Release Date:
Tue, 2003-03-11 21:00

For immediate release:
Media Contacts:
Sandee Kastrul: phone (312) 640-3851 or e-mail skastrul@icstars.org
Leslie Beller: phone (312) 640-3852 or e-mail lbeller@icstars.org
i.c.stars Co-founder Sandee Kastrul Appointed New President
Organization innovates to shape the next generation of technology professionals
CHICAGO, March 11, 2003 – i.c.stars, a not-for-profit organization that provides technology training and
leadership development for Chicago’s inner-city young adults, announced that Sandee Kastrul has been
appointed President, effective as of March 3, 2003.
Ms. Kastrul and Leslie Beller, former president and co-founder of i.c.stars, together integrated
the simulation-based educational model created by Kastrul into the program. This model has become
the nucleus of all i.c.stars programs. Prior to Kastrul’s role as President, she was charged with refining
and managing the curriculum training for i.c.stars student interns. Each semester she ensured that
team building, culture and learning style were customized to each class of interns.
"Sandee’s expertise in cross-curricular integration strategies, diversity training and curriculum
development will give i.c.stars the strategic direction required for this position," said Brigid McGrath,
founding i.c.stars board member and recently elected board chair. "Her strong ties to the Chicago
community and i.c.stars alumni will help take the organization to the next level."
Leslie Beller will continue to drive i.c.stars’ mission through her new social media venture that
employs integrated marketing to drive social change and economic development for both corporate and
community clients.
"We saw early on that the negative perceptions and low expectations of inner-city youth would
limit our graduates’ market opportunity. By bringing i.c.stars interns and business executives together in
meaningful relationships we were able to transform these negative stereotypes into leadership and value
models," said Beller.
In her new role, Kastrul will lead the i.c.stars long-term strategic plan to enhance current
education offerings and move toward a self-sustaining financial model. These offerings will provide
i.c.stars alumni with continuing education, mentoring, career guidance, placement services, venture
capital, and executive coaching throughout their career path, as well as help them with community
organizing to achieve social and economic freedom in Chicago's inner-city neighborhoods.
"We’re making a tremendous impact on the communities of Chicago by leveraging the
leadership abilities of our graduates. Our alumni are starting companies, working for community based
organizations, and securing careers with industry leaders including W.W. Grainger, Allstate, and
Microsoft," said Kastrul, president of i.c.stars.
Prior to i.c.stars, Kastrul spent a decade implementing a professional development program with
Harold Washington College Career Center and designing a comprehensive science and civics
interactive program for GED students at Jobs for Youth.
About i.c.stars
i.c.stars was founded to break the reproducing cycle of poverty that limits the ability of oppressed
persons to advance as leaders and alter the social and economic conditions of society. Our goal is to
empower resilient individuals from Chicago’s inner city with the social, financial and intellectual capital
necessary for acknowledged leadership. Our objectives focus on delivering programs and services that
increase the viability of resilient inner city young adults’ entrance and retention in leadership building
opportunities.