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Our Vision

We envision a community where every young adult with a disability has the chance to thrive with purpose, independence, and connection — and where local businesses embrace inclusive hiring as a way to strengthen their teams and enrich the whole community. 

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Katie Tingle

Co-Founder & Chair of the Board

Katie is a social worker with many years of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and families with diverse social, emotional, and behavioral needs. She was a school social worker at Morton High School and later worked in a therapeutic day school, counseling and mentoring young adults as they prepared for greater independence. As a mother of five, Katie also brings extensive personal experience navigating various school systems and advocating for and supporting her children throughout their educational journeys. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.

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Julie Kras

Co-Founder & Board Member

Julie is an educator with more than 15 years of experience working with children and young adults with diverse learning needs. Her interest in working with adults with disabilities began while working for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) during her college summers. Her career began as a special education teacher in Glenview and later an elementary educator in New York City. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and a master’s degree in Special Education from Loyola University Chicago. She resides in Kenilworth with her husband and three children.

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Jennifer Fritzsche

Board Member

Jennifer is a Managing Director for Mizuho | Greenhill in the Communication Services and Digital Infrastructure Group. Jennifer is recognized as a leading expert in the telecommunications services (wired and wireless) and digital infrastructure (data center, satellite, and tower sectors). She has sat on two public Boards – Wireless Telecom Group (sold in 2023) and currently sits on Dycom Industries Board, where she serves as a member of the Finance and Governance committees. Jennifer is member of the Misericordia Women’s Auxiliary guild, the Chicago Economic Club and The Chicago Network. She and her husband, David have three children and reside in Wilmette. Their son, Tommy, has Down syndrome. Tommy is a 2025 graduate of New Trier and a proud employee of Be Your Best.  He has loved the experience of working in the community that has been so kind and welcoming to him and the Fritzsche family overall.

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Tracy Winslow

Board Member

​Tracy has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Philosophy from Boston College and a Master’s in Finance and Marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Tracy worked as an investment banker for Bank of Montreal, having retired after the birth of her daughter, Kate. Kate was born with cerebral palsy and spent almost the first 100 days of her life in the NICU at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Overnight, Tracy and her husband Ward became tireless advocates for Kate and the broader special needs community. The Winslow family welcomed three boys after Kate and, as a family, the Winslows support and champion multiple special needs organizations, including Misericordia Home, Special Gifts Theatre, Our Place, NSSRA, Keshet and BYB. The Winslows strongly believe in BYB’s mission,  and are so grateful for the opportunities BYB has provided for Kate and to the community as a whole for embracing people with different abilities like Kate. 

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Be Your Best, Inc. is a 501(C) 3 Not-for-profit Organization. Donations are deductible to the fullest Extent of Current Tax Law.

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