Ed Jacob, Executive Director

Ed Jacob assumed the top leadership position at NHS of Chicago in June 2010 after serving 10 years as CEO of the North Side Community Federal Union. He has more than 25 years of community development and lending experience. “It’s a great honor for me to join NHS,” said Jacob. “There is no better place to be if you want to preserve communities and make an impact in Chicago.” While at the North Side Community Federal Credit Union, Jacob developed nationally recognized alternatives to “Payday’ loans and other forms of predatory loans. Under his leadership, North Side CFCU doubled its assets, was recognized with the Vision Award from the Egan Campaign for Payday Loan Reform, and became the first financial institution in 10 years honored with the Chicago Neighborhood Development Award from LISC. Also during Jacob’s tenure, the North Side CFCU became a HUD-certified counseling agency.

Prior to his work at the credit union, Jacob was a Vice President in the Community Reinvestment Department for Bank One and its predecessor bank, First Chicago, with responsibility for Illinois programs. Jacob’s entire professional career has been in Chicago, including more than ten years working at various community development organizations on the city’s north side. Jacob currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Corporation for Supportive Housing Illinois and on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Community Loan Fund and the Chicago Community Land Trust.

In 2003, Mr. Jacob was honored by LaSalle National Bank with the Tom Gobby Community Leadership Award for his work in providing affordable credit to low ¬and moderate-income families. He received his Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Marquette University, with a BA in Political Science, Economics, and Urban Affairs.

Mark Leon, Chief Financial Officer

Mark Leon joined the NHS staff as its Chief Financial Officer in December 2010.  As CFO, he is responsible for developing NHS’ overall financial strategy as well as leading NHS’ financial, accounting, administrative, and technology functions.  Additionally, he provides overall direction related to investments, capital development, and asset management.  Prior to joining NHS, Mr. Leon was CFO of a large, Chicago based nonprofit charter school network where he was instrumental in developing their multi-year strategic and operational plans as well as the annual operating budgets. 

Mr. Leon has over 19 years of experience in strategic and operational planning, financial accounting and controls, IT strategy and IT management, having worked as a management consultant at Diamond Management Consultants and Ernst & Young LLP and commercial banker at Shorebank. Mark began his career as a volunteer Small Business Advisor with the US Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa, where he helped establish one of the country’s first microloan programs.  He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Georgetown University.  He is also a CPA licensed in the State of Illinois.

Robert G. Tucker, Corporate General Counsel & Chief Risk Officer

Bob Tucker joined the NHS staff in 2009. As Corporate General Counsel & Chief Risk Officer, he is responsible for overseeing a broad area of responsibilities, including overseeing all NHS legal operations and coordinating the work of outside legal counsel. He analyzes risks, develops strategies for managing and minimizing risks and advises NHS on legal requirements, corporate policies and procedures and best practices. Before joining NHS, Mr. Tucker was a partner in the National Public Finance group at Chapman and Cutler LLP, where he started his legal career in 1992. His legal experience includes housing, public finance, securitization and general corporate matters, and he also is experienced in litigation and in representing not-for-profit corporations. Mr. Tucker earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Emory University.

Deborah Moore, Associate Director, Neighborhood Strategy and Planning

Deborah Moore became Associate Director of Neighborhood Strategy and Planning in October of 2010. A long time asset to the organization, Moore first began serving NHS in 1996 as Director of the West Englewood office, and became Director of the Auburn Gresham/Englewood Office in 2000.  As the Associate Director of Neighborhood Strategy and Planning, Moore directs and develops neighborhood program resources and oversees the staff for the seven neighborhood offices and NHS of the Fox Valley.   Additionally, she administers the implementation of both national and local community development initiatives in the neighborhoods, including NHS’ involvement in the City of Chicago’s Micro-Market Recovery Program and in various NeighborWorks®programs. Her role also includes orchestrating the beneficial relationships between the Neighborhood Strategy office and other programs and divisions within the organization. 

Prior to joining NHS, Moore was extensively involved in community development in many of Chicago’s low income neighborhoods. Working closely in Austin, South Shore, Auburn Gresham, and Englewood, Moore directed the development of housing co-ops, commercial buildings, and a successful artist incubator. Moore remains committed to the betterment of the South Side’s underserved neighborhoods, and currently serves on the boards of the Greater Auburn Gresham Community Development Corporation and the Genesis Housing Community Development Corporation, and as Commissioner for the 79th Street Special Service Area #32.

Moore was awarded the Community Hero Award by the Greater Auburn Gresham Community Development Corporation’s New Community’s Program in 2007 for her innovative work in and continued commitment to the Auburn Gresham community. She received her Masters in Human Services Administration, with a curricular concentration in Affordable Housing Development at Speitus College. 

Robin Coffey, Assistant Deputy Director, Program Services and Strategy

Robin Coffey joined the NHS staff in February 2009.  As Assistant Deputy Director, Ms. Coffey’s responsibilities include the oversight its state-licensed nonprofit mortgage company, Neighborhood Lending Services and the Full-Cycle Homeownership Programs.  She also oversees the numerous loan portfolios’ financial reporting, investor relations and loan servicing, in addition to the required reporting on all of the homeownership and foreclosure mitigation counseling contracts.

Before joining NHS, Ms. Coffey spent over 21 years in community development banking, culminating as the Senior Vice President and CRA Officer with Harris Bank. After earning a B.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ms. Coffey began her career as a VISTA volunteer at the Chicago Architectural Assistance Center. She continues to volunteer her time on the board of directors of the North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School, and Business and Professional People for the Public Interest.

Becca Goldstein, Director of Innovation, Evaluation, and Public Policy

Becca Goldstein joined the NHS team in December 2010. As the Director of Innovation, Evaluation, and Public Policy, she works with NHS staff, external partners, and government officials to identify emerging trends and develop new programs, strategies, and public policy initiatives.

Before joining NHS, Ms. Goldstein served as Assistant to the Mayor in the office of Mayor Richard M. Daley, where she was liaison to the City’s housing and development departments, including the Department of Community Development, Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning, Chicago Housing Authority, and Public Building Commission. She had previously served as a policy analyst at the Department of Housing and the Chicago Housing Authority. Prior to joining municipal government, she worked at a Chicago-based public affairs firm where she counseled government, non-profit, and corporate clients on communications strategies to achieve public policy goals. Ms. Goldstein earned a B.A. in American Studies from Northwestern University and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Mary Carlson, Director of Resource Development and Public Affairs

Mary Carlson joined NHS in August 2006 as Manager of Special Events and Individual Giving.  As Director, Ms. Carlson serves as the principal strategist for maintaining, developing, and implementing creative methods for supporting NHS through increased philanthropy and promoting a strong public image.

With nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience in management and fundraising, Ms. Carlson’s background includes marketing and community outreach; operation, program and project management; formation of strategic partnerships; and planning multifaceted fundraising strategies such as large-scale and community-based events,  annual funds, grants, and individual donor development. Ms. Carlson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College.