Dory Rand | President

Woodstock Institute President Dory Rand brings a wealth of community reinvestment knowledge and a proven ability to shape financial services policy to the challenge of promoting economic security and community prosperity for lower-wealth people.

“I’m interested in using lessons learned from behavioral economics to create public policies and financial products that foster a sound financial system and help everyone safely borrow, save and invest for long-term financial security,” says Dory. “I find my job fulfilling because Woodstock Institute’s work helps to close the wealth gap by increasing opportunities for lower-wealth households and communities of color to thrive and prosper.”

Dory joined Woodstock Institute after 12 years at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago; most recently, she served as the supervising attorney of the Center’s Community Investment Unit.

Dory has long advocated for lower-wealth people on welfare law and public financial issues at the local, state, and national levels. She has published extensively, presented at many national conferences, and appeared in national and local media, including American Banker and the Chicago Tribune.

Meanwhile, she emphasizes the importance of collaborating with others on key issues. “I feel fortunate to work with the talented Woodstock team and colleagues around the country in creating innovative solutions to some of the most significant financial issues of our lifetime,” she says.

Dory received a B.A. and J.D. from The Ohio State University.

Geoff Smith | Senior Vice President

Geoff’s work as Vice President of Woodstock Institute has encompassed research and writing analysis of a wide range of housing and community development topics, including mortgage lending policy, housing market trends, small business finance, financial institution regulation, access to banking services, and general community reinvestment policy.

“I use data analysis to examine the economic health of neighborhoods and to understand factors threatening the financial security of economically vulnerable communities,” says Geoff. “The goal is to inform policy solutions that promote responsible and sustainable financial products and practices.”

Through his work, Geoff researches and writes reports for Woodstock Institute and often shares findings directly with policymakers. He has authored and co-authored numerous Woodstock publications and co-authored research published in journals including Housing Policy Debate and Urban Affairs Review; testified on predatory lending issues and community reinvestment policy at hearings held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, the Federal Reserve Board, the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and the Chicago City Council, and has been quoted in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets. He has also appeared on NBC Nightly News.

Geoff received a B.A. in Geography from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tom Feltner | Vice President

Tom is responsible for Woodstock Institute’s consumer lending policy and research, media relations and fundraising. Since 2003, Tom has worked to shape the payday loan, automobile title loan, and refund anticipation loan policy debate by documenting the worst abuses in the industry, proposing meaningful reforms, and communicating key findings and reforms to the public.

He has also presented Woodstock Institute’s research and policy recommendations at national and regional conferences and has organized numerous workshops on community reinvestment policy and practice.

“Woodstock’s work is timely and actionable, and helps shape the debate in favor of safe and affordable financial products and services,” says Tom. “As I continue this work and engage Woodstock’s key stakeholders, keeping credit flowing and eliminating unfair products and practices are my top priorities.”

Tom received a B.A. with high honors in Philosophy and Sociology from DePaul University and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Patricia Woods-Hessing | Administrative Director

Patricia Woods-Hessing is the Administrative Director and financial officer of Woodstock Institute. She is responsible for day-to-day operations, including managing Woodstock's budget, financial and grant reporting, and publication production. Pat has a B.S. in Administration from YMCA College, has completed courses in accounting at Harold Washington College, and has completed the NFC Bookkeepers Certificate from the NFC Financial Management Institute.

Beverly Berryhill | Administrative Associate

Beverly Berryhill is Administrative Associate for the Institute. Her responsibilities include administrative support for staff, database maintenance, publication formatting, and general administrative duties at Woodstock Institute.

Beverly attended Olive Harvey College and has recieved the NFC Bookkeepers Certificate NFC Financial Management Institute.

Sarah Duda | Research and Project Associate

As the Research and Project Associate at Woodstock Institute, Sarah contributes to research and written analysis on various issues concerning housing policy and access to fairly priced financial products and services. Her primary interests include economic development theory, urban policy, and the development of equitable strategies for community reinvestment. “Woodstock’s applied research is the cornerstone of our policy recommendations, advocacy efforts and coalition building,” says Sarah. “ By identifying new sources of information and producing fresh perspectives from traditional data sources, my work helps to bring long-standing community economic development issues into focus.”

Sarah received a B.A. from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio and the Master in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Katie Buitrago | Policy and Communications Associate

Katie contributes to Woodstock’s outreach, policy development, and communications efforts; her projects include editing and managing the organization’s Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative website.

“My work helps shape the debate on timely and vital issues that dominate the local and national policy landscape, such as the foreclosure crisis and consumer finance reform,” says Katie.

Prior to joining the Woodstock Institute, Katie gained experience in research and communications as a reporter, marketing assistant and intern at Chicago Public Radio. Her interests include urban development policy, community reinvestment, and the effects of financial products on immigrant groups.

Kate received her B.A. with honors in Public Policy Studies and Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago.

Suniya Farooqui | Intern

Dan Immergluck | Senior Consultant

Dan Immergluck, formerly Senior Vice President of the Woodstock Institute, has remained with Woodstock as a consultant. He has worked and written extensively on CRA policy, fair housing, fair lending, and predatory lending issues, economic development patterns and policy, development finance, and related topics. Dan holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sean Zielenbach | Senior Consultant