People
It takes a lot of people to make all of the programs at The Conservation Foundation work. We have several full-time and part-time staff members working with a host of community leaders and conservation partners through our Board of Trustees, Advisory Council and Leadership Board along with volunteers from throughout the communities we serve.
![brook-mcdonald](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/brook-mcdonald.jpg)
President/CEO
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/brook-mcdonald.jpg)
Brook McDonald
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/brook-mcdonald.jpg)
President/CEO
630-428-4500
Ext. 112
bmcdonald@theconservationfoundation.org
Since 1996, Brook McDonald has been the President and Chief Executive Officer for The Conservation Foundation, a private not-for-profit land and watershed conservation group based in Naperville, Illinois. The Conservation Foundation focuses on land preservation and watershed protection in the outlying Chicago counties of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will.
In 1997, The Conservation Foundation launched a series of campaigns throughout our region to promote the public acquisition of open space. These campaigns helped raise public funds for open space preservation in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will and DeKalb Counties through the passage of bond referenda. To date, The Conservation Foundation has organized 13 successful referenda campaigns that have raised more than $750 million, preserving 30,000 of land in these counties. Mr. McDonald organized and managed all 13 campaigns.
Mr. McDonald has also been involved in protecting the DuPage River since 1989. He chaired the DuPage River Coalition from 1989 to 1995, and is the past chairman of the DuPage River Watershed Ecosystem Partnership. Mr. McDonald is the principal author of Illinois’ first citizens stream monitoring manual published in 1990.
Mr. McDonald served on the Warrenville Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals from 1993-1996, and sat on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Interpretation from 1994 to 1998. He also served on the board of the Illinois Environmental Council from 1998 to 2001, served as a member of the Kendall County Extension Unit’s Advisory Council, and is a past member of the board for the Campaign for Sensible Growth. He also served for more than 10 years as an appointed member of the DuPage Environmental Commission, served as chairman of the DuPage County Trails Maintenance Task Force, and as the chairman of the DuPage Green Government Council, appointed by the DuPage County Board Chairman. He also served as president of the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, a state-wide association of conservation land trusts.
In 2007, Mr. McDonald was named as one of the top ten most influential environmentalists in DuPage County by the Daily Herald newspaper, and in 2010 was named as a Lincolnland Legend by the Dollars for Scholars Program in Springfield for being a role model for youth.
Mr. McDonald received his M.S. from The Ohio State University in Natural Resources and his B.S. from Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio in Life Sciences, graduating with Distinction and a member of the Science Honorary.
Mr. McDonald has worked for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (IL) as the Public Affairs Director, Wheaton Park District (IL) as the Manager of Interpretation and Natural Resources, Metro Parks of Columbus & Franklin County (OH) as a naturalist, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a Stream Monitoring Coordinator for the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program.
- President/CEO
![Dan Lobbes Website](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dan-Lobbes-Website.jpg)
VP of Land & Watershed Programs
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dan-Lobbes-Website.jpg)
Dan Lobbes
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dan-Lobbes-Website.jpg)
VP of Land & Watershed Programs
630-428-4500
Ext. 104
dlobbes@theconservationfoundation.org
Dan is the Director of Land Protection for The Conservation Foundation. He has been with the Foundation in a variety of capacities since 2001. Dan has worked closely with public agencies and private landowners to preserve more than 3,500 acres of land, worth more than $87 million. Dan and others on staff use a variety of tools to protect land.
Prior to coming to The Conservation Foundation, Dan was the project manager of a new product development group. He spent 15 years with a global manufacturer, bringing projects in on time and on budget.
Dan lives in Batavia with his wife Mary and has two college-age sons, Grant and Ben. In his off time, Dan enjoys running, bicycling and cooking and tries to keep up with home repairs on their 1870s-era house.
- VP of Land & Watershed Programs
![Gindi square small](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Gindi-square-small.jpg)
VP of Finance & Administration
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Gindi-square-small.jpg)
Gindi Orloff
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Gindi-square-small.jpg)
VP of Finance & Administration
630-428-4500
Ext. 124
gorloff@theconservationfoundation.org
Gindi joined The Conservation Foundation in the fall of 2019. After a long tenure in the outdoor recreation industry, she is thrilled to be working for a nonprofit organization where the work is so meaningful.
