Our Board
Mike Nekritz
Founder and Owner of Felicity School and Felicity Educational Services. Mike has thoroughly enjoyed his career in education beginning as a social studies instructor and concluding as superintendent. Mike has worked in Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties and has extensive experience with at-risk and special education students. Mike earned three degrees at Northwestern University and also runs the Felicia Beth Nekritz Foundation that works in support of people stricken by Breast Cancer and youth that have been impacted by a Justice experience.
Karim Khowaja
Karim is a franchisee at Dunkin' Brands, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, and Subway and is responsible for an annual revenue of $80-85M across the country. Karim is also Serving a three-year term on the Governing Council of Advocate Aurora Health system.
Dean Marks
Dean is the Managing Principal at Sterling Bay in Chicago. Dean oversees all strategic aspects of Sterling Bay’s business, including acquisitions, dispositions, lease negotiations, and debt and equity transactions. He serves on the firm’s investment, executive, charitable, and diversity and inclusion committees. Dean earned a BA from Dartmouth College and a JD from Emory University School of Law.
Cathy Ortiz
Comprehensive experience and success directing large-scale, multi-channel and dispersed retail with Food & Beverage operations in fast-paced environments, including some of the world’s busiest and largest airports.
Our Staff & Students
Second Chance Workforce
Our Second Chance Program is part of a national commitment to provide valuable job skills and career opportunities to individuals with a justice experience who often face challenges re-entering the workforce.
We take a holistic approach to preparing individuals to be self-sufficient. It not only provides jobs to returning citizens, victims of abuse and others who face barriers to employment, but also offers a wide range of training, education, mentoring and networking opportunities.
Felicity Education works locally, regionally and nationally to identify non profits working in support of second chances and to provide training and support for those impacted by a justice experience.
K12 Student Workforce
Our Education Program is part of a national commitment to provide valuable job skills and career opportunities to students with special needs who often face challenges entering the workforce.
We take a holistic approach to preparing individuals to be self advocates and trained to enter a competitive job market.
Felicity Education works locally, regionally and nationally to grow wholesale and commissary kitchens to promote Second Chance Employment Opportunities for those with a justice experience and to provide K12 schools and students part time work, training and support that will assist them in gaining employment, post-graduation.