Marquette & Hamlin Group’s (MHG) roots might have started on the corner of Marquette and Hamlin Streets in Chicago, Illinois, but today, our reach is national.

For over a decade, MHG has provided non-profit and for-profit organizations access to industry experts in philanthropy, marketing, communications, board and organizational leadership, and operations. Today, our team has helped over seventy organizations achieve their company-specific goals. 

MHG Team

Joseph P.  Matty, Ms.Ed.

Founding Partner

  • Joseph P. Matty, an expert in the areas of nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, marketing, board and volunteer management, and political advocacy, has served as a C.E.O., C.O.O. and the President of multiple organizations and foundations. Over a 25-year period, he has been intricately involved with multiple healthcare and family business sales, has led strategic planning from the executive and consultant perspective, increased revenues and efficiency at all levels, enhanced the visibility and reputations of organizations, successfully overseen capital and comprehensive campaigns and lectured/educated many nonprofit leaders.

    Joseph founded a national consulting organization focused on nonprofit management, fundraising for private and nonprofit organizations, business development and revenue generation. Other consulting initiatives focus on board and executive leadership, revenue generation, integrated marketing, corporate and constituent relations, family philanthropy and all areas related to philanthropy.

    Along with these experiences, Joseph has served on national finance and marketing boards within the higher education and healthcare sectors and numerous Chicago-area civic and association boards.

    In addition, Joseph served six years in the U.S. Air Force, where he learned dietetic, nutrition, medical evacuation and leadership skills, worked at Central DuPage Hospital in Wheaton, IL cultivating relationships between doctors and administrators and the patients and community members they serve.

    Joseph lives in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with his wife Kate, and his four children, Isabella, Alexis, Genevieve and Gabriel.

Katherine Braser Matty, MPA

Partner

  • A professional writer for 20 years, Katherine’s career began as a journalist, where her work garnered numerous awards and was nationally recognized.  Most recently, she led the public relations and marketing department for one of the state’s largest community colleges.

    Katherine brings years of writing, communications, media relations, marketing, and fundraising experience to the MHG family. Her career has included time working in a newsroom of one of the nation’s largest media companies, as well as leadership experience in higher education and non-profits.

    Her focus areas are content writing for marketing materials, magazines, annual reports and newsletter copy, social media and media relations, as well as expertise in program development, donor cultivation, corporate relations and event planning. She has also done extensive work in speech writing and ghost writing.

    Katherine’s accolades include a nomination for a 2008 Pulitzer Prize, numerous state, regional and national journalism awards, and the Presidential Award for Excellence at Northern Illinois University. She has also completed three Chicago marathons.

Meredith Krantz, Krantz Strategies

Strategic Partner

  • Meredith Krantz is a Marquette Hamlin Group strategic partner who specializes in media relations, strategic marketing, and public affairs.

    Meredith is an award-winning communications strategist with deep roots in Illinois government, business, and policy. She is a transformative and forward-thinking communications and marketing advisor with a strong reputation as a top communications consultant to business, civic, and nonprofit organizations. Her success over the years led her to form Krantz Strategies, a public relations consulting firm.

    With an impressive career spanning various high-level public-sector leadership roles, including Director of Communications for the Illinois Department of Human Services and Deputy Director for the Illinois Office of Communications and Information, Meredith has honed her skills in navigating the complexities at the intersections of communities, government, and media relations.

    Recognized for her commitment to bipartisan cooperation and her exceptional ability to shape public policy, Meredith has become a trusted strategist and consultant, sought after by c-suite leaders across diverse sectors, including health, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and public affairs. Her reputation as a top communications consultant extends to her role as a strategic partner, where she plays a pivotal role in guiding Marquette Hamlin Group clients toward achieving their strategic objectives. 

    Meredith's strategic acumen shines through in her work, whether it involves community engagement, message development, thought leadership programs, social and digital communication, coalition building, education campaigns, or earned media. Her hands-on approach and tenacity in understanding audiences, coupled with her ability to leverage insights and engage with purpose, drive tangible outcomes for her clients.

    Krantz Strategies, under Meredith's leadership, continues to excel as a Certified Woman-Owned Business through the State of Illinois Business Enterprise Program and a certified DBE firm through the IL UCP. Meredith resides in Sugar Grove with her husband and two young boys and holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Illinois State University.

Jenny Hall

Strategic Partner - Events

  • Jenny Hall seamlessly blends creativity with precision in every event she orchestrates. With 19 years of experience in event planning and coordination, Jenny has honed her passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. From intimate gatherings to grand weddings, corporate functions and community fundraisers, Jenny's signature touch lies in her ability to uniquely tailor every event to not just meet but exceed expectations.

    Her recent recognition as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Kishwaukee College paid tribute to her outstanding contributions and unwavering service to her community. When she's not planning and executing unforgettable events, she is busy running the soccer club she co-founded, overseeing everything including branding, events, management, recruitment, staffing and marketing.

Kate Twohig Ochsenschlager

Strategic Partner

  • Kate Twohig Ochsenschlager is a writer, researcher, and marketing professional with fifteen years of experience working in the publishing, advertising, and nonprofit sectors. She has worked on brands such as Samsung, Purina, Secret, Kellogg's plus many other Fortune 500 companies. Kate's current area of expertise is writing, editing, and research. She has written and edited press releases, articles about events and conferences, and biographies, and she also performs various research projects like the investigation of grant opportunities. Kate is an avid reader and writer and is a huge proponent for public libraries. Just a few years ago, she assisted in a committee that helped secure funding for her city's new public library. In her spare time, Kate leads her daughter's Girl Scout troop, and she writes children's fiction.