Gindi graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Finance & International Business degree and Spanish minor. She lives in St Charles with her husband, 2 sons and their menagerie of animals including 3 dogs, a horse and a crested gecko. In her free time she enjoys watching her sons play soccer, horseback riding, running and spending time outside.
- VP of Finance & Administration
![Alison Paul headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Alison-Paul-headshot-e1653077156319.jpg)
VP of Community Conservation
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Alison-Paul-headshot-e1653077156319.jpg)
Alison Paul
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Alison-Paul-headshot-e1653077156319.jpg)
VP of Community Conservation
630-428-4500
Ext. 158
apaul@theconservationfoundation.org
Alison Paul is The Conservation Foundation’s Vice President of Community Conservation. Alison has more than 15 years of experience working in formal and informal educational settings, from Colombia to Chicago, strengthening people’s connections to themselves, others, and the place where they live. Prior to joining TCF, Alison worked at the Field Museum of Natural History’s Keller Science Action Center as a Senior Program Manager for their Chicago Region, guiding and managing their community-based environmental work. In the ten plus years she was at the museum she honed her skills as an environmental educator, program manager, fundraiser, evaluator, facilitator, and leader.
Alison is a National Environmental Leadership Program Fellow and has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters degree in Social & Cultural Foundations in Education from DePaul University. Alison is an active mom of two kids, a certified yoga instructor and Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, and an overall outdoor fanatic.
- VP of Community Conservation
![Abby-Beck-Smaller](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Abby-Beck-Smaller.jpg)
Senior Advancement Officer
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Abby-Beck-Smaller.jpg)
Abby Beck
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Abby-Beck-Smaller.jpg)
Senior Advancement Officer
630-428-4500
Ext. 135
abeck@theconservationfoundation.org
Abby Beck is the Senior Advancement Officer for The Conservation Foundation. Abby holds a bachelor’s in business administration from University of Illinois and a master’s in environmental science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Concerned with urban sprawl’s effects on communities, Abby returned home after graduate school and put her education to work first as an appointed member of the Batavia Environmental Commission and now as an elected member of Batavia’s City Council. She also brings a background in event planning and corporate communications to TCF.
Abby, a fifth generation Batavian, can often be seen around town on her Dutch-style cargo bike with her husband, Jeff, and their three boys; Logan, Elliott and Theodore.
- Senior Advancement Officer
![Russell Cerocke headshot copy](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Russell-Cerocke-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809454118.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Russell-Cerocke-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809454118.jpg)
Russell Cerocke
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Russell-Cerocke-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809454118.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
630-428-4500
rcerocke@theconservationfoundation.org
Russell is currently a student in the online Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences MS program at U of I U.C. and has a B.S. in Forest Resource Mgmt. from SIUC. This is his first season helping on the farm and he is really excited to have a found a place here. He has been gardening for over 10 years now, and loves the idea of growing local, organic veggies for the community. His other interests are in plant, soil, and microbial interactions, both in natural settings and in agriculture. He has worked in nurseries growing native plants for several years and is interested to learn more about organic food production.
- Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![Annalise Chelsen headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CA1BD6AF-60F9-4C8A-A817-1C74E705AA20-scaled-e1652881786819.jpeg)
Mains Intern
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CA1BD6AF-60F9-4C8A-A817-1C74E705AA20-scaled-e1652881786819.jpeg)
Annalise Chelsen
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CA1BD6AF-60F9-4C8A-A817-1C74E705AA20-scaled-e1652881786819.jpeg)
Mains Intern
630-428-4500
Annalise Chelsen is a student at Wheaton College studying Anthropology and Environmental Sustainability. She is delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the work of The Conservation Foundation through this internship.
- Mains Intern
![Nancy Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nancy-Square-e1574782693931.jpg)
Conservation@Home Assistant
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nancy-Square-e1574782693931.jpg)
Nancy Cinatl
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nancy-Square-e1574782693931.jpg)
Conservation@Home Assistant
630-428-4500
Ext. 120
ncinatl@theconservationfoundation.org
Nancy has a background in finance, which she uses to provide bookkeeping services to three watershed workgroups for which The Conservation Foundation provides staffing. Her true love is nature and enjoys consulting with homeowners about native plantings as part of the C@H program as well as leading children on nature hikes with the children’s education programs.
