Guided by the people who govern and grow 548 Foundation.
Our Board of Directors sets strategy and holds us accountable. Our Auxiliary Board brings industry expertise, employer relationships, and community roots to that work.
Setting strategy and holding us accountable.
Dr. Gene Crume
Dr. Crume has served as President of Judson University for 12 years, leading its first comprehensive strategic plan and introducing the university’s first doctoral programs. He also launched the R.I.S.E. program for intellectually differently-abled students and has helped raise over $3 million through the university’s World Leaders Forum.
Winston Blake
Winston has over 20 years of experience in financial services, beginning at JP Morgan Chase before serving as President of Attucks Asset Management, where he oversaw a $4 billion portfolio for institutional investors and led an acquisition that doubled the firm’s assets.
James Luster
A Chicago Southside native, James is dedicated to educating individuals on the importance of financial planning. His programs equip individuals with the financial tools required to accumulate generational wealth, empowering families to secure their long-term financial future.
Cory Croft
Cory brings 16 years of experience across corporate and operational roles, including inventory management, strategy, and marketing at Target, Accenture, Delta Airlines, and Expedia, as well as leadership positions at startups Sonder and Rinse.
Anna Barsky
Anna has been in the 1031 exchange industry for over 15 years, specializing in complex real estate exchanges and frequently teaching continuing education classes for law firms, accounting firms, and commercial real estate companies across the Midwest.
Robert “A.J.” Patton
A.J. is a finance and capital markets expert with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, endowment management, and real estate development. He founded 548 Capital and 548 Development, later merging them into 548 Enterprise, focused on housing, sustainability, and economic growth in inner cities.
Jeff Allen
Jeff provides capital to real estate investors across the Chicagoland area, specializing in underwriting, portfolio management, and asset quality. He previously supported development projects in underserved communities as a Senior Commercial Real Estate Banker at Urban Partnership Bank.
Meet the people helping shape our path.
Jeffrey “Jake” Berglund
Jeff is passionate about developing people and strengthening the construction industry through workforce development, innovation, and operational excellence. He believes construction has the power to transform communities through the buildings it creates and the meaningful careers it provides.
Kristol W. Simms
With nearly two decades of experience guiding strategy in the utility sector, Kristol brings a rare blend of legal expertise, regulatory fluency, and deep community insight to her work. She leads Ameren Illinois’ work in energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, non-wires alternatives, and clean energy strategy, turning state policy goals into implementable programs with durable regional benefits.
Shon Harris
Driven by continued growth and opportunity, Shon expanded his portfolio of services to include concrete installation and general contracting. To ensure each division could fully realize its potential, he established BlackRock Construction, a firm that has quickly emerged as a rising star in the Chicagoland construction market.
Jake Pepper
Across his roles, Jake is helping Pepper enter new markets, build strategic relationships and reduce the construction industry’s environmental impact—while creating lasting economic opportunities in historically underserved communities.
Two boards keep us accountable — to governance and to community.
Strategic Guidance
Helping prioritize where the Lake Street Campus, program design, and fundraising go next.
Industry Connections
Warm introductions to employers, unions, and clean-energy partners across Chicago.
Community Accountability
A check that our growth still serves the neighborhoods 548 was built for.
Interested in joining a board?
We're always looking for leaders who share our mission.