Lee A. Cabot Board President, F65 board member since 2008

Carolyn Castellini Fundraising Committee member, F65 board member since 2011

Carolyn Castellini earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1994 and received her M.A. in Music from Northeastern Illinois University in 1999. After graduating from Northwestern, she taught in the public school system of Glenview. She served on District 34’s Technology Committee, Code of Conduct Committee, and School Improvement Team, as well as the District Fine Arts Committee. Carolyn was a Mentor in the district for new teachers as well as a Mediator for teachers experiencing a problem or conflict. She later served as the Team Leader, facilitating collaboration and consensus building. Carolyn recently served as Chair of the YMCA Parent Advisory Group as well as PTA Co-President at her children’s grade school. She is currently pursuing a new career in Real Estate. Carolyn is the mother of four children.

Christyne Dzwierzynski Marketing and Communications Committee Co-Chair, F65 board member since 2011

Christyne Dzwierzynski currently runs her own marketing consulting firm, working with major consumer packaged goods corporations.  Previously, she worked at both Unilever and Quaker Oats in the consumer and market insights departments.  Her involvement with District 65 includes working with the District on strategic planning committees, as well as with the Washington and Nichols PTAs. Christyne earned a M.M. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1992, with a concentration in Marketing and International Business.  She also recieved her B.S. degree in Marketing from Miami University Ohio in 1987.  Christyne lives in Evanston with her husband, Jim, and their 3 children who attend Washington, Nichols and ETHS.

Shannon Alexander Farrar Fundraising Committee Chair, F65 board member since 2010

Shannon Farrar is the President of the Alexander Ross Group, a consulting firm based in Evanston. Previously, she served as Vice President of External Affairs for the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Prior to her work at the museum, Shannon was a consultant with The Alford Group in Evanston and worked with a wide range of not-for-profits including hospitals, educational institutions and social service organizations.  Shannon lives in Evanston with her husband and daughter, who will attend Kingsley Elementary School in the coming years.

Elizabeth Feiertag Fundraising Committee member, F65 board member since 2007

Elizabeth Feiertag is an Associate Consultant at Giving Tree Associates. She works closely with GTA’s principals researching, writing and implementing development strategies for various clients. Prior to this, Liz was a tenured faculty member of the English Department at New Trier High School from 1997-2006. She was selected by the superintendent to act as the school’s Faculty Coordinator for New Trier’s 2004-2005 Strategic Plan. Elizabeth also served for two years on the Board of Directors of Cherry Preschool, acting as the Board’s secretary and member of the Executive Committee from 2007-2009 and served on the PTA Board and Executive Committee from 2008-2010 at Lincolnwood Elementary School. Liz graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and Northwestern University where she earned a Master of Science in Education. She lives in Evanston with her husband, their two children, and their children’s dog.

Paul Goren Program Comittee Co-Chair, F65 board member since 2009

Paul Goren is the Lewis-Sebring Director of the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the Urban Education Institute of the University of Chicago. Previously, Paul served as senior vice president of The Spencer Foundation which supports education research and as program director at the MacArthur Foundation. He is a former Assistant Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools and senior administrator in the San Diego schools. He also directed the education program of the National Governor's Association. Paul holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University, a Master of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School at the University of Texas, and a B.A. from Williams College. Paul and his wife, Gwen Macsai, a public radio host, live in Evanston with their three children who attended Oakton Elementary, and now attend Chute Middle School and ETHS.

Barbara Hiller Program Comittee Chair, F65 board member since 2007

Barbara Hiller is the principal coach for the Consortium for Educational Change in Illinois. She is a former District 65 math teacher, principal and administrator. She retired as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Barbara also served as a consultant to the University of Chicago Everyday Mathematics development project and recently co-authored Integrating Literacy and Math: Strategies for K-6 Teachers (2008). In addition, Barbara served for 21 years as a board member of Youth Organization Umbrella (Y.O.U.). She recieved her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Roosevelt University. Barbara is a parent of four, all of whom graduated from District 65.