- Conservation@Home Assistant
![Deanna-Doohaluk](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Deanna-Doohaluk.jpg)
Watershed Project Manager, DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Deanna-Doohaluk.jpg)
Deanna Doohaluk
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Deanna-Doohaluk.jpg)
Watershed Project Manager, DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
630-428-4500
Ext. 133
ddoohaluk@theconservationfoundation.org
- Watershed Project Manager, DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
![Ethan Emerson headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ethan_EMERSON_Headshot-e1652881840949.jpg)
Mains Intern
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ethan_EMERSON_Headshot-e1652881840949.jpg)
Ethan Emerson
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ethan_EMERSON_Headshot-e1652881840949.jpg)
Mains Intern
630-428-4500
Ethan Emerson is a The Conservation Foundation Mains Family Intern from Grand Rapids, MI. He is studying Environmental Science and Geology at Wheaton College. Ethan loves to fly fish and climb, ask him about it sometime!
- Mains Intern
![Sheryl Fasone Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sheryl-Fasone-Square.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Program Coordinator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sheryl-Fasone-Square.jpg)
Sheryl Fasone
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sheryl-Fasone-Square.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Program Coordinator
630-428-4500
Ext. 154
sfasone@theconservationfoundation.org
Sheryl joined The Conservation Foundation in the fall of 2019. After spending most of her career as a Client Relationship Manager serving a variety of organizations, she was drawn to The Conservation Foundation and the Green Earth Harvest program because of her love of nature and her dedication to conservation and a healthy-living lifestyle.
Sheryl lives in Lisle with her husband, 3 kids, her dog, Maybel, and cat, Merlin. When she’s not watching her kids’ sporting events, she enjoys playing volleyball, biking, cooking, and volunteering.
- Green Earth Harvest Program Coordinator
![Renae Frigo headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Renae-Frigo-headshot-e1653399754775.jpg)
Land Stewardship Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Renae-Frigo-headshot-e1653399754775.jpg)
Renae Frigo
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Renae-Frigo-headshot-e1653399754775.jpg)
Land Stewardship Manager
630-428-4500
Ext. 159
rfrigo@theconservationfoundation.org
Renae started her career as an environmental educator and naturalist, then switched focus to preserving, restoring, and enhancing natural areas. She has a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Education. Renae lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband, two children, and a lovable mutt. When off the clock, she enjoys hiking, biking, running, xc skiing, gardening, traveling, and volunteering for various eco-efforts.
- Land Stewardship Manager
![Agustin Gonzalez headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Agustin-Gonzalez-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809531758.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Agustin-Gonzalez-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809531758.jpg)
Agustin Gonzalez
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Agustin-Gonzalez-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809531758.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
630-428-4500
agonzalez@theconservationfoundation.org
- Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![Jason Halm Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jason-Halm-Square.jpg)
McDonald Farm Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jason-Halm-Square.jpg)
Jason Halm
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jason-Halm-Square.jpg)
McDonald Farm Manager
630-553-0687
Ext. 151
jhalm@theconservationfoundation.org
- McDonald Farm Manager
![jennifer Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jennifer-Square.jpg)
Land Conservation & Restoration Specialist
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jennifer-Square.jpg)
Jennifer Hammer
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jennifer-Square.jpg)
Land Conservation & Restoration Specialist
630-428-4500
Ext. 114
jhammer@theconservationfoundation.org
Jennifer joined the foundation’s staff in 1998; she earned Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
She has several years of experience at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency where she coordinated various watershed management programs.
She has worked with all federal, state and local government agencies involved in watershed management, as well as numerous citizen-based watershed efforts.
In particular, she has been strongly involved in the development of the Upper DuPage River Watershed Plan.
She has also been involved in the watershed planning processes of numerous other watershed groups including the Blackberry Creek Watershed Planning Committee, Nippersink Creek Watershed Planning Committee, the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, the North Branch Chicago River Watershed Committee, the Salt Creek Watershed Network, the Waubonsie Creek Watershed Resource Planning Committee, and others.
As a result of her past experiences, Jennifer is very knowledgeable of granting opportunities available for watershed protection, the watershed planning process, and data collection techniques.
Jennifer is now part-time and works with Dan Lobbes on coordinating the implementation of the Upper DuPage River Watershed Plan. She is best reached through email at jhammer@theconservationfoundation.org.
