About Us

Success Bound Team

Liz Lefkofsky

President and Co-founder

Liz Lefkofsky is a leading social philanthropist committed to championing initiatives that enhance the quality of human life. Liz got her start in philanthropy as a young child when helping her mother stuff envelopes in support of the American Brain Tumor Association, which her mother founded. She went on to work at the Printer’s Row Book Fair and Gallery 37, now known as After School Matters. Today, as the President of the Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Liz advances high-impact programs, initiatives and research in the areas of education, women’s health, medical research and the arts. Liz and her husband Eric Lefkofsky established the Foundation in 2006 and became signees of the Giving Pledge in 2013. Liz serves as a board member for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Ravinia Festival and Peer Health Exchange.

When I was in Middle School... I wanted to grow up to be Barbra Walters.

Rachel Graham

Director

Rachel Graham is the Director of Education and Success Bound for the Lefkofsky Family Foundation in Chicago. In this role, she oversees the Foundation’s education grantmaking and runs Success Bound, the Foundation’s middle grades initiative. Rachel serves as the Co-Chair of the Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood Advisory Council, is on the Local School Council of Otis Elementary School in Chicago and serves as a national board member for the Association for Middle Level Education and Mikva Challenge. Previously, she created the Youth Program for Chicago Ideas, which during the course of five years empowered thousands of high school students to spark ideas into action and make change in themselves, their schools and their communities. Prior to her role at the Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Rachel worked as a school psychologist in a suburban elementary school. Rachel has a Masters in School Psychology from Northeastern University in Boston.

When I was in Middle School... I got my first C because I thought talking was more important than listening in Social Studies.

Shauntel Page

Manager of Operations and Enrollment

Shauntel is a dedicated youth-development professional with a passion for supporting middle school students in their transition to high school and beyond. She has been a member of the Success Bound team since 2019 and has focused on building strong relationships with school leaders and educators to create effective strategies for supporting middle school students. Before joining Success Bound, she spent over ten years working for youth-serving nonprofit organizations. She has extensive experience running programs that support young people in a variety of ways. She has managed school-based youth programs, directed an all-girls after-school and summer program, and led professional development initiatives for professionals working in the out-of-school time space. Shauntel is a graduate of Creighton University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

When I was in Middle School... I discovered my love for running track and I dreamed of going to the Olympics. Shoutout to the Monroe Mustangs!

Erica Faulkner

Manager of Network Strategy

Erica Faulkner believe's every child is capable of carving out their own unique path and ultimately transforming the world around them. She has 20 years of experience in education and has served as a middle school math teacher for 13 of those years. In addition to teaching, Erica has served as an instructional coach, data strategist, and more recently a Social Emotional Learning specialist with Chicago Public Schools. Erica currently serves as the Manager of Network Strategy with Success Bound whose mission is to enhance the middle school experience through 6th-8th grade curriculum and adult professional learning grounded in the science of adolescent development. Erica holds an AM in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana.

When I was in Middle School... I created and sold hand painted sweatshirts and hairbows to my classmates. My merchandise was in high demand!

Kristen Nguyen

Manager of Curriculum and Professional Learning

Kristen Nguyen believes in the power of education to transform individuals and communities to be more equitable, inclusive, and healing-centered. Kristen is the Manager of Curriculum and Professional Learning at Success Bound. Previously, she supported the Chicago Public School district as a Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) Instructional Specialist. Since 2008, Kristen has worn many hats as an educator, including classroom teaching (grades 3-12), curriculum development, and instructional coaching. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University in Michigan, a Master of Arts in Adventure/Experiential Education from Prescott College in Arizona, and is due to earn a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University in Boston in Spring 2023.

When I was in Middle School... I dreamed of one day having my own show on Animal Planet.

Marie Tapp

Curriculum and Coaching Specialist

Marie Tapp is an educator and youth advocate and the newest member of the Success Bound Team. She serves as the Curriculum and Coaching Specialist and comes with over 10 years of experience working directly with young people from under-resourced communities. She has taught social sciences at both the high school and middle school level in CPS and within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Marie is currently working towards her masters in school counseling and is committed to working with other educators and youth advocates to ensure that young people have the social emotional skills necessary to reach their full potential.

When I was in Middle School... I started to fall in love with reading mystery novels like the Nancy Drew book series. The love for solving mysteries has continued to this day.

Holland DeBoer

Coaching and Partnership Specialist

Holland DeBoer believes in offering children the skills for a choice-filled life. She has worked for the last five years in middle school education. Before Success Bound Holland taught 5th and 7th grade, and was an instructional coach for 6th-10th grade humanities. She is now working as the Coaching and Partnership Specialist to support the engagement and delivery of Success Bound, as well as building connections in the Chicago area with stakeholders! Holland has a bachelors of science from Arizona State University.

When I was in Middle School... I loved to make YouTube videos with my friends, and appreciated any time I had a creative outlet!

Our Vision

Our vision is that all middle schools cultivate the conditions necessary for every student to thrive.

Our Mission

We partner with educators to transform the middle school experience through student-centered curriculum and adult learning grounded in the science of adolescent development.

At Success Bound We Believe in an approach that is:

Solutions-Oriented

We bring purpose to what we do and continuously aim to move the work forward with clear action steps, acknowledging that there is no one right way to do things. We strive to meet people where they are and maintain an open mind. We acknowledge problems but focus on solutions through flexible and responsive support.

Asset-Based

We prioritize action and language that focuses on the strengths and potential of individuals and school communities, rather than looking at situations or people from a deficit lens of what’s missing or what is wrong. We believe in the potential of ourselves, all students, and schools to succeed.

Empowerment

We seek to create environments where everyone feels empowered to own the work. We recognize that teachers, counselors, students, and staff are experts in their experiences, and we honor their contributions while offering guidance and collaboration to support their autonomy.

Culturally-Responsive

We seek to affirm and sustain the cultural wealth of all stakeholders. We reflect on how our identities shape our perspectives and bring our whole selves to the work while encouraging others to do the same. We strive to create environments where people of all backgrounds feel safe, seen, and valued.

Community-Centered

We endeavor to be bridge builders. We prioritize relationships and coalition-building to make systems work better for all who are involved in or impacted by the work. We value shared power and trusting relationships to foster a sense of community and facilitate collaborative learning and true partnership.

Our Partners in this Work

Our team in this work consists of all the school counselors, principals, teachers and other school staff that champion Success Bound in and outside of their classroom everyday. In order to harness our larger team we rely on the expertise of our Success Bound Ambassadors.