Debra Karch

Experience

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  Chaney & Karch Insurance, Inc.

  Jan 1991 - May 2004

  Principal Owner

  Agency Principal Owner, Comptroller, Licensed Insurance Professional, All Lines Insurance Producer

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  American Cancer Society

  Oct 2002 - Sept 2013

  Served as lead strategist and senior most executive field leader of 225+ staff and 100,000+ volunteers as the primary staff partner for the Regional Volunteer Development Committee of the Board of Directors. Enterprise Co-Chair of the Nationwide Volunteer Staff Partnership Committee, Talent Strategy Advisory Group and member of the Corporate IT Executive Liaisons Group. Committed to excellence in developing and retaining top performing staff while enhancing the quality of the volunteer experience on behalf of our lifesaving mission. Show less

  • SVP, Chief Field Operations Officer

    Dec 2006 - Sept 2013

  • Regional Vice President

    Oct 2002 - Dec 2006
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  Saving tiny Hearts Society

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  Executive Director and CEO

  Led strategy, design, organization, implementation and execution of business functions and mission support on behalf of the organization. Directed all aspects of Corporate and Community Engagement, serving as the lead executive to raise the profile of our organization to the public we serve.

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  Best Buddies International

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  State Director - Illinois

  Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to almost 1500 middle school, high school and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States and in over 50 countries around the world.Serving as the lead executive in Illinois, I had the privilege of creating vision, leading strategy and day-to-day operations for the world's largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Show less

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  Dwight Economic Alliance

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2021

  Economic Development Director

  Dwight Economic Alliance is established to promote and provide meaningful business and community growth by supporting economic development opportunities for the Village of Dwight and the surrounding area. The Alliance formed in 2014, when multiple organizations devoted to the economic stability and success of Dwight combined their resources and efforts to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Our primary focus includes: *Partnering with and providing services to our existing Dwight business members to foster success.*Working within our community to make Dwight an attractive place to work and live.*Promoting Dwight to new businesses who consider opening or expanding operations in the area.*Encouraging Dwight community involvement through our events and volunteer opportunities.*Increasing the number of tourists visiting Dwight and the number of tourist dollars staying in Dwight. Show less

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  State Senator Thomas M. Bennett

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2023

  Chief Of Staff
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  Illinois State Representative Dennis Tipsword

  Jan 2023 - now

  Chief of Staff