- Land Conservation & Restoration Specialist
![Alex Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Alex-Square-scaled.jpg)
Environmental Scientist
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Alex-Square-scaled.jpg)
Alex Handel
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Alex-Square-scaled.jpg)
Environmental Scientist
630-428-4500
Ext. 156
ahandel@theconservationfoundation.org
Alex works as an environmental scientist and provides technical and field support for the watershed team and for the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup, Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition, and the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group. Alex has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Iowa State University. Prior to The Conservation Foundation, he has worked as a lab and field technician for a wetlands research lab, and was a program director at a youth camp teaching wildlife conservation.
- Environmental Scientist
![Cassie Hatzfeld headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cassie-2022-scaled.jpg)
Volunteer Coordinator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cassie-2022-scaled.jpg)
Cassie Hatzfeld
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cassie-2022-scaled.jpg)
Volunteer Coordinator
630-428-4500
Ext. 157
chatzfeld@theconservationfoundation.org
Cassie Hatzfeld’s interest and passion for being outside sprouted at an early age. Cassie remembers spending her early days outdoors with family and friends in a small town in New Jersey, and special vacations at the beach. Cassie was fortunate to foster this love of the environment and earned her B.S. in Environmental Science at Loyola University Chicago. Before moving to Oswego in 2016, Cassie spent seven years in Chicago working with a team to develop the Volunteer Program in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the largest urban forest preserve in the country. She has over ten year of experience getting volunteers active and involved in the green spaces around them. Cassie is energetic about volunteering and committed to nature. She believes a strong volunteer program is a fantastic way to connect people with the environment and their community and can also build a lifelong tie to an organization. As an active mother of three adventurous boys, she gets to witness the power of nature every day.
- Volunteer Coordinator
![Eric Izzo headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Eric-2022-scaled.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Eric-2022-scaled.jpg)
Eric Izzo
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Eric-2022-scaled.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
630-428-4500
eizzo@theconservationfoundation.org
Eric was born and raised in Naperville, and lives near McDonald Farm. He attended Naperville North High School and the University of Illinois in Champaign, graduating with a bachelors in finance.
He was a shareholder of Green Earth Harvest and volunteered many mornings at the farm before work. He got to know the farm crew, the organization, and the farm itself. He’s excited to work on this land, with these people, as a part of The Conservation Foundation.
- Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![joe](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/joe.jpg)
Environmental Educator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/joe.jpg)
Joe Jakupcak
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/joe.jpg)
Environmental Educator
630-428-4500
jjakupcak@theconservationfoundation.org
- Environmental Educator
![Jill Johnson headshot picture](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jill-Johnson-headshot-e1652733856674.jpg)
Communications Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jill-Johnson-headshot-e1652733856674.jpg)
Jill Johnson
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jill-Johnson-headshot-e1652733856674.jpg)
Communications Manager
630-428-4500
Ext. 105
jjohnson@theconservationfoundation.org
After serving as Office Manager and Development and Program Associate, Jill Johnson is now the Marketing Communications Manager at The Conservation Foundation. Jill is managing editor of The Heron magazine, manages our website and media outreach, and works very closely with other members of our Development team to plan major events, work on donor stewardship, and collaborate on organization communications.
She also assists program staff in promoting their programs and planning events and seminars.
Jill is a graduate of North Central College in Naperville with degrees in Sociology and Religious Studies and following graduation worked there as an Admission Counselor before joining the TCF staff. She grew up on a farm near Yorkville and is the daughter of Bonnie (Henne) Johnson, who is a member of The Conservation Foundation’s Advisory Council. A native of Kendall County, Jill lives with her husband Jeff and their young daughters Adelaide and Ferne in the small Kendall County town of Newark. Jill enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, antiquing and road trips, especially to the Rocky Mountains.
- Communications Manager
![Jim Kleinwachter](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Jim-Kleinwachter.jpeg)
Conservation@Home Program Director
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Jim-Kleinwachter.jpeg)
Jim Kleinwachter
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Jim-Kleinwachter.jpeg)
Conservation@Home Program Director
630-428-4500
Ext. 115
jkleinwachter@theconservationfoundation.org
Jim attended St. Francis High School, Benedictine University, and then earned an MBA in Marketing from National University. Anyone that knows Jim knows of his passion for the environment.
