Meet Our Board Members: Jasen Toussaint

March 3, 2020

Associate Board

Born: Evanston, IL

College and major: Western Illinois, finance major and ran track and cross country. Graduated from Aurora University.

Position: Senior Recruiting Manager at Connect Search, LLC

“I partner with public and private firms across all industries to bring talented finance and accounting professionals into their organizations. I work with hiring managers and HR to help navigate candidates through their interview and on boarding processes seamlessly.”

Favorite travel destination:

“I’ll say Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. There’s a variety of things to do, something for everybody, so I enjoyed going to the beach and hanging out there a bit, getting into the culture, getting out to other parts of the city – the non-touristy areas and just enjoying some of the authentic food that they have there. And then we did a bunch of activities – zip lining, jet skiing, took a couple food tours.”

Finding Mercy Home:

“I was working with Northbrook Bank & Trust – they’re part of the Wintrust corporation – and they hosted an event at the Wintrust building for a bunch of nonprofits in Chicago. It was for young professionals and all of the organizations had booths and I met Jenny and another representative from Mercy Home at that event and learned a lot more about the Home and about the mission. It was just a neat mission to get behind and it was something that my interests aligned with really well.”

Favorite part about Mercy Home’s mission:

“I had the privilege of growing up with both parents in my home, and they’re still together to this day. I’m a young father – I was 22 when my first son was born, and his mom and I didn’t last, but he still gets the love from both sides and I feel like all kids are deserving of that. I feel that Mercy Home kind of fills that gap for a segment of the population who might be lacking there a little bit. My observation of the services and benefits provided are so overwhelmingly positive in these young kids’ lives that it was something I felt strongly about and wanted to be a part of.”

Proudest accomplishment:

“My junior year of high school we put together a 4×1 Mile Relay and we placed fourth in the nation at a national track meet.”

Mercy Home legacy:

“If I could inspire even one kid who is part of the Home to progress in a positive way, accomplish whatever goals they may have – I’d be really happy with that.”