Tammytha D. Johnson Board Development Committee member, F65 board member since 2010

Tammy Johnson is a life-long Evanstonian and an alumna of King Lab and Evanston Township High School. Tammy brings extensive knowledge of and involvement in the community as well as a strong background in business. She has over 18 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies such as Kraft Foods, Global and Baxter Healthcare, within the sales arena. Tammy recieved her MBA from North Park University and her B.A. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She actively volunteers as a workshop facilitator at the Youth Job Center of Evanston, and as a Job Coach with Job Coaches Connection in Chicago. Tammy's dedication to her community recently led her to serve a three year term as PTA President of Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School. Tammy is committed to utilizing her gifts and talents to enhance the mission of Foundation 65.  Tammy lives in Evanston with her husband, Shawn, and their 3 children who attend Bessie Rhodes and Gordon Tech High School.

Stephanie L. Kimmel Finance Committee member, F65 board member since 2010

Stephanie Kimmel has 20 years of professional experience in nonprofit management and development, with organizations such as the Ravinia Festival and the Goodman Theatre. As a proud alumna of Lincolnwood, Haven and Evanston Township High School, Stephanie can help the Foundation connect with additional members of the District 65 community. Stephanie holds an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School in nonprofit management and a B.A. from Amherst College. Stephanie and her husband, Mike Conroy, live in Evanston-Skokie with their two children who will attend Walker School in the coming years.

Diane Lequar Finance Committee Chair, F65 board member since 2011

Diane Lequar has worked most recently as a project manager for Eris Exchange in Chicago, doing accounting, bookkeeping, and other projects for the startup company. While raising her children she served as President of her 80-unit condominium association for 4 years, President of the Parent Circle for 2 years, and Dewey School PTA Treasurer for 4 years. Diane holds an M.A. from Northwestern University and a B.A. from Southern Methodist University. Diane and her husband, James Lequar, live in Evanston with their two children who attend Dewey Elementary and Nichols Middle School.

John M. Luczak Board Development Committee Chair, F65 board member since 2006

John M. Luczak is the Education Program Manager at the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, which works to close achievement gaps through policy-oriented approaches toimproving teacher quality, expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, and supporting charter schools and technological advances.  John has worked at the Joyce Foundation since 2004, with a brief leave of absence to work in the Illinois Governor’s office on the state’s 5^th-place Phase I Race to the Top application.  He helped develop the state’s performance evaluation reform act and alternative certification legislation that were passed in January 2010, and currently serves on the Governor’s P-20 Council and the state’s Performance Evaluation Advisory Council. He was also recently selected as a 2012 Aspen Institute-NewSchools Entrepreneurial Leaders for Public Education Fellow. John has a Ph.D. and M.A. from Stanford University in education administration and policy analysis.  John is also a District 65 alumnus; he attended Nichols middle school.  Hi lives in Evanston with his wife and two children who attend Lincolnwood Elementary School.

Patricia Maunsell Marketing and Communications Committee Chair, F65 board member since 2006

Pat Maunsell started her career in Washington DC working for advocacy organizations including People for the American Way and the Children’s Defense Fund.  After completing Northwestern University’s Masters of Education and Social Policy program, she taught high school in Chicago and then returned to advocacy work heading up both communications and teaching and learning programs for the Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform.  Pat now consults with education organizations and schools helping them with strategic communications.  She is also involved in several Evanston organizations currently including, Foundation 65, the McGaw YMCA and the Sheil Catholic Center. She is also a past president of the Kingsley PTA and the Cherry Preschool Board of Directors and a Leadership Evanston alum.  Pat and her husband, David, have two terrific children now at Haven Middle School and ETHS.

