Germain has been with Boys & Girls Club of Lake County since June 2022 and became CEO in November of 2023. He started at the Club as the Development Director and transitioned into COO soon afterwards. He is committed to ensuring equity, access, and opportunities for all young people and families in Lake County where he oversees eight Clubs serving over 800 children per year. In his role, he leads an ambitious strategic plan to increase the organization's impact and the number of children helped through BGCLC's critical after-school programs through building new, impactful programming, deepening our partnerships and collaborations, and positioning BGCLC as the leading youth development organization in the region.



Germain's roots are deeply intertwined with the Lake County community, having grown up in the same neighborhood as our Genesee site. Today, he is not only serving but also raising his own family in Waukegan, a testament to his profound understanding of the needs of the students we are privileged to serve.

Prior to joining BGCLC, he served as Executive Director of Beacon Place, overseeing operations, programming, fundraising, special events, and community relations. He has been a leader and changemaker within the Waukegan community for the past 18 years in various roles, including Nonprofit Board Member, Library Trustee, Community Organizer, Educator, Mentor, and Program Director. He led the SHINE program at Waukegan High School and was recognized by the White House in 2014 for being a "Champion of Change" in his community.

Germain holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from DePaul University. He is Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Tania has been a part of the team since  April 2023. At BGCLC, she spearheads the development and communications strategy by leveraging partnerships, sponsorships, strategic campaigns, and special events.

Tania brings over 20 years of corporate communications and nonprofit marketing and development experience to the organization. After spending the first few years of her career at AT&T and then taking a small break to raise her children, Tania discovered her passion for helping nonprofits fulfill their missions. She has helped raise almost $1M for grassroots organizations through creating community and gaining new supporters via impact storytelling, creative ideas, and people-focused strategies at agencies including the U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance, Beacon Place, Riverside Foundation, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

She currently serves on the Riverside Foundation Women’s Board.

She has an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago and Bachelor's degree in Business from Northwestern State University. She is Bilingual (English/Spanish).

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.