Meet the People Behind the Mission
Meet the people dedicated to cultivating supportive mental health spaces for youth. Our leadership team brings together decades of experience in education, operations, and community advocacy.
Katie Marciniak
Founder & CEO
“Having experienced and witnessed the power of holistic support, I’m passionate about creating spaces where young people can thrive mentally, emotionally, and spiritually".
Katie was born & raised on the Southwest Side of Chicago. She felt called to serve her community from the age of 13. Her personal experiences with mental health challenges, the loss of her brother, and her journey of healing through faith deepened her passion for creating safe, supportive mental health spaces for young people. Throughout her career, she has built meaningful relationships with thousands of students across Chicago, equipped young adults nationwide with health education and leadership tools, and strengthened community partnerships. Inspired by Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, Katie founded Wellspring Youth United to reflect Christ’s love by supporting young people in healing, growing, discovering their purpose, and becoming leaders who bring hope and transformation to their communities.
Ngodoo Zume
Treasurer
“ I am committed to supporting responsible financial oversight while helping advance programs that create meaningful, lasting impact for the youth”.
Ngodoo Zume is an economist by profession with a background in research and government, with over five years of experience in data analysis and strategic decision-making. Alongside her technical expertise, she has a longstanding commitment to youth development. Since college, she has worked extensively with young people through tutoring, supporting elementary, high school, and college students in both in-person and virtual settings. During college, she also worked as a project assistant for the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), where she supported middle and high school students preparing for college and STEM careers while managing program receipts, contributing to grant proposals and reports, and developing a performance evaluation framework to assess student outcomes. She recently served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and is currently mentoring a high school student through GRIP Outreach for Youth. All of these experiences have strengthened her ability to connect with and support youth from diverse backgrounds.
Huong Nguyen
Board Member
“I provide a safe space for students to explore and discuss life challenges, stress, academic challenges, relational conflicts, and mental health concerns”.
Huong is a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling services to college-aged and graduate students. She has a passion for working with young adults during their college years, which she believes are foundational years for personal growth, self-discovery, and building meaningful, lifelong relationships. She strives to provide a safe space for students to explore and discuss life challenges, stress, academic pressures, relational conflicts, and mental health concerns. Together, she and her clients collaborate on counseling goals, explore coping skills, and implement self-care strategies to support their overall well-being. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring pastry shops throughout Chicago, walking her dog, Norie, and grabbing matcha at the newest cafés.
Moriah Wilson
Secretary
“I am honored to support organizations like Wellspring Youth United that equip youth to care for their whole selves— mind, body, and spirit— and to walk in the fullness of their God-given purpose”.
Moriah Wilson is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, where she studies molecular metabolism and nutrition, with a focus on how the gut microbiome and diet influence overall health. While she spends much of her time at the lab bench, her long-term goals lie at the intersection of science and public health. She is passionate about making scientific knowledge more accessible in ways that feel tangible, practical, and empowering. She has been fortunate to work with Target H.O.P.E., an organization that supports high school students through mentorship and exposure to diverse career paths. As a guest lecturer, she has taught students about nutrition from a holistic perspective, integrating its connections to science, public health, food accessibility, and overall well-being.
Don Winston Jr.
Board Member
“I have been blessed by others who poured into me, and I want to do the same for others”.
Don Winston Jr. was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, where he saw firsthand some of the challenges that youth and adults face. Those experiences shaped his desire to serve on the board and help foster positive change within the schools they serve. He currently works in tech sales and is also a musician, with a background in gospel, jazz, and orchestral music. He previously worked as a community organizer focused on economic and youth development. His faith and desire to live as a disciple of Christ are at the heart of why he serves.