Our Senior Staff
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Gregory G. Jackson, MPA
Executive Director
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Gregory Jackson is the Executive Director of the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention where as the non-profit agency’s chief executive officer he leads a dedicated staff of researchers and policy advocates in “creating a safe environment for every stage of life.” Mr. Jackson’s professional background includes positions in public policy, public administration, as well as academia. Previous to his current position Mr. Jackson served as a city manager (CEO), county administrator (CAO), municipal commissioner, and member of senior staff for a Cook County (Illinois) Commissioner. In addition, he has served as the Vice President of Government Affairs for Warrenville based IT Associates, Inc., and was the founder of Electoral Strategies, LLC. Mr. Jackson is also a United States Marine Corps veteran.
In academia Mr. Jackson lectured in the Organizational Leadership Program at Eureka College – President Ronald Reagan’s alma mater. He currently lectures at Northeastern Illinois University and is an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology. At both of these institutions he teaches a range of courses in the areas of public policy and public administration. Mr. Jackson was the recipient of the Frederick-Welty award in political science at Northeastern Illinois University where he also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude. He also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Roosevelt University, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University. His research interests include government reform, human rights, and international conflict resolution.
Mr. Jackson has been affiliated with numerous community, civic, and professional organizations including the International City/County Management Association, Illinois City/County Management Association, Special Education District of Lake County Foundation, and American Legion. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Council (Chicago Chapter) of the American Society for Public Administration as well as a member of the Advisory Council for Non-Profit Organizations for the Illinois Channel. Gregory Jackson lives in Highland Park, Illinois with his wife of 23 years Joanne.
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Mandy Vukits
Director of Communications and Special Projects
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Mandy Vukits is the Director of Communications and Special Projects for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. She began her time at the organization with an internship that focused on providing support for the After-school Partnership. Currently, she is committed to the development of communication and media tools that will benefit ICVP as well as taking leadership over various organizational projects. She is also responsible for all interns and research assistants that come through the agency.
Mandy has also served on ICVP’s leadership council and is going on her third year of involvement with the Art of Peace Gala Planning Committee. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences from DePaul University. She currently is working on her Master’s Degree in Public Health at DePaul University and is expected to graduate in June 2012.
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Levone Ruffin
Executive Assistant
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Ms. Levone Ruffin has nearly twenty years of experience in the non-profit sector. She is a graduate of Chicago State University of Chicago, Illinois with a B.S. in Computer Sciences.
Her business levels of designation in various non-profit agencies have included, Executive Business Assistant, Direct Assistant to Executive Directors, Accounting and Office/Personnel Manager.
Her previous areas of employment responsibilities with non-profit agencies have included: converting existing internal manual operations into computerized and automatic processes, enhancing outdated accounting and bookkeeping systems, created timely, meaningful and fiscally concise financial reports, organized and assisted in instituting processes for managing and staying within the constraints of the agency budget requirements.
Ms. Ruffin currently assists in managing the overall financial operations area, human resources, as well as a various array of mission critical assignments supporting the Executive Director in fulfilling his mandate for the continual growth and agency sustainability.