Jim began his relationship with The Conservation Foundation as a volunteer. In his volunteer efforts, Jim helped organize the annual DuPage River Sweep since its inception in 1991. In fact, he was organizing DuPage river clean ups in Warrenville prior to the Foundation’s involvement. Since then, he has worked on prairie and wetland restoration projects at Warrenville’s Johnson School and on several educational endeavors of the Foundation. Jim is also the recipient of the 1999 Paul Butler Memorial Award presented by The Conservation Foundation for outstanding volunteer service.
In 2004, Jim joined the staff becoming the new Land Preservation Specialist for The Conservation Foundation. Jim now works to preserve land as open space. In that duty, Jim works with government agencies and private landowners to negotiate open space purchases, facilitate land donations and conservation easements. He lectures all over the region on local environmental issues, and actively works with homeowners and business property owners to improve the environmental conditions of their sites. The Conservation@Home program was his idea, teaching about sustainable landscaping practices, he currently manages the program.
- Conservation@Home Program Director
![Connie Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Connie-Square.jpg)
Environmental Educator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Connie-Square.jpg)
Connie Kollmeyer
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Connie-Square.jpg)
Environmental Educator
630-428-4500
ckollmeyer@theconservationfoundation.org
- Environmental Educator
![na07_mccracken_p2.jpg](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/McCracken.jpg)
Director of DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/McCracken.jpg)
Stephen McCracken
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/McCracken.jpg)
Director of DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
630-428-4500
Ext. 118
smccracken@theconservationfoundation.org
Stephen McCracken is the Director of Watershed Protection for The Conservation Foundation. Stephen works primarily on our DuPage River and DuPage County watershed and water quality projects. This includes administering the DuPage River Coalition, the TMDL workgroup (a technical group assessing the health of the DuPage River and Salt Creek), dam modification efforts, thorium removal public education and the revision of the DuPage River Watershed Plan. Stephen also works with the Salt Creek Watershed Network and other watershed groups.
That’s a lot, even for a person as talented as Stephen. He has a master’s degree in Applied Environmental Economics, a second master’s degree in Natural Resource Management (specializing in water resources), and a bachelor’s degree in Geoscience. He has worked for a land trust in Massachusetts, a consulting firm doing environmental and sustainability work in West Africa and other countries, and on his family farm in Ireland.
Stephen and his wife Jennifer live in Willow Springs with their son Henry and daughter Maeve.
- Director of DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup
![Alli McIlvain headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Alli-McIlvain-headshot.png)
Digital Marketing Coordinator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Alli-McIlvain-headshot.png)
Alli McIlvain
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Alli-McIlvain-headshot.png)
Digital Marketing Coordinator
630-428-4500
Ext. 116
amcilvain@theconservationfoundation.org
Alli McIlvain is the Digital Marketing Specialist at The Conservation Foundation. She attended the University of Illinois where she attained a bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a minor in Earth, Society and Environmental Sustainability. Prior to joining The Conservation Foundation, Alli’s worked at both a leading marketing agency and an in-house marketing team.
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
![Hanna Miller headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hanna-Miller-Square.jpg)
Watershed Product Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hanna-Miller-Square.jpg)
Hanna Miller
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hanna-Miller-Square.jpg)
Watershed Product Manager
630-428-4500
Ext. 108
hmiller@theconservationfoundation.org
Hanna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences from Hamilton College and prior to joining The Conservation Foundation she worked in stormwater management for a municipality in North Carolina. Hanna loves everything about water and is excited to help protect and preserve our local waterways!
Hanna lives in Brookfield with her husband, two dogs, and cat. In her free time, she loves hiking and camping with friends and family, cooking, and woodworking.
- Watershed Product Manager
![Jessica Mino headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jessica-2022-scaled.jpg)
Kane & Kendall County Program Director
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jessica-2022-scaled.jpg)
Jessica Mino
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jessica-2022-scaled.jpg)
Kane & Kendall County Program Director
630-428-4500
Ext. 106
jmino@theconservationfoundation.org
Jessica is the Kane and Kendall County Program Director for The Conservation Foundation. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Environmental & Civil Engineering. She worked as an environmental engineer in the water quality and remediation field before transitioning to conservation. She then received a Master’s degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and worked for Kane County in the Division of Environmental and Water Resources before coming to The Conservation Foundation. Jessica is passionate about connecting people with the beauty and benefits of nature, and encouraging people to care for our environment which we are all a part of.
She lives in Woodstock with her husband, Kyle. They enjoy any chance to get outdoors: gardening, camping, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, and doing home renovations together.
