By Ellen Schubart, Class of 2006
You might think of her as the person who first welcomed you to CAC, who first interviewed you when you applied to be a docent or volunteer, who led you through training, who was always there to smile and guide you through the volunteer experience. Caroline Duda is on the front line of recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers and docents.
Today her job description is lengthy, ranging from “overseeing the life cycle of all volunteers” to supervising staff, preparing annual department plans, and developing and managing volunteer policies, procedures, and standards. In short, she is the guiding light for all of us—Docents, Education Guides, Exhibit Hosts or Guest Services.
It’s quite a job, and one she has been working up to cheerfully for 10 years. Celebrating this 10th anniversary reminds Duda of when she first came to what was then CAF – Chicago Architecture Foundation. It was her boyfriend, now husband Adam, who urged Duda to apply. She investigated the organization and found inspiration.
“I saw that Barb Gordon (then a vice-president) had started in the retail shop and worked her way up through the organization to become a vice-president,” Duda said in a recent interview. “She became my role model.”
Duda began working for Hallie Rosen, then head of volunteer services, with aspirations to move upward. Even that first job was something of a fluke, she explained. “I applied to lead Open House Chicago,” she remembered. “But just at that time, Charnice Polk, the volunteer scheduler, resigned, and Hallie Rosen needed help.” Duda was quickly hired.
Rosen moved on, and Duda moved into her slot. She was promoted to her current position as Senior Director of Volunteer Services in July, 2024.
Duda began working at CAC when she was dating Adam and in those 10 years, she has had not only received promotions, but managed to find time to marry and have two children, Amelia, 3-1/2 years old and Nate, 18 months.
Born and raised in the St. Louis area, Duda attended Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO. After college she worked in an outdoor education setting in St. Louis and a YMCA Camp in Connecticut. “I tried to stay east,” she confessed. But she couldn’t find a job and moved back home. Her twin sister, who lived in Winfield, IL, offered lodging. Duda moved to the Chicago area and applied to graduate school. She completed her MA in non-profit management from DePaul University.
Looking back over 10 years, Duda said the highlight of her work was the “coming together during the Covid pandemic. We got to know people as we coped with the various situations.” Low point? Stressing on Friday nights about not having all the weekend river cruise schedule filled.
With a decade behind her, Duda has goals for the future. “I want CAC to be the place to volunteer,” she says, for both docents and Education Guides, Exhibit Hosts and Guest Services.
Sounds like she has added another line to her job description, and she is ready to tackle that.
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Congrats on 10 years, Caroline! We’re lucky to have you.
Time flies! Congratulations, Caroline, on 10 fantastic years. Looking forward to many more.
Congratulations Caroline. Ten years of adapting well to all the changes. Here’s to at least ten more.
I confess that this anonymous is me. Sorry.
Caroline thanks for all the energy you bring to your job – it’s contagious! And your kids are beautiful.
And thanks for the write up , Ellen.
Congratulations, Caroline! Did you ever imagine that life would take you on this ride? So glad we have had you to count on.
You are a treasure to CAC!
You are a treasure to CAC?
10 years! Congratulations, Caroline! More CAC years ahead! Thank you!
Suzy Ruder
Caroline – congratulations on 10 years! What would we do without you?
This is great. Congrats!
10 years? I remember youworking at that desk in the old offices; being interrupted a zillion times by all of us docents! You have made SUCH a difference, Caroline; we are indeed VERY lucky to have you!
Ten years! And always a beautiful smile, too! Thank you! (the children are gorgeous, too!)
Congrats Caroline for your 10 years with the CAC. You always have a smile for everyone. Thanks for including the adorable photo of your children.
We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for answering all our questions and being so patient!