Rosie Rees Fundraising Committee member, F65 board member since 2007

Rosie Rees is a partner at Pircher, Nichols & Meeks, a real estate law firm in Chicago. The emphasis of her practice is shopping center leasing on behalf of both landlords and tenants. Rosie formerly served on the District 65 school board. She received her J.D., with honors, in 1981 from Loyola University Law School. In 1973, Rosie received her bachelor’s degree, with high honors, from Northeastern Illinois University, where she majored in English, Linguistics, Speech and Theater. Rosie and her husband live in Evanston and their two sons attended Dawes, Chute and Evanston Township High School.

Terri Shepard Board Development Committee Co-Chair, F65 board member since 2006

Terri Shepard is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of US Foodservice. She has served in various positions on the Oakton School PTA, including a 2-year term as PTA President.  Terri served as a District 65 School Board from 1996 – 2000 and was on the board of the School For Little Children – North. She was also a Boy Scotts of America Den Mother for four years. Terri graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University, majoring in History and English. Terri and her husband Lloyd live in Evanston and have raised three children who attended Lincoln, Nichols, Oakton, Chute and ETHS.

Beth Skidmore Board Development Committee member, F65 board member since 2009

Beth Skidmore is an Executive Committee member of the Willard School PTA, where she has been an active member since joining in 2005. She also serves as a project consultant to students in District 202 and has coached softball in the Evanston community. Beth was formerly a Director of National Sales for Hilton Hotels. She has a B.S. in Hotel Restaurant Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Beth and her husband, Tom, live in Evanston with their two children who attend Willard Elementary School.

Yvonne Smith Program Comittee Member, F65 board member since 2009

Yvonne Smith served 32 years in Chicago Public Schools as an elementary school teacher, district level coordinator, and principal for 10 years. Prior to becoming a principal in Chicago, she was an Assistant Principal at King Lab School in Evanston for five years. Since her retirement from CPS in 2005, she has served as a principal resource for the Chicago New Teacher Center, supporting new and veteran principals around teacher induction. Yvonnee also serves as a coach for the Consortium for Educational Change. She is a graduate of Leadership Evanston, and has served on the Evanston Arts Council. Yvonne holds a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in school administration and leadership. Yvonne and her husband, William (Bill) Smith, Jr., live in Evanston with their son who attended Evanston Township High School.

Mike Thomas Fundraising Committee member, F65 board member since 2008

Mike Thomas is a lifelong resident of Evanston and one of the co-founders of the Thomas Team, one of the Chicago area’s most successful real estate brokerage partnerships. Prior to his career in real estate, Mike started two successful businesses, The Unicorn Café in 1991 and Casteel Coffee (a wholesale & retail coffee roasting company) in 1993. Both companies continue to add flavor to the Evanston community. Mike is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  He lives in Evanston with his wife and two daughters who attend Nichols Middle School and ETHS.

George Varela Program Comittee Member, F65 board member since 2009

George Varela is a senior environmental project manager with URS Corporation, an international engineering design firm. He also served on the McGaw YMCA Camp Echo Committee from 2006 through 2008. George received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree from University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Master of Science in Environmental Management degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. George and his wife, Casey, live in Evanston with their two daughters who attend Cherry Preschool and Kingsley Elementary School.

The F65 Board of Directors is comprised of parent and community volunteers.  The Board is diverse and representative of Evanston; we strive to have a mix of new and long-time residents, and residents with children of all ages -- including some not yet in the system and others who have graduated.  All of our Board members are committed to providing the children of Evanston/Skokie D65 with the best in public education.

The F65 Board of Directors meets six times during the year, and committees meet every other month and more frequently as necessary.  Board members sit on one of five committees:  Board Development, Programs, Finance, Fundraising/Development and Communications. 

In addition, the District 65 Superintendent and one school board member is designated as Ex-Officio (non-voting) Members of the Foundation 65 Board.  Both of these positions are largely observational and intended to provide a communications link between F65 and D65.  F65 operates with its own by-laws and is separate and independent of District 65.  While separate entities, the D65 school administration, D65 school board and F65 are most effective when they work collaboratively.

Lise Jinno, Executive Director

Nancy Marshall, Office Manager

Please feel free to contact us at 847-637-7193.