The Boys & Girls Club of Lake County is pleased to announce that Andrya S. Pearson has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Andrya has served as a dedicated member of the BGCLC Board of Directors for several years and brings a deep understanding of our mission, programs, and community impact. We look forward to her leadership during this transitional period as we continue creating meaningful opportunities for the young people we serve.
Jim Westfall is the new Chief Operating Officer at BGCLC, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for youth development. Jim will oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring all programs run smoothly and effectively. He will work closely with staff to develop and implement strategies that enhance the club’s mission of empowering youth. Jim’s role is crucial in maintaining a high standard of excellence and ensuring that every child at BGCLC receives the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
With a career spanning over 15 years at the Boy Scouts of America, Jim has dedicated himself to fostering growth and excellence in every role he has undertaken. Most recently, Jim served as the CEO/Scout Executive at Crater Lake Council in Oregon, where he led with a focus on administration and talent management for over five years. His leadership style is rooted in genuinely caring for his team and the youth they serve.
Before this, Jim was the Assistant Scout Executive at the Northeast Illinois Council, where he oversaw administration and talent management for over four years. His earlier roles include Field Director, where he managed staff and programs serving 4,000 youth, and District Director, where he excelled in fundraising and volunteer development.
Jim holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa.
Krystina joined our team in March 2024. As the Chief of Staff, she will be a critical part of the team orchestrating strategic initiatives and fostering operational excellence, ensuring that BGCLC operates seamlessly in fulfilling mission-driven goals. Additionally, Krystina will champion the development of policies that uphold ethical practices and support staff well-being.
Krystina most recently spearheaded efforts to bolster student success at Waukegan to College, where she fostered collaboration among diverse stakeholders and aided in program expansion. Before that, she was based in Oakland, CA, overseeing college and career programs for various Bay Area nonprofits.
As a native of Lake County, Illinois, daughter of Mexican parents, and a first-generation college graduate, Krystina is driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in under-resourced communities. She is passionate about leveraging expertise to drive organizational success and create meaningful impact.
Krystina holds a BS in Psychology and Latina/Latino Studies from the University of Illinois.
JP has been a part of the BGCLC team since August 2023. In his role, he spearheads the development, planning, and evaluation of our youth development programs, leveraging the power of data to ensure the highest standards of program excellence across all BGCLC sites.
JP brings a wealth of experience, spanning over 15 years of dedicated service working with youth and young adults from a diverse array of communities and age groups. His career journey has been a tapestry of roles that have molded him into the dynamic professional he is today. From being a High School Coach and a PE Teacher Assistant to serving as an Afterschool Program Associate, Building Substitute Teacher, Community School Coordinator, Case Worker, and ultimately a Director, JP's trajectory reflects a profound commitment to nurturing young lives.
JP holds a Professional Master of Art in Social Innovation, Community Organizing and Education and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies, Education Leadership both from Grand Valley State University. He also earned a DEI Foundations & Inclusive Workplace Certificate from Miami University (OH).
Chef Robert Collins is a graduate of Robert Morris University, a retired Navy veteran, and a culinary professional with more than 32 years of food service experience spanning both military and civilian sectors. He is the founder of Youthage Culinary Specialist, a nonprofit culinary school dedicated to creating hands-on cooking experiences for students of all ages and abilities.
After witnessing the direct connection between diet, health, and diabetes management, Chef Robert felt called to help young people understand the importance of healthy ingredients and how to prepare them. His vision is to provide students with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from culinary experts while gaining practical life skills.
Through fun, interactive lessons, Chef Robert emphasizes nutrition, culinary techniques, and career development, while also helping students build leadership skills, develop organizational habits, and lay the foundation for healthier lifestyle choices. Whether introducing a new recipe or teaching confidence in the kitchen, he is passionate about inspiring the next generation to grow through food.
Avant'e London is a nonprofit executive and program leader with over a decade of experience in youth development, including eight years in the Boys & Girls Club movement. He currently serves as Director of Programs at BGCLC, where he oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs advancing the four pillars of Health & Wellbeing, Character & Leadership, Academic Success, and Life & Workforce Readiness across multiple Club sites.
Avant'e brings both frontline and executive leadership experience, having served in C-suite roles that shaped organizational sustainability and growth. He is recognized for setting clear vision and strategy, aligning curriculum with grant requirements, ensuring compliance and quality outcomes, and representing program priorities at the executive level. His expertise includes cultivating partnerships that sustain funding streams and enrich programming.
Throughout his career, Avant'e has launched innovative initiatives such as cross-country college tours, study abroad opportunities, and workforce development pathways. Known as a connector and relationship builder, he works closely with schools, funders, and community stakeholders to ensure programs remain both impactful for youth and sustainable for the organization.