CNF President John Bartels Steps Down, Moves into New Role as Chief of Fundraising

November 2025 – Lisle, IL — The Carlin Nalley Foundation (CNF) announces that longtime board member and President John Bartels is stepping down from his leadership role to become the organization’s Chief of Fundraising.
Bartels has served on the CNF Board of Directors since 2009 and as President since 2013. Over his twelve-year tenure, the Foundation has enjoyed steady, successful growth — expanding scholarship programs, strengthening alumni engagement, and broadening community impact.
A 1985 graduate of Lisle High School and a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Chemical Engineering, John recently retired after a distinguished career as an engineer and manager with BP. He resides in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood with his wife and two daughters.
Succeeding Bartels as President is Karla (Nalley) Modelski, a fellow Lisle alumna and long-time CNF leader. Both leadership transitions were unanimously approved during the Foundation’s annual board meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
“It has been a privilege to serve on this outstanding board,” shared Bartels. “Stepping down from my role as president will allow me to focus on fundraising for CNF’s scholarship program — a cause I care deeply about.”
Among his accomplishments, Bartels was honored in 2021 with the Lisle High School Distinguished Alumni Award.