- Kane & Kendall County Program Director
![Chuck Morrison headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chuck-Morrison-headshot-scaled-e1653406261431.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chuck-Morrison-headshot-scaled-e1653406261431.jpg)
Chuck Morrison
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chuck-Morrison-headshot-scaled-e1653406261431.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
630-428-4500
cmorrison@theconservationfoundation.org
Chuck is a Bolingbrook resident, having graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2013. He went to Saint Joseph’s college in Rensselaer, Indiana where he played football for 4 years and received his Bachelor’s in Sociology. While studying at Saint Joe’s, he discovered a passion for art, and, more specifically, ceramics. He has continued to explore his passion for art by taking classes at the College of DuPage, building his skill set and portfolio, in order to pursue a Master’s in Fine Arts, which will allow him to teach ceramics at the college level. In the mean time, he’s honored and fortunate for the opportunity to work here at the farm. He’s had a deep desire to reconnect with the land and thinks this is a great way to do that. Along with teaching ceramics, he hopes to have his own farm one day and is excited to be able to start learning about farming and how to work the land.
- Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![Tara Neff headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tara-2022-scaled.jpg)
Will County Program Director
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tara-2022-scaled.jpg)
Tara Neff
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tara-2022-scaled.jpg)
Will County Program Director
630-428-4500
tneff@theconservationfoundation.org
Tara rejoined The Conservation Foundation in 2022 as Will County Program Director after a four-year term with the City of Aurora’s Community Development Division. A Northern Illinois University graduate, she earned a BS in Organizational/Corporate Communications and is an enthusiastic collaborator with insatiable curiosity. Tara’s love for our land and water resources stems from a childhood filled with camping, canoeing, and campfires and annual trips to a family dairy farm in Wisconsin filled with cows, cousins, and cats. Today, Tara hates nature because she is allergic to pretty much everything, but still enjoys hiking and drinking clean water!
- Will County Program Director
![maura](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maura.jpg)
Environmental Educator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maura.jpg)
Maura Neuffer
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maura.jpg)
Environmental Educator
630-428-4500
mneuffer@theconservationfoundation.org
Maura has been an Environmental Educator with The Conservation Foundation for ten years. She brings a broad background of educational experience to the organization, and a passion for serving individuals with diverse learning needs.
For five years Maura worked as Naturalist at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center where she designed and taught nature programs for all ages. She led community volunteers on monthly restoration workdays, adding to the native plant biodiversity of the 67-acre site. Maura was awarded the City of Elgin Sustainability Honor Roll Award in 2017.
She earned her Interpretive Naturalist Certificate from The Morton Arboretum where she worked as a Naturalist Guide leading school programs from preschool through grade 12. She volunteered as a frog monitor and continues as a volunteer for the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring network at the Morton Arboretum.
Maura holds degrees from UC Berkeley in Development Studies, and a M.S. Ed. from Northern Illinois University in Special Education, K-12. Maura is a National Association of Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide.
Currently Maura lives in Lisle with her husband, David. When Maura is not working, she enjoys hiking, and birding.
- Environmental Educator
![Lisa O'Brien headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lisa-e1655410029900.jpg)
Environmental Educator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lisa-e1655410029900.jpg)
Lisa O’Brien
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lisa-e1655410029900.jpg)
Environmental Educator
630-428-4500
lobrien@theconservationfoundation.org
Lisa O’Brien is an Environmental Educator with The Conservation Foundation. She taught high school science (Chemistry and Environmental Science) before becoming a naturalist. Her expertise is in environmental education in schools. She has developed and taught programs for pre-school and K-12 classrooms and has a passion for engaging everyone in her love for nature.
Lisa has volunteered and served on the Boards for the Youth Symphony of DuPage and HorsePower Therapeutic Riding. She is on the leadership team for Kane County Certified Naturalists and strives to use her talents to help causes which support education and environmental awareness.
Ms. O’Brien has two daughters and resides in DuPage county with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking and riding her horse.
