Box United Board
Board Chair
Sarah Derges
Sarah is an alumni of Illinois State University where she graduated with a Masters of Science in Accountancy. "Gladly we learn and teach" is a motto from college she carries with her in her career at RSM in Chicago. Sarah is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in providing assurance and advisory services to domestic and global products-based companies in the middle market. She is an advisor of the local chapter of RSM's employee network group focused on the stewardship, teamwork, advancement, and retention of women. Sarah is passionate about advocating and supporting equitable opportunities for young girls and women through stewardship and strengthening one's mental and physical being.
Community Partnerships Strategy
Auyana Orr
Auyana S. Orr serves as Director of Community Affairs at Ariel Investments, LLC. Her primary responsibilities at Ariel include liaising between Ariel Investments and Ariel Community Academy, leading corporate sponsorships and charitable giving, and representing the firm in various social advocacy partnerships. Auyana also leads the Ariel Education Initiative, which hires support staff at the school to provide extended learning opportunities beyond the school day. Before joining Ariel, Auyana worked at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for over eleven years. In addition to her role at Ariel, Auyana serves on the boards of directors for the Chicago Public Education Fund, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and Sue Duncan Children's Center. Auyana received her BA in Political Science from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her MPP with a concentration in Education Policy from the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago.
Marketing
Joe Williams-Nelson
Meet a girl named Joe from the west side of Chicago. She is the Oprah that you can call; her friends call her: Joprah. Joe works as a Spiritual Life Coach, is a published author, an active philanthropist, and the unofficial, self-appointed president of The BeyHive. As a Harvard alumna, she has coordinated with her fellow Harvard Club of Chicago alum the Early College Awareness events for middle-schoolers for four years now. Joe is also a member of the Garfield Park Conservatory Community Advisory Board and founder of The Chicago Pride Organization where she works to dispel negative and/or false assertions about west side communities. Joe and her hubby have raised 4 kiddos to adulthood. Currently, her empty nester passions include lifelong learning, cooking, movies, traveling, and Beyoncé.
Leadership Strategy
Lisa Nagorny
Lisa is the Chief Operating Officer of Triad Consulting Group, a boutique firm that helps leaders, teams, and organizations enhance collaboration through expertise in communication, conflict management, and negotiation. Previously, she served as Global Director of Client Development at Brunswick Group, where she developed an innovative client service program, and as VP of Strategy and Operations at Essay101, an education startup. A U.S. Navy veteran, Lisa began her career as a Naval Officer.
As a former college athlete, Lisa values the role of sports in fostering confidence, leadership, and resilience and is dedicated to empowering the next generation of women. She holds a BA in Political Science from Duke University, an MBA from Wharton, and is a certified executive coach. Lisa also serves on Duke University’s Regional Chicago Board.
Legal
Karen Crawford
Karen Crawford is a seasoned legal executive with over twenty-five years of broad experience in commercial contracts, regulatory matters, real estate, corporate governance, employment issues, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation management. Karen works part-time as General Counsel for Network Funding, L.P., a residential mortgage company, where she leads legal, compliance, and internal audit functions. Karen held the positions of Chief Legal Officer or Chief Administrative Officer at Celink, Pacific Union Financial and Stearns Lending, where she led teams of up to 40 in legal, compliance, risk, internal audit, corporate communications, and human resources functions. She is delighted to be a member of the Box United board.