Welcome Our New Compass for Kids Board Members

Bala Ramaraju
Bala is a longtime member of the Compass for Kids family, having served as a volunteer, food packer, camp counselor, and team member with several Compass programs, including Camp Compass, Club Compass, and Camp Care-A-Lot. Through these experiences, Bala has seen firsthand the meaningful role Compass plays in the lives of local children and families and describes the program as foundational to our community.

Bala currently serves as the Program Coordinator for Research and Scholarly Activity in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the SIU School of Medicine and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with plans to continue her education in medicine. She brings experience in research, community engagement, fundraising, marketing, and public speaking, and is excited to continue supporting the Compass mission as a member of the Board of Directors.

Jordan Powell
Jordan serves as Senior Vice President at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, where he works with hospitals across the state, hospital leaders, and government partners. With nearly two decades of experience in health care, Jordan brings valuable expertise in leadership, finance, relationship-building, and advocacy to the Compass for Kids Board of Directors.

Jordan’s passion for serving others is deeply personal, shaped by his family’s experiences navigating serious health challenges and his belief in ensuring people have access to the support they need. A Springfield resident since childhood, Jordan is committed to investing in the next generation and believes strongly in the importance of mentorship and creating opportunities for young people to succeed.

Jordan is excited to use his professional experience, community connections, and passion for helping children and families to support the continued growth of Compass for Kids.

Jessica Derhake
Jessica is the founder of JD Haley People Strategies and brings extensive experience in employee training, professional development, policy, employee relations, and trauma-informed leadership. Her professional work, along with her personal experiences, has shaped her passion for creating supportive environments where people have the opportunity to succeed.

As a former foster child, Jessica has a deep understanding of the importance of access, support, and strong community connections for children and families. Her own journey, combined with her work in trauma mitigation and trauma-informed practices, fuels her belief in the mission of Compass for Kids and her desire to help expand opportunities for local youth.

Jessica is excited to bring her experience, perspective, and passion for serving children and families to the Compass for Kids Board of Directors. She is also the author and illustrator of Goodbye Starlight, a children’s book created as a resource to help children navigate grief.

Jon Erickson
Jon serves as Springfield Market President for Clock Tower Community Bank. A longtime champion for Compass for Kids, he has supported the organization’s mission not only through his community leadership but by investing his time in local volunteer opportunities and enrichment activities. His commitment to making a difference in the lives of children reflects his belief in the power of mentorship and meaningful connections.

Jon brings extensive experience in community leadership along with expertise in finance, governance, and relationship-building. A Springfield-area resident since 2010, Jon is honored to continue serving the Compass Kids mission as a member of the Board of Directors.