Our Senior Management Team

President/CEO

Gilbert Fonger

Gilbert Fonger joined Marklund in February, 2011, as president and chief executive officer, after serving for more than 20 years in a number of positions in the nonprofit field. As chief development officer at Little City Foundation in Palatine, he oversaw all fundraising, marketing, communications and business development. Prior to Little City, he held various executive positions with the YMCA of Metro Chicago, and served as a pastor for more than 10 years. He had also served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

A Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Fonger earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern in 2006. He also holds a master’s degree from Duke University and an undergraduate degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He was awarded the certified fundraising executive credential through CFRE International in 2007, and was recertified in 2010.   He and his wife Paula have a daughter, Jacquelyn, with special needs, a married son, Kyle, and three grandchildren.  Contact Gil Fonger at 630-593-5500.

Chief Financial Officer

Kudus Badmus

Kudus Badmus is responsible for the organization’s overall financial management, including budgeting and reporting. He also oversees the Support Services department and the Information Systems function. Kudus joined Marklund in 1996 and has held a range of positions in the Finance Department, including Accounting Supervisor, Finance Manager, and Director of Finance. He was promoted to the position of CFO in 2011. Kudus holds a bachelor’s and an MBA degree (with concentration in Accounting) from Roosevelt University, Chicago. He lives in Algonquin, with his wife; they both raised four adult children. His children, fortunately still live in the Chicagoland area. In his free time, Kudus enjoys mentoring young adults and volunteering to serve the underprivileged in various capacities. Contact Kudus Badmus at 630-593-5500.

Chief Development Officer

Heather Graves

Heather Graves joined Marklund in May 2011 as Chief Development Officer, and has held several nonprofit fundraising positions over the past 20 years. Those organizations include the Community House in Hinsdale, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Camp Barnabas. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and received her MBA from Oklahoma State University. Heather was awarded the certified fundraising executive credential through CFRE International in 2012, and was recertified in 2023. She enjoys spending time with family, volunteering and running marathons. Contact Heather Graves at 630-593-5479.

Director of Residential Services, Administrator, Marklund Philip Center, and Director of Therapy

Gunjan Patel

Gunjan Patel has been with Marklund since 2004 and serves as the Administrator of the Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale and the Director of Therapy for Marklund. She graduated from University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and from Northwestern University with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. Her background consists of working and managing therapy departments at a variety of hospitals and out-patient settings in the Chicagoland area. Currently at Marklund, Gunjan holds a LNHA license, and enjoys being both the Administrator for the Philip Center as well as Director of Therapy for all sites. Contact Gunjan Patel at 630-529-2871.

Director of Education & Adult Services

Paula Bodzioch

Paula Bodzioch has been at Marklund since July 2014, and oversees the management of the Marklund Day School as well as the Community Day Services (CDS) program.  Prior to joining the team at Marklund Day School, she worked in a public school setting for 13 years. In the public school arena, she was a special education teacher, student resource team leader, special education department chair and assistant principal of curriculum and development. Paula has a bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University and a master’s degree from St. Xavier. Contact Paula Bodzioch at 630-307-1882.

Chief Communications Officer

Dawn Lassiter-Brueske

Dawn Lassiter-Brueske joined Marklund as its Director of Marketing and Communications in July of 2011. She previous had worked as PR Manager with Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, after serving many years in the public relations and media fields.  As a freelance writer, she has published several articles for both trade and mainstream media. Dawn is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and The Association of Women in Communications. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Loyola University-Chicago. A near lifelong resident of the St. Charles area, she enjoys volunteering, most recently as the president of the board of directors for the St. Charles Library Foundation.  Contact Dawn Lassiter-Brueske at 630-593-5500.