WFF Staff

Zachary Korotko
Executive Director

Zachary has worked for youth-focused nonprofits across the country for over 20 years. He began his career as a special education teacher and since that time he has designed, managed and led programming for community arts agencies, after-school programs, mental health facilities and human services providers. For the past two and half years, Zach has led the capacity building and nonprofit education programs for Donors Forum, the statewide association of nonprofits and grantmakers.

Zach knew early on that he enjoyed helping people. He was born and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago and began volunteering with nonprofits while in high school. While attending Princeton University, Zach spent several summers leading kids from nearby Trenton, New Jersey on camping trips with the university's outdoor education program.

Upon graduating with a BA in developmental psychology, Zach moved to Northern California where he began teaching. After several moves within California, Zach picked up and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana at the turn of the new century. It was here that Zach met his future wife, and they both returned to his hometown just before Katrina struck in 2005.

Since returning to Chicago and settling in Humboldt Park, Zach has worked for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Christopher House and Donors Forum as well as several smaller organizations. He has two sons with whom he enjoys making art and riding the CTA. He and his wife are active volunteers and enjoy showing their sons the vast array of cultural and artistic activities in Chicago.

Alex Scheidemantel
Program Manager

Alex graduated with a bachelors degree in communication studies from DePaul University. While in school, Alex served as a sports anchor for Good Day DePaul, volunteered through nonprofit courses and completed several internships in sales, fashion and nonprofit institutions. Throughout college her passion for intercultural courses led her to study abroad in Athens, Greece, a period she will claim to be perhaps the most exciting thus far!

In the summer of 2012, she began volunteering for the Wood Family Foundation. While working alongside such a genuine family, Alex pursued a more permanent position with the foundation. Since her start in August 2012, Alex enjoys writing the monthly newsletter, maintaining social media accounts and collaborating with foundation supporters to aid program and event management. In Alex's free time you can find her reading and exploring new parts of the city.