Iris has more than thirty-five years of experience in philanthropy. Before establishing the firm in 1991, she was the executive director of a family foundation and a corporate giving program. Prior to that, she was a senior staff associate at a major community foundation. She began her career in philanthropy by serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil. Iris is one of the co-founders of the Chicago Foundation for Women and served as its first board chair. Currently, her volunteer efforts include active participation in associations of donors and nonprofit organizations’ boards. She is often called upon to moderate or participate in panels, workshops and seminars and has received awards and other commendations for her service. Masters degrees from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago contribute to her expertise. Manager

Betty Jo brings many years of experience in information and office management to our clients.  Her work encompasses the spectrum of client services, including preparing grants lists to performing grants management.   Her strong communication skills, energetic approach to problem solving, and strong commitment to community building enhance our ability to keep projects running smoothly. Betty Jo is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph, with a major in English.

With a background in education and 10 years as a teacher, Lauren has a strong understanding and interest in children's issues and serves in leadership roles in several initiatives to improve access and equity in education and mental health. Through her multiple responsibilities at Iris Krieg & Associates, Inc., she has garnered experience across a broad array of giving areas including arts and culture and social services as well as different models of grantmaking. Lauren goes the extra mile to ensure that each client's needs are met and that she stays abreast of emerging strategies in philanthropy. She has assisted IKA clients in designing new grantmaking guidelines and manages the day-to-day actvities of multiple foundations.

Lauren has undergraduate degrees from Bryn Mawr College in Spanish and anthropology and a Masters degree from Framingham State College in Educational Leadership.

Donna has worked in operations, research, and records management for over 20 years in the banking industry. Her works shows her commitment to maintaining proper records and to maximizing back office efficiencies. She puts the needs of the clients first while providing individualized support services.

Richard was born and raised in the Vietnamese community of Uptown where he attended Chicago Public Schools and youth empowerment programs. He was later awarded the Posse Foundation Leadership Scholarship to study at Oberlin College. Richard has spent his career working with nonprofits spanning community-based social service agencies serving immigrant and refugee populations, global humanitarian aid organizations, and the healthcare sector supporting an end to the HIV epidemic. Richard credits his maternal grandmother, parents, and Uptown family for enabling him to think critically about the investment in organizations working to address systemic issues in divested communities. 

Richard is enrolled at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (formerly known as the School of Social Service Administration). He previously studied Climate Change and Health at Yale University. His work in philanthropy and commitment to Chicago is further embodied as the Program Fellow at The Field Foundation of Illinois and as an inaugural member of the Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corps.

Nettie brings a unique set of accounting and finance skills to Iris Krieg & Associates, Inc. obtained from her experience working with large nonprofits. She is responsible for maintenance of client accounts and ensuring that records meet government requirements and the highest accounting standards. Clients also value her common sense approach to providing financial information that is useful and straightforward.Nettie has a B.S. in accounting from DeVry Institute and is nearing completion of her studies to become a CPA. Outside of her professional work, Nettie volunteers with a homeless shelter helping families transition back to self-sufficiency. management for over 20 years in the banking industry. Her works shows her commitment to maintaining proper records and to maximizing back office efficiencies. She puts the needs of the clients first while providing individualized support services.