ABOUT
Origami Works Foundation addresses gaps and opportunities in Chicagoland’s vibrant and complex workforce development ecosystem. We collaborate with community-based organizations, educational institutions, employers, and government agencies to reduce barriers to rewarding employment. We apply project management strategies and capabilities to bring promising ideas out of the ideation stage and into reality.
Dani Houchin
Executive Director
Dani's commitment to addressing workforce issues across Chicagoland is palpable and it inspires the people around her.
January Miller, Embarc
Dani (she/her) is the Executive Director and Managing Trustee of Origami Works Foundation. Dani spent most of her career as a management consultant, helping organizations of all kinds and sizes enhance the performance of their employees, through learning initiatives, change management efforts, and process improvements. Now she applies those skills to enhancing opportunity for Chicagoans seeking to overcome barriers to employment, opportunity youth, and first generation college students.
A first-generation college graduate herself, Dani has a degree in Public & International Affairs from Princeton University, and a Masters in Instructional Technology from Columbia University. She also completed doctoral level coursework at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
Tami (she/her) is the Program Officer at Origami Works Foundation providing support and direction on a variety of projects both past and present. She has spent her career in a diverse set of roles and sectors, including Office Management, Human Resources, and was the creator and proprietor of a small online crafts business for several years. Tami's unique career path has given her an ability to adapt and innovate, and she now uses that skill to help Origami Works Foundation succeed in its partnerships with Chicagoland workforce organizations.
Tami is a first-generation college graduate with a BA in Theatre & Dance from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition to her work with Origami Works Foundation she is a writer, performer, and advocate for the empowerment of girls and women.
Tami Hillberry
Program Officer
Allison Harju
Operations Manager
Allison (she/her) is the Operations Manager for Origami Works Foundation. Allison is responsible for many critical tasks that, when done well, often go unnoticed. Her responsibilities include human resources, bookkeeping, payroll, benefits, compliance, grants administration, website maintenance and general operations. Allison is both a people person and a numbers person; she is creative and consistent, reliable and thorough.
Allison earned her Associate in Arts from William Rainey Harper College and completed additional coursework in psychology, sociology & criminal justice. Allison has years of experience working behind the scenes making sure organizations run smoothly for employees, clients, and business partners. Allison is also a certified yoga instructor.
Austin (he/him) is the Associate Project Manager at Origami Works Foundation and is engaging and assisting with several strategic projects over the next year, including the blog, a new contact management system, the 2023 Workforce Development Symposium and others.
As a first generation student, Austin received a BA in Chemistry from Princeton University and conducted research on microtubules. He is also a rock climber, a film fanatic, and a sneakerhead. His favorite movie is Te Llevo Conmigo and plans to continue developing his rock climbing expertise and expanding his sneaker collection.
Austin volunteered as an ESL instructor at El Centro in Trenton, New Jersey and worked as a Rock Climbing Wall Coordinator for Princeton University’s Climbing Wall. Both of these experiences have contributed to Austin's professional skills and cultivated his passion for the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Austin Morales-Sanchez
Associate Project Manager
Laura Koch
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Laura Koch (she/her) serves as the Employer Talent Connector at Origami Works Foundation, where she helps employers navigate and expand their role in the workforce ecosystem. With over a decade of experience across nonprofit, public, and private sectors, she excels in relationship-building, managing complex initiatives, and scaling mission-aligned programs. Laura holds a Master’s in Public Policy and brings both strategic insight and on-the-ground experience to her work.
Outside of work, she performs with the Chicago Spirit Brigade and rehabilitates reptiles with Chicagoland Exotic Animal Rescue.
Megan (she/her) is the Project Management Fellow at Origami Works Foundation. She assists and helps manage several projects, including the blog, Talent Connections book promotion, updates to the contact management system, and more.
As a first-generation student, Megan received a BA in Computer Science from Princeton. Her senior thesis focused on designing a system of programmable hardware that can be used to create immersive, self-guided tour experiences, by detecting the user’s location and their interaction with integrated modules.
Megan is also a musician, her favorite instrument being the tenor saxophone, which she played for the Band at Princeton. She is a portrait artist, animator, and loves to crochet plush toys as a hobby. Megan looks forward to starting her new life in Chicago and working on new and exciting projects at Origami Works.
