About Upshor

Upshor is a growth strategy firm that works with emerging organizations to deepen their value and support mission impact. Through a combination of big-picture thinking and pragmatic counsel, our team partners with leaders to optimize funding, strengthen what works, and foster communications that reflect impact.

Our team is comprised of innovators, strategists, and avid problem-solvers who are committed to advancing social change. We understand the complex issues that new and growing organizations experience, and we bring first-hand knowledge of the best practices to help organizations grow with intention.

Anne Sweeney
Principal
Email: Asweeney@upshor.com

Anne specializes in organizational development and helping leaders amplify their impact. She worked in the human rights sector for over 15 years, from consulting with the United Nations to helping refugee families resettle in the United States. In 2007, she co-founded RefuSHE (formerly Heshima Kenya), an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to protecting and empowering refugee girls and young women in Nairobi. She also served as the founding managing director of New Coast Foundation where she led the design and launch of the foundation’s venture philanthropic grantmaking program. Anne is a Leadership of Greater Chicago Fellow, was featured in the Chicago Tribune’s Remarkable Women’s series, and was honored as 100 Women of Inspiration by Today’s Chicago Women magazine. She holds an MA in International Relations from American University, a BS in Social Work from University of Minnesota, and a Certificate in Forced Migration from Oxford University. She serves on the boards of GirlForward and Mayan Health Initiative, and was the former Chairwoman of Illinois Birth Justice. 

Jennifer McGill-Rusynyk
Associate
Email: JMRusynyk@upshor.com

Jennifer is a non-profit leader with experience in the Arts and Health and Human Services sectors. Currently serving as the Director of Resource Development Operations for United Way of Metro Chicago, Jennifer’s deepest skill set is centered around fundraising and strategic planning. Secondary areas of focus include database management and data strategy,  organizational development, and general operations. Jennifer has worked with performing arts organizations in Columbus, Ohio and Philadelphia. She earned a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Choreography, and Performance from Ohio University. Jennifer’s professional and personal values include resilience, network weaving, and equity, which she works to bring to each project and planning session she leads.

Rose Sweeney
Associate
Email: RSweeney@upshor.com

Rose specializes in translating sophisticated concepts for broader audiences and helping organizations use their marketing communications to drive the relationships they want with their audience. Prior to founding Lorett Marketing Communication, Rose served as Director of Business Development and Communications at Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, a leading healthcare architecture and interior design firm. Other experience includes coordinating student enrichment programs for the Chicago Public Schools and the City of Chicago, as well as managing external relationships and research publications for the Consortium on School Research at the University of Chicago's Urban Education Institute. Rose holds a B.A. from Smith College and an M.A. from the University of Chicago.