leadership

Joan Pikas
Joan Pikas, co-founder of Bright Endeavors, has been a pioneer in the social enterprise market in Chicago since founding The Enterprising Kitchen in 1995. Ms. Pikas served in many roles between 1995 and 2007 including program manager, executive director and member of the board of directors. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the Chicago community.

Prior to creating The Enterprising Kitchen, Ms. Pikas has worked for the Illinois Department of Mental Health as a teacher-therapist and program supervisor. With a partner, she created and managed a mail order educational software company for several years. She has taught in the adult literacy program at Evanston Township High School. She has served as board member for a number of organizations including The Pathways School and Treatment Center and Christopher House. Ms. Pikas holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in education with a minor in sociology.

Stephanie Wernet
Before co-founding Bright Endeavors, Stephanie Wernet was vice president of programs and social enterprise for The Cara Program. Ms. Wernet served in a variety of roles during her eight-year tenor with The Cara Program including director of corporate accounts and client support, manager and liaison for a Chicago Housing Authority pilot program and regular presenter for The Chicago Jobs Council workforce development forums. Ms. Wernet has been a consultant for Public Private Private Ventures/Working Ventures since 2002, a national policy and workforce development organization and has traveled nationally to consult with other non-profits in the areas of workforce development, social service development and financial self-sufficiency programs.

Prior to entering the social service and workforce development field, Ms. Wernet spent eight years working for Marriott Hotel brand products serving in areas such as property operations, sales, human resources and recruiting. She holds an undergraduate degree in communication design from Ray Vogue College of Design in Chicago.