- Environmental Educator
![Amy square small](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Amy-square-small.jpg)
Youth Programs Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Amy-square-small.jpg)
Amy Phillips
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Amy-square-small.jpg)
Youth Programs Manager
630-428-4500
Ext. 113
aphillips@theconservationfoundation.org
Amy Phillips is the Youth Programs Manager for The Conservation Foundation. After working as an architect and sustainability consultant for many years, she made the leap to lend her talents toward nature interpretation and education, leveraging her background in design and sustainability toward inspiring the next generation. In addition to Masters degrees in Architecture and Business Administration, she holds a Master of Science in Biomimicry, an interpretive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) field that educates and inspires designers to rethink the decisions they make by learning from nature. She is a NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, Network Co-Leader at Biomimicry Chicago, and recipient of the 2015 Green Mind Award for Educational Advocacy from the Urban Green Alliance. Amy is honored to collaborate with some of the best environmental educators in our area and looks forward to growing the educational offerings at the McDonald Farm and throughout the Chicago region. Amy and her husband David are raising their son and daughter in Naperville and keep busy with their activities, caring for their Conservation@Home-certified yard, their seven backyard chickens and two dogs.
- Youth Programs Manager
![Lea square small](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Lea-square-small.jpg)
Communication Specialist
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Lea-square-small.jpg)
Lea Rodbarry
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Lea-square-small.jpg)
Communication Specialist
630-428-4500
Ext. 109
lrodbarry@theconservationfoundation.org
Lea Rodbarry is a Communication Specialist for The Conservation Foundation. Lea creates education and outreach materials for the Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition and Lower Des Plaines River Work Group. She also produces videos and graphics for the whole organization.
Lea earned her bachelor’s degree in Film with a minor in Environmental Policy & Culture from Northwestern University.
- Communication Specialist
![Jan Website](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jan-Website.jpg)
DuPage County Program Director
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jan-Website.jpg)
Jan Roehll
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jan-Website.jpg)
DuPage County Program Director
630-428-4500
Ext. 121
jroehll@theconservationfoundation.org
Jan graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Before coming to The Conservation Foundation, she worked for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. She first developed the master plans for the preserves and she was responsible for the planning and development of the trail system in the preserves. She then transitioned into land acquisition where she directed the department until 2001. At that time, she left the Forest Preserve District to raise her two children.
In 2011, Jan started doing volunteer work at The Conservation Foundation and was then hired in 2012 as the DuPage County Program Director. Through two grants, she worked with government agencies to develop an open space plan for DuPage County. She has transitioned into working with DuPage County Stormwater Management on their many programs, workshops and seminars to improve water quality in the county.
She is now working to implement the open space plan, by contacting property owners to see if they have an interest in preserving their property. Jan loves to be outdoors working in her gardens or hiking and biking in the preserves and parks.
- DuPage County Program Director
![Carrie Website](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Carrie-Website.jpg)
Member Services Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Carrie-Website.jpg)
Carrie Thompson
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Carrie-Website.jpg)
Member Services Manager
630-428-4500
Ext. 110
cthompson@theconservationfoundation.org
Carrie works part time as our Member Services Manager where she manages our membership database and assists with donor stewardship activities as well as the management of many aspects of our special events. Carrie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Northern Illinois University. Prior to joining The Conservation Foundation, she worked as the Office Manager for Planning Resources Inc. in Wheaton.
On any given day in the office you might hear Carrie whistling the theme to the “A-Team” or singing whatever tune pops into her head (and there are a LOT of them). She is a lifelong resident of Warrenville and lives with her husband Alasdair and two kids on the banks of the beautiful DuPage River. She loves sharing the endless parade of wildlife in her yard with her family….though she could really do without the dog getting skunked.
- Member Services Manager
![Mac Thompson headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mac-Thompson-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809655244.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mac-Thompson-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809655244.jpg)
Mac Thompson
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mac-Thompson-headshot-copy-scaled-e1654809655244.jpg)
Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
630-428-4500
mthompson@theconservationfoundation.org
Mac has been a part of McDonald Farm his whole life. Between growing up with his Mom (Carrie Thompson), and being around the farm, Mac has learned the values of nature and sustainability. He is super excited to be starting a more inclusive role in the Green Earth Harvest and is looking forward to learning more about agriculture.
Mac is an incoming Junior at Wheaton Warrenville South. This is his second year at the farm, and you might recognize him from last year’s farm stands.
- Green Earth Harvest Farm Crew
![Jessica Valete headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_1113-e1652881861709.jpg)
Mains Intern
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_1113-e1652881861709.jpg)
Jessica Valete
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_1113-e1652881861709.jpg)
Mains Intern
630-428-4500
Jess joined The Conservation Foundation as an intern in the spring of 2022. She is a junior at North Central College in Naperville, IL majoring in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Sustainability and Sustainable business. When not in class or at work, you can find her hiking with her dog, Doc Holliday.
