PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW

February 24, 2026

“Board members play very significant roles providing guidance to nonprofits by contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates. Beyond fulfilling legal duties, board members can be important resources for the organization in multiple ways,” National Council of Nonprofits website.

A strong Board of Directors is essential to the success of any nonprofit organization. CCLF has long benefited from the leadership, expertise, and commitment of an exceptional Board, which makes the departure of long-serving members particularly meaningful.

As with all seasons of service, transitions are inevitable. CCLF recognizes and celebrates the retirement of two distinguished and dedicated board members, John Touhy and Jody Adler, whose contributions have helped shape the organization’s growth and impact.

John Touhy, Retired Partner at Chapman and Cutler LLP, served on CCLF’s Board of Directors for 24 years, including eight years as Board Chair. His leadership, institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to CCLF’s mission have left a lasting legacy.

“His leadership, his commitment to this organization, and the way he did it, the tone he set, I think are the three things that really stand out to me,” states Matthew R. Reilein, National Equity Fund.

Prior to joining the Board, John served as a volunteer attorney for numerous CCLF property closings. His early involvement gave him firsthand insight into the organization’s impact, and he has remained deeply committed to CCLF ever since, motivated by the meaningful work being carried out in communities across Chicagoland.

“Being on the board and being the chair has been extremely rewarding for me. So maybe I gave a lot to the organization, but the organization gave a lot to me. It was a $7 million organization when I came on the board. It’s a $230 million organization now that’s really rewarding. And then to see the staff development from three employees where they are now, also rewarding,” states John Touhy.

Jody Adler, a consultant at Lawyers for the Creative Arts, served on CCLF’s Board of Directors for 12 years. Her engagement with CCLF began earlier in her career, when she facilitated the placement of pro bono attorneys while serving as Director of the Volunteer Program at the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

“My experiences with Jody on the Governance Committee, where she’s been a strong voice to make sure that we are answering the next question, answering all the questions we need to answer, staying on the right side of the rules and regulations, but also just keeping an eye on fulfilling the mission of CCLF. We have valued Jody’s consistent input and all of her dedication to CCLF,” said Kathryn Tholin, Chair, CCLF Governance Committee.

“I am incredibly appreciative of the time I have been on the board, the time I was helping get pro bono attorneys, and I am incredibly appreciative that I’m going to have the opportunity to stay connected. Kudos to this board for thinking that people who are moving off the board can stay connected through committee work,” explained Adler.

CCLF is excited to welcome three new board members that will bring valuable new perspectives to the organization: Dorothy Abreu, President, Platinum International Financial Services, LLC; Juliana Gonzalez-Crussi, President & CEO/Executive Director, Center for Changing Lives; and Paul Lopez, Vice President, Community Development Manager, Old National Bank.