our people

Engagement Chair

Emma received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish as well as Secondary Education from The University of Iowa and she has a Master’s in Urban Education from National Louis University. Emma taught English for two years in a small village in Northern Spain called Logroño, and returned to Chicago's southwest side to teach Spanish to heritage speakers of the language for eight years. She recently pivoted to the world of Marketing Operations where she works on the offers team for the McDonald’s app. Emma is excited to see where those two extremes unite in the future, but in the meantime she enjoys walking to the park with her rescue dog Winnie, watching objectively bad television, and reading as much as possible.

President

Chelsea's professional career began in HR Consulting, where she provided realistic, compliant HR advice to her clients for over 5 years. More recently, she's helped shape and enhance competitive benefit programs, developing trusted, professional relationships along the way, always keeping the best interests of team members in mind.

Chelsea graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management and University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a Bachelor's Degree in Business & Marketing Education. She holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification from the HR Certification Institute. She's originally from Green Bay, WI, and enjoys traveling, volunteering, taking pilates & spin classes, tasting ethnic cuisines, and watching sports with family & friends - Go Pack! Another fun fact - Chelsea taught English in Thailand.

Member

Halie received her Bachelor of Science in Health and Public Affairs from The University of Central Florida and has dedicated most of her professional time working hand and hand with hospitals, putting effort toward improving patient outcomes and achieving greater efficiencies. Before relocating to Chicago, she spent time volunteering as a youth soccer coach, interning at NextStep Paralysis Recovery Center, and worked with underprivileged communities through Junior Achievement. While visiting Chicago for the first time at 16, she decided that somehow, some way, she would make it here. Through remaining dedicated, goal oriented, and stern on reaching greater heights despite obstacles, she was finally able to reach her goal in December of 2020.

At Prismatic, she hopes to have a hand in opening meaningful doors for others, empower others to see their true capabilities, and encourage others to stand firm in their dreams.

Vice President & Fundraising Chair

Mackenzie Lukas is a real estate strategy consultant who helps her clients determine how to best leverage their portfolios to achieve organizational goals while exciting and caring for their employees. She is passionate about making an impact in her community through organizations focused on the education, literacy, and wellbeing of women and children. You may catch her volunteering at a Chicago Public Library branch in a silly hat performing for a group of kids. If you do, come say hi! During Mackenzie’s free time, she loves to read along the lake, go to the movies, and find the hottest restaurants to try – sometimes in Chicago, sometimes halfway around the world.

Member

Derek is a water resources engineer from El Paso, TX who has had the privilege to travel the country to pursue a wide variety of professional, academic, and personal opportunities. Given the fact that he come from a very low-income background, he has had to teach himself what it means to navigate through the business world, to communicate effectively with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and what it means to truly develop goals, educate oneself, and develop into the type of leader he wishes to be. Throughout this journey Derek has been able to use the different subjects that he has studied to help people around the world. Without a doubt, it's been his acts of service, and the growth of his passion for service that's been the most important part of his journey. This same passion for service drives Prismatic, and as such, he is truly honored to be here!