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Our Mission
To Help Nonprofits Do Good - Better
Our Belief
Everyone Should Have Access To The Help They Need.
Universal Access
Engagement
Impact
Global access to proven nonprofit and school programs from any internet connected device via our iOS, Android and Web App Suite.
Increase the number and frequency of high quality interactions to increase skills development and adoption of desired behaviors and habits.
Digitize nonprofit program delivery to virtually extend reach and scale impact.
Strategic Intent
To provide universal access to proven life-changing nonprofit programs.
Our Team
Our experienced and innovative team believes that nonprofits are changing the world. Together, we are building a collaborative network of nonprofits and life-empowering services accessible by anyone, anywhere.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Helen Keller
Executive Team
Andre Hughes
Founder & Servant, Powered by Action
Andre Hughes is a retired Global Managing Partner at Accenture. During his nearly 25 years with Accenture, Andre founded and grew two billion-dollar businesses and led the company's human capital, inclusion and diversity, and corporate citizenship program.
Andre holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He serves on the boards of the Chicago Urban League, Purdue University's Krannert School of Management - Business Opportunity Program, the Presidential Council for Economic Growth and Development in Haiti and LeaderShape. Andre lives in the Chicago area with his wife and two children.
Bjorn Jensen, Ph. D.
Chief of Staff
Bjorn has a specific background and experience in driving online community engagement through hands-on assistance and research. Bjorn believes all nonprofits can capitalize on the rise in civic engagement by leveraging innovative online technologies to solve society’s toughest problems. Likewise, he believes that increasing the frequency and number of interactions between nonprofits and the people they serve can triple knowledge and behavior changes sought.
Bjorn received his Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and Open Digital Innovation from The Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University and his MSc in Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.
Ryan Spencer
Customer Success Lead
Ryan is passionate about helping other people do their very best. At PbA, she makes sure that our customers fulfill the goals they set themselves by using the platform's powers to their fullest.
Ryan graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2017 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in International Studies. She worked in the corporate insurance industry before transitioning to a role that will allow her to pursue her commitment to understanding the social impact of technology, and issues affecting upward mobility.
She is actively engaged in Chicago’s civic technology community at the Chi Hack Night organization as a volunteer co-host and created a soft skills workshop at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center for the Little Black Pearl nonprofit organization. She is a native of Fort Worth, Texas.
Susanne Vasilic
Susanne Vasilic
Director, PbA for schools
Susanne Vasilic has taught in Chicago for fifteen years and believes that education can empower youth to reach their full potential. She has previously taught in the virtual hybrid teaching environment and is no stranger to technology. She earned a Master's of Science in Curriculum Adaptation at Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Illinois at Chicago.
She has shared her ed tech experience at national conferences including the University of Wisconsin Madison Distance Teaching and Learning Conference and at the 2014 iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium. She is also a member of the International Society for Technology in Education. Susanne lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.
Kiran Malik
Director, PbA for nonprofits
Kiran has always had a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector. Her experience has provided her an appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life, one program at a time. She advocates for solutions that drive dignity and financial stability that lead to growth. Prior to joining PbA, Kiran worked as a SAP Security Administrator in healthcare and manufacturing. She has earned her BA from the University of Chicago in Illinois.
Kiran is still actively serving nonprofits in the Chicagoland area building relationships aimed at generating solutions for the community. She serves as an administrator and sits on the board of a local nonprofit weekend school, where she supports development of programs and training that provide students a hands-on approach to practicing character strengthening skills. Her transition to PbA has further fortified her belief that through a strong network of social organizations, there is an increased probability to unleash positive social change by making the knowledge, expertise, and resources of an organization and its trusted community available and accessible to everybody.
Sandy Pagán, MD, MPA
Director, PbA for health charities
Sandy Pagán is a Family Medicine doctor with a passion for storytelling and social impact. She believes that storytelling has the power to move people to action. Over the past decade, she’s grown a successful career as a media executive and television producer, creating, producing, and selling documentary television series to cable networks like A&E, History, and Fox Business Network.
While practicing medicine, Sandy saw a need for a humanistic approach to patient care and experienced the social disparities in our health system. Today, she uses her storytelling, health, and nonprofit backgrounds to help healthcare organizations and nonprofits make positive change in our communities.
Prior to her career in media, Sandy impacted national healthcare reform as a healthcare consultant, working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Congressional Black Caucus. Sandy holds a BA from Princeton University in Molecular Biology, an MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine, and an MPA in Health Policy and Management from New York University. She trained as a Family Medicine physician with Northwestern University’s Family Medicine Residency Program and attended film school at DePaul University.
Mark A. Olivo
CPA
Mark A. Olivo, CPA has been providing 20 years of business and individual tax planning and consulting services to his clients. His expertise includes tax return preparation and review for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and exempt organizations.
Mark is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois State University in 1997, and was granted a CPA certification by the State of Illinois in February 2001. He lives in Chicago with his wife, and is an avid Cubs fan.