Julie Blandford

Senior Director of Partnerships

  • Julie is the Senior Director of Partnerships with Marquette & Hamlin Group, where she helps lead the strategic planning and implementation of initiatives to elevate the unique mission and work of each client. She is inspired by the transformative power of philanthropy and is honored to be working alongside nonprofits to help them reach their full potential.

    Prior to joining the team at MHG, she dedicated more than 20 years of her career to advancing philanthropic and communication efforts for organizations across the nonprofit spectrum, including healthcare, human service, education and social service. She was privileged to serve on the foundation teams at Advocate Children’s Hospital, the JourneyCare Foundation, Maryville Academy and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital where she focused on leadership giving through foundation partnerships, led major gift and annual giving efforts, executed strategic communications and spearheaded special events.

    Julie is a graduate of the University of Iowa. She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and currently resides in Arlington Heights, Illinois with her husband and three daughters.

Sarah Tobeck

Senior Director of Partnerships

  • As a mission-driven individual with over twenty years of fundraising expertise, Sarah has served in nonprofit leadership roles at Loyola University Chicago, The University of Chicago, Ronald McDonald House Charities, The Morton Arboretum, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and most recently, The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Throughout her career, Sarah has built relationships between donors and their institutions through annual giving, major giving, grant writing, volunteer management, and donor relations. She has a strong background in marketing with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Loyola University Chicago, where she also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Secondary Education.

    As an avid believer in the power of philanthropy, Sarah is passionate about connecting donors to missions. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys exploring new places, spending time outside--especially in her garden, volunteering with her local PTA, and attending her weekly adult beginner ballet class. Sarah lives with her family in Wheaton, Illinois. 

Bonnie Baumgartner

Director of Strategic Partnerships 

  • Bonnie Baumgartner brings more than 10 years of nonprofit leadership experience spanning philanthropy, strategic communications, fundraising, community development, and public engagement. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations such as Aurora University, Batavia United Way, and Batavia MainStreet strengthen relationships, inspire support, and advance missions that create meaningful impact.

    Bonnie is also a passionate advocate for the arts and serves as chair of the public art initiative and a member of the Board of Directors at Water Street Studios. Through this work, she has helped bring numerous public art installations to the community while building partnerships among artists, businesses, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.

    Outside of work, Bonnie enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. Whether biking along the Fox River, camping, hiking, or traveling, she finds inspiration in nature and enjoys discovering new places while creating meaningful experiences with her family.

Annalisa Baranowski

Strategic Partner - Design

  • Annalisa Baranowski is a communication designer and ad enthusiast. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from DePaul University, Annalisa has worked as a marketing designer in the healthcare industry, renewable energy industry, and with various clients in the food and education industries. She is the CEO and founder of ALB Creative Solutions LLC, supporting clients through marketing, web, and event design.

Maegan Finnigan

Strategic Partner

  • With 15 years of non-profit experience, Maegan Finnigan is a dedicated professional specializing in advocacy, education, fundraising, event planning, and grant research. Being married to a veteran has deeply influenced her work with veteran-serving organizations, providing her with a unique perspective and understanding. She leverages this experience to foster meaningful partnerships and secure support for impactful programs. Maegan is also passionate about advocating for individuals with disabilities, championing their rights, and supporting initiatives that improve their quality of life.

    In her spare time, Maegan values moments with her family and finds fulfillment in serving others and helping them achieve their goals. She stands by the motto, "See a need, fill a need," and her commitment to making a difference is evident in every project she undertakes, reflecting her ingenuity and creativity.

Gianna Colantuono

Assistant Director of Client Relations

  • Gianna Colantuono is a recent graduate of Elmhurst University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication with minors in Sociology and Journalism. She supports the Director of Client Relations by preparing detailed client reports and assists the Founding Partner with scheduling and organizational tasks. Gianna also researches corporate sponsorship opportunities and helps plan and execute client events. With a strong background in communication and a passion for relationship building, she is dedicated to contributing to meaningful projects that help clients succeed.

Brittney Duran

Director of Partnership Relations and Accounting

  • Brittney Duran is the Director of Partnership Relations and Accounting at Marquette Hamlin Group, where she plays a key role in strengthening partnerships and optimizing the company’s financial operations. With more than 20 years of progressive experience in fiscal management, organizational leadership, and systems implementation, Brittney brings a strategic, solutions-driven approach to supporting MHG’s business growth and development initiatives.

    Throughout her career, she has successfully led the rollout of new financial systems and processes designed to enhance operational efficiency and cross-department collaboration. Her diverse background across real estate, healthcare, and business administration provides her with a broad understanding of complex organizational needs and the ability to align financial structure with long-term business objectives.

    Outside of work, Brittney finds fulfillment in family life—supporting her two sons’ baseball activities, Cub Scouts, volunteering at their school, and spending time with loved ones. She values community, connection, and creating meaningful experiences both professionally and personally.

Emme Forbes

Event Coordinator for The Kate at 318

  • Emme is a recent graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island IL where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Sociology & Anthropology. During her time at Augustana she was a member of the Chi Omega Gamma sorority where she was the fundraiser/philanthropy chair for all four years. Emme has now shifted her focus to event coordination now working at The Kate at 318.

    Outside of work Emme loves spending time with her family and her dog, Gordy, by going on walks and playing video games with her friends from around the globe. By creating connections with everyone she meets Emme is full of passion and dedication to Marquette Hamlin Group.

Let’s Work Together

Not every company is the same, which is why our philosophy takes a unique approach: We listen to the needs and goals of our clients. Rather than offering a quick fix, we believe in building a foundation so your organization can thrive long after our partnership has concluded. Let’s begin that relationship. Contact us to learn how we can help your organization achieve its goals.