As Director of Strategic Initiatives, John works to develop programs and partnerships that take Rocky Ridge in exciting new directions and help build long-term sustainability. Prior to joining RRMC, he spent over fifteen years as a researcher at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, where he worked on projects partnering with federal, state, and local government to improve child well-being through effective social services. During this period, he studied classical guitar with Brian Torosian at DePaul University and music theory with Gerald Rizzer at the Sherwood Conservatory. Deeply interested in the development of human potential through the arts, John also worked as program director at the Children’s Center for Arts and Learning in Denver, managing arts enrichment and academic tutoring services for elementary school students.