Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness announced today the addition of two new members to the organization’s Senior Leadership Team. Katie Lewis, who most recently directed Bike MS fundraising campaigns across three states for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, has been named Vice President of Development. Graciela Guzmán, who most recently directed the Healthy Illinois Campaign to key victories that made Illinois the first state to expand healthcare to low-income seniors regardless of their immigration status and then to older adults 55 and over, will serve as Director of Policy and Advocacy.
“This is a critical time for Aunt Martha’s. Katie and Graciela understand that they are coming into our organization at a time of tremendous opportunity,” said Raul Garza, the agency’s President and CEO.
“Their perspective and experience will be instrumental as we adapt not only to evolving social, political and philanthropic landscapes but, more importantly, as we respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”
Garza also announced the hiring of Jaskiran Kaur as his Executive Administrative Assistant. Before coming to Aunt Martha’s, Jaskiran served as an Administrative Assistant for a 30-physician team at The Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, a role she took on while completing her undergraduate coursework at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.
Meet Katie Lewis
Katie Lewis is Aunt Martha’s Vice President of Development.
Her professional background includes media relations, as well as logistics in music and events management in both the for-profit and non-profit space. Since earning her Masters in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University, however, she has pursued full-time her passion for nonprofit fundraising and strategy, particularly on behalf of organizations focused on health care access, advocacy and equity.
Katie’s experience includes roles with national organizations such as the USO, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer/Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and the National MS Society.
Meet Graciela Guzmán
Graciela Guzmán is Aunt Martha’s Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Before joining Aunt Martha’s, Graciela served as Campaign Director for the Healthy Illinois Campaign, a statewide coalition committed to fighting for healthcare for all people in Illinois regardless of their immigration status. Under her leadership, Healthy Illinois won two key victories making Illinois the first state in the nation to expand healthcare to low-income seniors regardless of their immigration status and then to older adults 55 and over. She has also lead advocacy and policy campaigns on topics ranging from defending the Affordable Care Act from repeal, efforts to increase community enrollment in Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace, and mobilizing community leaders response to COVID through mutual aid.
Graciela’s passion for healthcare, community, and helping others is derived from her family’s early experiences immigrating to the United States from El Salvador to escape the Salvadoran Civil War and her experiences navigating services as a multi-immigration status family on public benefits.
