Staff

Frank Butterfield

Director of Springfield Office

Frank joined the organization in 2013 to serve as Landmarks Illinois’ first-ever field officer. As director of the Springfield office, he is the frontline leader for preservation and advocacy issues in communities outside of the Chicago metropolitan region. Prior to joining Landmarks Illinois, Frank was a director/field officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Wisconsin Field Office for three years. He previously held positions with the Roger Brown Study Collection and DePaul University in Chicago. Frank has a bachelor’s of science in chemistry from Boston College and a master’s of science in historic preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Lisa DiChiera

Director of Advocacy

Lisa has been director of advocacy for Landmarks Illinois since 2003. She was the director of Chicago programs from 1994-1997. As director of advocacy, Lisa is on the frontline of all calls for assistance on preservation issues from Landmarks Illinois members as well as the public. Lisa administers the statewide Most Endangered Historic Places program. She also oversees Landmark Illinois’ legislative initiatives. Previously, she held positions with Hines Interests and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lisa received her bachelor’s of art in art and architectural history from UCLA and a master’s of science in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.

Amy Ege

Director of Development & Engagement

Amy Ege joined Landmarks Illinois in 2015. In this role, she is responsible for helping diversify and strengthen the organization’s support base. Since 1999, Amy has worked in Chicago’s not-for-profit sector, helping to advance the missions of several area organizations. She joined the development field in 2006 while at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago and later went on to serve as a development officer for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Navy Pier, Inc. Amy has enjoyed ever-increasing levels of responsibility and established an outstanding track record in institutional and major gifts fundraising. Amy holds a bachelor’s of art in sociology from Albion College and a master’s of science in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She lives on the northwest side of Chicago with her husband and two sons.

Suzanne Germann

Director of Grants & Easements

Suzanne joined Landmarks Illinois’ staff in 2004. She is responsible for managing the Preservation Heritage Fund and Donnelley Preservation Fund grant programs, the preservation easement program and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. In addition, Suzanne supervises the Illinois Restoration Resources Directory. She was previously a preservation planner for the City of Lake Forest, Illinois, and a historian for a local architectural firm. She has a bachelor’s of arts in art history and photography from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a master’s of science in historic preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Thembi Gunn

Office Manager

Thembi Gunn joined Landmarks Illinois in 2018 as the organization’s Office Manager. Thembi is in charge of LI’s administrative duties, working to increase efficiency and offer a helping hand where needed. She works closely with the Landmarks Illinois staff and board on a daily basis. She brings a wide variety of experience to the organization, having worked in both small businesses and with large corporations. Thembi was born and raised in Chicago and is currently working on her Business Management Degree at Harold Washington College with the hopes of one day starting her own nonprofit organization.

Kaitlyn McAvoy

Communications Manager

Kaitlyn joined Landmarks Illinois’ staff in 2016 to help the organization broaden its public profile and tell its story. She manages print and digital communications for Landmarks Illinois, including the quarterly print newsletter, The Arch, maintains and expands the organization’s relationships with members of the media statewide and is in charge of LI’s social media accounts. With a background in journalism, Kaitlyn is passionate about telling stories, specifically stories of extraordinary people and places having a positive impact on our communities. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in Western Wyoming and Southeast Alaska, before returning to her hometown of Chicago to work at a content marketing company. Kaitlyn has a degree in Journalism from Columbia College of Chicago.

Bonnie McDonald

President & CEO

Bonnie joined Landmarks Illinois (LI) as its executive leader in 2012. She has imparted her vision to focus on people as the purpose for historic preservation, which led to the branding of LI’s work as “People saving places. For people.” Bonnie’s collaborative leadership, engaging the board, staff, volunteers and members, has resulted in LI’s exponential growth and increased impact. Since 2012, LI has opened its first regional office, nearly doubled its staff, initiated a preservation revolving fund and new grant programs, passed needed policies and state legislation, all while engaging in on-the-ground advocacy helping people save places that matter to them. Previously, she served as executive director of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and the Anoka County (MN) Historical Society, as well as working previously with Preservation Action in Washington, D.C., the Preservation League of New York State, the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. She serves on the boards of the National Preservation Partners Network, Glessner House Museum, Hegeler Carus Foundation and the Charnley-Perksy House and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago’s Questions Committee, Lambda Alpha International – Ely Chapter and the Arts Club of Chicago. Bonnie has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History (summa cum laude) from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University.

Marija D. Rich

Membership Manager

Marija joined Landmarks Illinois’ staff in 1989. She is responsible for managing Landmarks Illinois’ membership program, annual appeals and Preservation Snapshots lecture series. In addition to her primary duties, she is the organization’s information technology administrator, managing office computers, network, computer consultants and donor software upgrades. Marija has a bachelor’s of art in communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Tiffanie Williams

Events Manager

Tiffanie joined Landmarks Illinois’ staff in 2014. In her role, she manages the planning and production of all Landmarks Illinois events including its largest fundraiser, the Legendary Landmarks Celebration. She is also the staff liaison to the Skyline Council, Landmarks Illinois’ emerging leaders committee. Tiffanie assists the CEO in supporting the needs of board members and collaborates with the director of development and engagement on donor and member cultivation activities. Tiffanie previously worked for the Hill House Association, a social service organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she managed the overall communications and marketing strategy for the organization and served as the primary event planner for HHA’s fundraising events and activities. Tiffanie studied Business Administration at Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA).

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