Our Team
Meet the Staff and Board of Directors
Staff
Beth Palmer
Director Emeritus
Beth Struck Palmer started the Tutoring Program with volunteer tutors in 1984, because children in her choir could not read the words of the songs. Growing from that were the Saturday Tutoring Program with 8th graders from Wilmette Jr. High as tutors, and the Summer Piano Program with volunteer piano tutors. In 2016 Ms. Palmer received the United Voices for Children Child Worker Award. In 2018 she was declared a “Living Treasure” by the Edgewater Historical Society. Ms. Palmer also plays the pipe organ at Epworth Church.
Simone Yael
Learning Program Manager
Simone Yael has a BA in Theatre and Pedagogy from SIU Carbondale and a Master’s in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati. Passionate about reading, playwriting, and the arts, Simone develops innovative educational programs that inspire creativity and integrate technology. Residing in Chicago with her family and Boxer-Basset hound, Titan, Simone strives to enhance learning experiences for all.
Board of Directors
Jessica Erhard
Chair
Jessica has enjoyed tutoring ever since she was a children's book group leader at her local library during high school in the 00s. She began tutoring at Inspired Youth in Spring 2015. Jessica's favorite subject to teach is mathematics, since she likes to share her enjoyment of the subject with others and believes it is important to almost every aspect of life. She values music education and has taught piano in the summer music program. Jessica works as a software engineer and is originally from Illinois.
Dan Solomon
Secretary
Dan is a retired software engineer who lives in West Rogers Park. In addition to his work with Inspired Youth, he serves as secretary of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, and as volunteer coordinator for Adult Education at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. In his spare time, he likes to backpack, read, and participate in philosophy discussion groups.
Clay Cerny
Treasurer
Clay Cerny has been an online and in-person tutor with Inspired Youth since 2016. He has also assisted students during STEM projects. He owns AAA Targeted Writing & Coaching, a career coaching and resume writing firm located in Andersonville. Clay earned a Ph.D. in English literature from Northwestern University. He is a hopeless
Cubs fan.
Selina Sepulveda
Board Member
Selina has been a tutor with Inspired Youth since 2019. She has hands-on experience in youth programming and survey research. She is currently a Manager with NORC at the University of Chicago, where she works with researchers on a variety of national surveys. Selina earned her Master of Public Health from DePaul University and is committed to empowering Chicago’s youth and communities. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, attending music festivals, and spending time with her dog, Achilles.
Kenny Roman
Board Member
Kenny, a longtime Uptown resident and former Inspired Youth student, returned as a tutor after earning his doctorate and later joined the board. He enjoys reading science journals, planning family events, and exploring the city’s food scene.
Yim Yan
Board Member
Yim first volunteered with Inspired Youth in 2008, when she moved from her hometown of Los Angeles to Chicago. As it goes, life took her elsewhere and back to the Windy City ten years later. Yim was delighted to rejoin Inspired Youth as a tutor in 2018 and board member in 2023. Cultivating learning spaces alongside the Inspired Youth community has been a meaningful experience for her, and she hopes you’ll consider joining the fun if you haven’t already! Professionally, Yim spends her time in the delicious world of food innovation.
Sridevi Achanta
Board Member
Sridevi graduated with a Computer Science degree in India. She married a Software Engineer and moved to America. She has two sons, one who recently became a tutor for Inspired Youth, and one who has been a tutee since 2018. Sridevi has been involved with Inspired Youth's tutoring program since 2018, joining the board in 2022.
Jimmy Lipsey
Board Member
Jimmy Lipsey began tutoring with Inspired Youth when he was a student at Wilmette Jr. High School in 2012. He is currently a global supply planning manager for Target. He enjoys working with kids in different grade levels and supporting the community around him.