Colin served in Peace Corps Philippines for two years as a Children Youth and Family Sector Volunteer. He extended for a third year, serving in the Peace Corps Philippines office as a Volunteer Leader. He has traveled around the world teaching music, working in community development, and studying.

Colin has worked in youth development for the Chicago Botanic Garden, and recently returned from studying Climate Change and Global Sustainability with SIT Graduate Institute. He loves cheese, gin, gardening, and travel.  Colin is active in local politics and environmental advocacy.

Joe currently resides in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. After earning his Master of Public Policy degree from Northwestern University in 2022, Joe began working for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In his current role, he helps detained individuals navigate the complexities of the asylum process, and aids asylum officers in the adjudicative process.

During his time in the Peace Corps (2017-2019), Joe worked in the Andean town of Junín, Peru, where he taught environmental leadership alongside the Peruvian National Park Service, and supported educators in the local elementary, middle and high schools. After returning from service, Joe spent over two years working for an advocacy-focused nonprofit in Chicago. When not studying or working, he enjoys reading history books, running along the shores of Lake Michigan, and spending time with his family.

Peace Corps Azerbaijan, 2010-2012

James served in Azerbaijan from 2010-2012 as a Community Economic Development volunteer specialized in micro-finance with emphasis on group farmers and women entrepreneurs. He has been on the CAPCA Board since 2013 and is also on the Board of Career Transitions Center of Chicago, an employment training and placement non-profit. James is currently the CFO for Haymarket Center,  Chicago's largest substance use and mental health treatment center. 

Prior to Haymarket, James was the Chief Accounting Officer for Heartland alliance, an international non-profit in Chicago focused on ending poverty. James' background is in public accounting with a CPA and an MBA from Loyola University.  

Julie served In Nepal as a science teacher at an all-girls elementary school.  Serving in the Peace Corps has always been her dream and she plans to go back into service once she retires. Since returning from the Peace Corps, she has taught English in Korea, owned a business in Chicago for 17 years, flew as a flight attendant for Jetblue, and is a licensed Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices. She currently serves her community as the Deputy Assessor helping taxpayers with property tax issues and is also the president of her daughter’s Parent Teacher Association. During her free time, she loves to create art through sewing, baking, and pottery, travel as often as she can, and stay active cycling and snowboarding.

El Salvador: 2011-2013

Andrew has served on the board since 2019, and has served as president since January 2020.

He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois/Illinois State University with a Master's Degree focused on Community and Economic Development. He works currently as a Project Manager at watchLAB Market Research.

He is a die-hard Chicago sports fan, a lover of all things food-related, and a dedicated cat stepdad to Icarus and his girlfriend, Chris.

Leslie Alvarez served as a TEFL Volunteer in Ecuador from 2016-2018. She led multiple G.LO.W. camps around Ecuador and facilitated training for PCVs. Leslie is working in People and Culture and is also a co-founder with her twin sister of Twinning Tutors, an online English language tutoring company. Leslie is originally from South Florida but is happy to call Chicago her home - even during winter. Leslie is a lover of books, food, and travel. She is also a dog momma to Heidy, the sassiest of all chihuahua mixes.

Peace Corps India 1969-1972

Chuck served in Peace Corps 84 India from 1969-1972. He stayed an extra year to finish agricultural work with the farmers of his village and he had some amazing friends that he just couldn’t leave yet. He now goes back to his village in Rajasthan, India practically every 5 years to reunite with friends and develop numerous projects with the government school there.

He has been the Service Learning Coordinator at North Shore Academy, an alternative school (k-12) in Highland Park for 18 years.  

Chuck is also a tennis and racquetball professional for the past 40 years and he ran clubs and taught both sports before starting his second career in teaching school.

He graduated University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana in Sociology. He was going to attend Northwestern University for graduate work but chose the Peace Corps instead and…... that is history.

He is married to Cary with 4 children (Brad, Holden, Dean, Mariana) and a granddaughter (Camilla)

Peace Corps Zambia, 2009-2011

Peace Corps Response Burkina Faso, 2016-2017

Meera served on the board of the Milwaukee Peace Corps Association after returning from Zambia and moving to Milwaukee, and is thrilled to be back in  Chicago and involved again in the Peace Corps community. 

From Megan's board application:
 

When my husband and I moved to Chicago after our service (Honduras 2010-2012), the number one form of support we found was CAPCA. It was through CAPCA and RPCVs that we found jobs, friends, and community. I've participated in many CAPCA events over the years, and now I'd like to contribute to that support network for others.

Clare is a lifelong Chicago resident, outside of her years at the University of Illinois- Champaign for undergraduate studies and two years as an Environmental Volunteer in the Chiriqui Highlands of Panama (2018-2020).

She currently works as an environmental scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, collaborating on Clean Water Act programs with the states and tribal nations of the Great Lakes region. 

Ryan Belville is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from East Timor (2004-2006). Ryan has been an educator in Chicago Public Schools for 15 years and an administrator at McAuliffe Elementary School since 2012. He serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA) and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Illinois State University.  

Bobbie served as a Community & Youth Development volunteer supporting 2 NGOs, thinking it would be a good opportunity to finally "study abroad". Her career includes working for both for- and nonprofit organizations, and currently is a senior administrative assistant at Mercer in Health & Benefits.

Bobbie graduated from DePaul University with a BS in PE and elementary education. She has two sons (1 local and 1 in Atlanta), and 2 grandsons.

Brian is currently serving on the CAPCA board and supports the RPCV community in the Chicago Area
after returning from Mali over 30 years ago. He coordinates the annual ski trip, softball team, and
camping trips. He has many other third goal experiences and wants to share those with current and
newly returned RPCVs.
Brian is a full-time Human Resources Professional, graduated with a Masters from DePaul University,
and is certified in business skills.
Brian enjoys playing Culture Shocks softball, bike riding, cross-country skiing, eating unique foods with
RPCVs, and bowling on a men’s league!