David M. McGowan, CFRE, President

Dave McGowan, CFRE, has been the chief staff officer of The DuPage Community Foundation in Wheaton for nearly 14 years.  He started as its Executive Director and was named president in 2003.

Dave became a certified fundraising executive in 1987.  He has more than 30 years of fundraising, grantmaking and not-for-profit management experience in the Chicago metropolitan area.

In his current role, Dave helps area donors and their advisors accomplish philanthropic objectives.  He focuses on outright and deferred gifts of appreciated property from individuals and on demonstrating the lasting contributions of endowed funds.

Dave graduated cum laude in marketing and journalism from Northern Illinois University and has a master of science in management and development of human resources from National-Louis University.

He grew up in Downers Grove and has lived in Wheaton, Glendale Heights and Bloomingdale and now lives in Winfield with his wife, Mary.  They have three children either in college or living in the area.  He is the third generation of his family to live in DuPage County.

Dave is the recipient of the 2009 West Suburban Philanthropic Network Distinguished Service Award.



Cindy A. Adams, Director of Finance and Administration

Cindy Adams has been with the Foundation since January 2004 and was promoted to director of finance and administration in 2008.  In this role she is responsible for overseeing the financial administration of the Foundation's funds, support of the president, Board and various committees, and office administration.

Before starting at the Foundation, Cindy worked as the office manager for Armbrust Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in Wheaton.  She has past not-for-profit experience with the United Way of South DuPage where she worked as the executive secretary and with the United Way of Suburban Chicago where she worked as a staff accountant.

Cindy is a life-long resident of DuPage County and has lived in Wheaton for 21 years with her daughter.









Meg Cavanaugh, Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant

Meg joined the Foundation in August, 2010.  In her current role, she will provide clerical support to all departments as bookkeeper and administrative assistant.  She is responsible for assisting in financial and administrative tasks as well as general office support.  Meg will report to the Foundation director of finance and administration.

In addition to raising a family full time, she has an extensive background of volunteering in the local community and the school district.  Meg has experienced firsthand the positive impact of local not-for-profits have on the community as a volunteer for the People's Resource Center in Wheaton.  She is delighted to be back in the workforce in a more permanent role.

Meg graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Marketing.  Previously, she has worked as the office manager for Nahser Advertising and most recently as a relationship associate for The Northern Trust Company.  Meg and her husband have three children.  They have lived in DuPage County for more than 15 years and currently reside in Wheaton.




Jessica C. Daley, Program and Communications Manager

Jessica has worked for the Foundation during breaks from college since 2005.  She began working full-time at the Foundation in October 2008 as the associate grants coordinator.  In her new role as program and communications manager, she is responsible for the Foundation's scholarship program, assisting the director of grants in administering the Foundation's various grant and other program related activities, and for the successful implementation of the Foundation's marketing strategies.

Jessica graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania in May 2008 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and English.  While attending Villanova, she participate in two overseas study programs at Cambridge University in the UK and the National University of Ireland Galway.  She was also a member of both the Economics Club and International Economics Society.

Jessica has worked as a tutor for SCORE! Educational Centers and served as a volunteer for the DuPage Historical Museum, Special Olympics and St. Thomas of Villanova Church.  She currently lives in Carol Stream.





Jeffery J. Hartman, Director of Development

Jeff joined the Foundation in November 2009 as manager of development.  In his current role, he works directly with the President, Development Committee and Board of Trustees to plan and implement successful fund development and marketing strategies focused on growing the Foundation's endowment and increasing its visibility throughout the community.

Jeff graduated from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights with a Bachelor of Arts in Church and Ministry Leadership and Theology.  He has also completed various post-graduate courses and seminars at the Institute for Youth Ministries at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jeff served the Elmhurst community as center director for SCORE! Education Centers.  At SCORE!, Jeff directed the business to key metrics including sales growth, revenue, academic excellence and expense management.  He also served on teh staff of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville as the director of youth ministries.  Jeff enjoys volunteering his time to local not-for-profits including various Habitat for Humanity affiliates and Hesed House in Aurora.

Jeff lived in Naperville for 22 years and recently moved to Yorkville where he currently resides with his wife, Erin, and daughter.




Barbara S. Szczepaniak, Director of Programs

As director of programs, Barb Szczepaniak is responsible for providing oversight for all Foundation grant programs, working with the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Grant Committee and staff to develop and implement initiatives aimed at raising the quality of life for DuPage residents, and building and maintaining effective partnerships with the community's not-for-profits.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Barb served as executive director of the Elmhurst School District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence for 11 years.  There she managed the Foundation's grants program and worked collaboratively with its program committee, board and others to accomplish the Foundation's development and grantmaking activities, increase its visibility throughout Elmhurst, foster strategic partnerships and ensure its overall success.

In addition to her not-for-profit background, Barb possesses several years of experience in the human resources field.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications and a minor in Public Relations from Illinois State University.  Barb is a life-long resident of DuPage County, and currently lives in Elmhurst with her husband, George, and their three children.