Welcome to Grow Wellness Foundation, NFP

Board President

Kimberly Spayer has been a life-long professional fundraiser for many  organizations locally, regionally and nationally.  In various roles, she has been responsible for organization implementation of programs  supporting the mission(s) for not-for-profit organizations and has developed and implemented fundraising strategies to support the mission and growth of Not-For-Profits. 

Her education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Speech Communications, Radio and Television.  She has a master’s level education from Columbia College in Arts Education, Media Management – specializing in non-profit management.

The mission of the Grow Wellness Foundation is especially important to her, as she ”firmly believes individuals and communities need quality mental health support systems in order to thrive.” She is passionate about addressing this need and helping to reduce the stigma attached to seeking help in this area.

She is  currently the Executive Director of the Student Excellence Foundation for the Wheaton-Warrenville School District CUSD200.

She is a professional member of the West Suburban Philanthropic Network and the National Association of Educational Foundations. 

She loves time spent with family. She is an avid reader and enjoys being a member of several book clubs, she love the arts and is member of a women’s choral group. In addition, she enjoys working out, water sports and playing pickle ball.

Board Member

Jeff Gross is a Software Developer, Scouter, Singer, and Volunteer.   He has worked for large and small companies having earned a BS in Computer Science from Northern Illinois and a MS in Information Science from North Central College.   His passion for giving back started with church and scouts as a youth in Moline.   Upon arriving in Naperville, he got started with NARC, Naperville Area Recycling Center that created the first Curbside Recycling program in the United States.   He started Troop 101 currently chartered at the Community Christian Church.  Jeff’s passions are for technology, art, mentoring.   He weaves these topics together wanting to see society become more efficient in the use of resource making it possible for everyone to have a better quality of life.

Board Member

Mary Morrissey is an experienced and accomplished legal administrator with over 25 years of expertise in managing law firm operations, human resources, and staff development. She brings a unique blend of professional acumen and community dedication, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence in every role she undertakes.  Mary lives in Naperville with her Husband Brad McGuire and is the proud grandmother of two children. 

Board Member

Zac Larson is a Founding Partner and Wealth Advisor at IntentGen Financial Partners.  He has invested time and energy for over two decades to grow a company that positively impacts the community by delivering exceptional value to clients, creating growth opportunities for employees, and generously supporting local organizations.  IntentGen’s purposeful approach to financial planning, asset management, and community engagement enables them to live out their mission of empowering people to live intentionally and generously.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Zac finds fulfillment in his role as a husband to Kristin, whom he married in 2003, and as a father to their four teenage sons.  He actively engages in his community by serving on non-profit boards and coaching his sons’ basketball teams.  He actively enjoys life through golf, scuba, cycling, and sports with family and friends. 

Co-Executive Director

BA Western Illinois University, MSeD Northern Illinois University. I have spent two decades in the mental health field both in community agencies, EAP's and private practice. I also have been an entrepreneur with my own sales organization for almost 40 years. 

I have been a member of multiple boards including NCTV-17, Loaves and Fishes Community services, The Rotary Club of Naperville, Project Help and Naperville Rotary Charities. I am passionate about GWF because the need for support, connection and healing is so great in our community. It is impossible to not see what the need is and NOT do something, anything to help alleviate suffering.I am married to my soulmate for forty years and we have two grown sons and 5.5 grandchildren. For fun I like to cook, entertain, read and hike!

Co-Executive Director

Adam Ratner is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Grow Wellness Foundation.

Due to Adam's long-standing commitment to improving the quality life for others, Adam chose to make a major professional transition from business strategy consulting and brand management for Fortune 500 companies into the helping profession. The Grow Wellness Foundation, which provides pro-bono, reduced fee and grant funded mental wellness services in the form of therapy and comprehensive mental wellness services to organizations, individuals and families in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, has been an aspiration for Adam since living in the corporate world - to make a positive difference among those individuals and families who lack access to care due a myriad of constraints. This aspiration has become reality as the Foundation has achieved impactful results in a variety of settings since our inception, and have exceptional momentum with much more to come. Adam believes this is due to the exemplary skills of their service providers, community partner relationships, as well as the strength and competencies of the Board of Directors.

