Center for Advancing Domestic Peace

Kelsey Montanez

Kelsey Montanez grew up watching her father’s band practice, which is where her love for music began. At the age of 13, he bought Kelsey her first electric guitar and at 14 she played her first show at a Lombard coffee shop. The Chicago singer/songwriter has since headlined such noted venues as The Elbo Room and The Beat Kitchen along with many festivals and showcases. Other career highlights include competing on American Idol and collaborating with Charlie Benante of Anthrax. Kelsey is currently the artist in residence at Lakeshore East.

El Bandolero

Johnny Al bazi

Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Johnny Al Bazi began playing guitar at the age of 16. After having to flee his homeland, Johnny settled in Greece where he first performed onstage. But, it was not until immigrating to the US that he realized his dream of starting a band, known today as El Bandolero. The group attributes their popularity to their unique sound coupled with their ability to sing in six different languages. Johnny has also played with the acclaimed Gypsy Kings and opened for Eddie Santiago and Brenda K. Starr.

Nataly SalazAr

Peruvian born Nataly Salazar has lived in Chicago for the past 35 years. Along with managing and performing with “El Bandolero,” she produces an array of artistic and community events, including serving as Vice President of the Pisco Festival. As an entertainment and marketing professional, Nataly has also produced and narrated television commercials for large-scale companies nationwide. Her biggest mission and what she is most proud of is supporting the community and inspiring others through her experience and achievements as a Latin American woman, mother, and entrepreneur.

Rachael Lake

Rachael Lake has been a beauty industry expert and entrepreneur for over 20 years. She started out as a makeup artist, learning the ropes of the business on photo shoots, the runway, and in print. She loved traveling and working with people from all walks of life but became frustrated with how the industry glorifies perfection over realness. So, after devoting much of her career to helping top brands grow, she decided to start her own - POTI Beauty – whose mission is authentic skincare that celebrates everyone just as they are.

TERRI POPE

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, where she continues to reside today, Terri Pope is making a positive difference in the lives of the hundreds of men and women we reach each year in our partner abuse intervention programs. Since first joining the Center as an intern in 2014, Terri has held many different staff roles and responsibilities, including currently serving as Senior Group Facilitator and Aftercare Coordinator. Helping people see that domestic violence doesn’t have to be their life story is what inspires her work with the Center.  

Juan Illescas

As a first generation Peruvian-American, Juan Ilescas wanted to bring something special from his parents’ homeland to Chicago, which is what led him to start JDI Imports. Since its inception in 2005, the company has become one of the largest Peruvian wine and pisco suppliers in Illinois, putting unique brands like Intipalka and Tacama “on the map” in Chicago and across the state. Juan credits this growth to JDI’s dedicated customers and team as well as his mother, whose memory has been the motivating force behind his business development efforts.