploration’s work.

Kathy’s service reflects her belief in the power of education, exposure, and opportunity to expand what young people believe is possible for their futures.

Cristina “Tina” Barillas-McEntee brings extensive experience in workforce development, the skilled trades, community leadership, advocacy, and nonprofit service to the Project Exploration Board of Directors.

A journeyworker plumber and longtime advocate for women in the skilled trades, Tina works with Chicago Women in Trades, where she helps women access training, employment, and opportunities to build sustainable careers in industries where women have historically been underrepresented. Her work is grounded in helping people move beyond simply finding a job to building careers that provide economic mobility, stability, and long-term opportunity.

Tina brings a broad range of expertise to Project Exploration, including workforce development, community development, public policy and government relations, fundraising, communications, diversity and inclusion, nonprofit leadership, and board governance. She also serves in leadership and board roles with organizations focused on workers, women, and community empowerment.

Her commitment to Project Exploration is closely connected to PE’s mission of helping young people see pathways into careers they may not have previously considered. Tina is particularly interested in strengthening programs, community partnerships, workforce opportunities, and connections that help young people translate their interests and talents into meaningful educational and career possibilities.

As a Board member, Tina brings the perspective of a skilled trades professional, workforce advocate, nonprofit leader, and community connector. She is committed to helping Project Exploration create stronger bridges between education, career exploration, workforce development, and economic opportunity for young people.

Elaina Shannon brings extensive experience in educational leadership, special education, program development, organizational strategy, and student advocacy to the Project Exploration Board of Directors.

Elaina is the Founder and Principal of Connections Academy East, where she provides strategic and instructional leadership while overseeing the school’s programming, operations, staff, financial planning, and continued growth. Her work centers on creating student-focused systems and services that respond to the individual needs of young people while strengthening partnerships among educators, families, and community stakeholders.

As an educational leader, Elaina is particularly passionate about special education, trauma-informed practices, technology, and ensuring that students have access to meaningful learning opportunities regardless of the barriers they may face. She also volunteers as an educational advocate for families throughout the Chicagoland area and serves on the Board of All Families United, an organization supporting families of individuals with autism.

Elaina’s commitment to Project Exploration is rooted in her belief that every young person should have access to experiences that expand what they believe is possible for their future. She is especially interested in helping PE expand meaningful STEM learning and career opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to them.

As a Board member, Elaina brings expertise in educational leadership, strategic planning, program development, finance, technology, and community partnership-building. She is committed to helping Project Exploration turn ideas into action and develop programs and partnerships that create meaningful and lasting opportunities for young people.