In terms of business background, Adam has management and strategy consulting and brand/portfolio management experience, working in the CPG, Technology, Healthcare, Transportation and Insurance industries. As a Management Consultant, he worked with large and mid-sized companies in business strategy creation, strategy implementation, and project management. In addition, as a result of his many roles in Brand Management, Adam has experience in managing new product / services development, product / service marketing, and geographic expansion. 

Adam received his MBA from the Gies School of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, his MSW from Aurora University, and his BA in Economics and Management from DePauw University.

Board Member

Brian Bolliger is a project manager consultant with PMAlliance working with clients across the bio-tech, manufacturing, transportation, insurance, and IT/finance industries. Prior to PMAlliance, Brian worked as a Marketing Director, Global Sales Manager, Senior Systems Engineering, Senior Consultant, and CIO. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University, a Master degree in Computer Science from IIT, and a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from DeVry University. Brian also holds the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification.

Brian resides in Naperville, IL. With his wife Nancy and is the proud father of two grown sons. Outside of work, he is active in area philanthropic organizations and is a media volunteer at church. Previously serving on the board of Loaves & Fishes Community Services.  He is excited to be part of Grow Wellness Foundation and its potential to improve lives.

Board Member

Bill Eagan is a CPA with over 25 years of financial management and CPA firm experience.  Bill has held positions from a Governmental CFO to a Manufacturing Controller for a Fortune 500 company allowing Bill to take a holistic approach to a company’s financial performance.  In addition to his expertise in tax planning and compliance, his background comes in handy when working with our clients on strategic financial planning, financial risk mitigation, and assessing the health of a company.

Board Member

Faith Dahlquist is a retired public school administrator.  During her career as principal and associate superintendent, she helped lead three large Illinois Suburban school districts to improve in their capacity to provide better academic and mental support and instruction to students.  She has a passion for making connections between people and organizations to better support individuals and the community in tackling the obstacles to better mental health.

Board Member

Mike Hazelhurst has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tiffin University. He is an assistant vice president of business banking at Naperville Bank & Trust. He received an All-American Honorable Mention while playing baseball at Elgin Community College. Mike and his wife, Devan, live in Batavia with their dog, Tucker. In his spare time, Mike is a volleyball coach at Club Fusion and also enjoys playing in volleyball tournaments.

Grow Wellness Group Representative

Dave is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has extensive experience helping clients  navigate a broad spectrum of challenges. Dave’s professional journey includes working in a variety of settings including private practice, residential treatment facilities, inpatient  hospitals, and community mental health. In addition to working with clients, Dave also oversees both the Clinical Internship Program and Sport Psychology Program at GWG. He is deeply passionate about program development and community impact. In his free time,  Dave is a passionate sports fan, enjoys traveling the world, and loves  spending time with his two pups Woodford and Winston.

Grow Wellness Group Representative

Courtney Kuhns, LCPC/CADC

-System/Institutional-based mental healthcare, home-based mental healthcare, private practice mental healthcare and wellness

-B.A. Psychology and minor in Gender & Women's Studies, M.A. in Psychology, and M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

-History of working for non-profit organizations in the field of mental healthcare, from inpatient/hospital treatment to outpatient programming and home-based mental health services.

-Having experience working in various mental health settings, I have witnessed the need for easier access to mental wellness services in our communities.  To me, mental wellness treatment should be a basic human right; easy to access, affordable, and welcoming.  GWF inspired me to be a part of something that attempts to address larger systemic issues related to stigma, access, and passion for the developing the field of mental health work and services. 

-Working for GWG, I have been fortunate to participate in community sponsored events to support their missions and promote mental wellness (ie. DuPage Children's Museum Adaptive Play Night, Naperville Rotary Club events, May Watts Fun Run, Step Up for Little Friends Walk) 

-IMHCA, IAODAPCA

-I enjoy spending time with my dog and two cats, visiting family and friends from PA, crafting, painting, reading

Grow Wellness Group Representative

Laurie has a professional background rooted in mental health and human resources, bringing a unique blend of compassion, practical expertise, and advocacy to the Grow Wellness Foundation. With years of experience supporting individuals in need, Laurie is passionate about breaking down barriers to mental wellness and ensuring everyone has access to essential services. Outside of her work with the Foundation, she enjoys traveling with her husband and friends and devotes her time to caring for her three beloved large-breed rescue dogs.