Wendell Thomas III is a seasoned professional currently serving as a Sr. Associate in Research & Consulting at The Sound since September 2022. Previously, Wendell worked as a COVID-19 Contact Tracer for the Hudson County Health Department, focusing on immunocompromised communities. Wendell's experience also includes a role as Assistant Store Manager at Starbucks, where responsibilities included training new employees and managing schedules. Additionally, Wendell worked as a 3rd Grade Math Specialist at Hardy Williams Academy CS, and served as a Fellow in the Inclusive Companion Series at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With a background in journalism from The Daily Illini and leadership experience as a Resident Advisor, Wendell has cultivated a diverse skill set. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.