- Mains Intern
![Carolyn Wagner square small](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Carolyn-Wagner-square-small.jpg)
Mighty Acorns® Program Coordinator
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Carolyn-Wagner-square-small.jpg)
Carolyn Wagner
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Carolyn-Wagner-square-small.jpg)
Mighty Acorns® Program Coordinator
630-428-4500
Ext. 111
cwagner@theconservationfoundation.org
Carolyn Wagner is the Mighty Acorns Program Coordinator, whose program provides children opportunities to make nature connections through exploration and community based stewardship. Carolyn has been involved in Mighty Acorns at The Conservation Foundation for over 20 years, starting as a volunteer in 1998 before becoming an employee.
Carolyn received a B.S. in Botany from Iowa State University and a Master’s of Science in Secondary Education from Northern Illinois University. She began her career in education as high school biology teacher, but the outdoors beckoned. Before landing at The Conservation Foundation, she was fortunate to have worked alongside highly respected scientists and educators at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Lincoln Park Zoo, Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Madison, WI), and The Morton Arboretum.
Carolyn lives in Naperville with her husband John and two cats. They have three adult children- Ted, Laura, and Julianne, as well as a daughter –in-law Becky. Carolyn loves to cook, garden, read, travel, and explore natural areas.
- Mighty Acorns® Program Coordinator
![jackson](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jackson.jpg)
Assistant Farm Manager
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jackson.jpg)
Jackson Yow
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jackson.jpg)
Assistant Farm Manager
630-428-4500
jyow@theconservationfoundation.org
- Assistant Farm Manager
![Christopher-Burke](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Christopher-Burke.jpg)
Chairman
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Christopher-Burke.jpg)
Dr. Christopher Burke
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Christopher-Burke.jpg)
Chairman
Burke brings to the board a perspective of land use and stormwater management, helps us strengthen relations with the development community, and with numerous water-related restoration projects of the Foundation.
“I have always admired the work of The Conservation Foundation and how they work quietly behind the scenes to get things done,” Burke said. “I am very excited about helping to increase the Foundation’s capacity to preserve more land and clean up our rivers.”
- Chairman
![nancy-hopp](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/nancy-hopp.jpg)
Vice Chairman
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/nancy-hopp.jpg)
Nancy Hopp
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/nancy-hopp.jpg)
Vice Chairman
Nancy Hopp of Aurora, a long-time member of The Conservation Foundation, is a former trustee and treasurer for the Fox Valley Park District. Her professional background is in marketing and public relations. After retiring from Dreyer Medical Clinic in 2007, she completed an illustrated biography about pioneering Fox Valley artist Ruth Van Sickle Ford, which she self-published in 2011 under the business name PenWorks Press.
Nancy holds a B.A. (Social Sciences) and an M.S. (Business Management) from Aurora University. She has been an active community volunteer for 40 years. “Over the years, I was lucky to be involved in the development of the student nature trail at Waubonsee Community College, the walking path around Mercy Center hospital, and the renovation of the Healing Garden at Dreyer.”
Nancy lives in Aurora in her childhood home. She has a grown son and 5 grandchildren, for whom she has penned more than 40 short stories. The whole family enjoys water sports, the cultural arts, and the great outdoors.
“The Conservation Foundation gives me the opportunity to be active in programs for children, ones that get kids outside, that will make a difference in the future. I also love the partnerships and collaborations. We can do so much more if we work together.”
- Vice Chairman
![Thomas-Schneider](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Thomas-Schneider.jpg)
Treasurer
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Thomas-Schneider.jpg)
Thomas Schneider
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Thomas-Schneider.jpg)
Treasurer
Thomas Schneider, joined The Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2008. Recently retired after 38 years with Molex where he ascended to the position of vice president, Tom was also a member of the Molex Executive Lead Team.
Tom graduated from Bradley University with a degree in mechanical engineering and lives with his wife, Marge, in Naperville.
- Treasurer
![tom-bennington](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/tom-bennington.jpg)
Secretary
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/tom-bennington.jpg)
Tom Bennington
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/tom-bennington.jpg)
Secretary
Thomas F. Bennington, Jr., an attorney and partner with Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop, concentrates his practice in business sales and purchases, commercial real estate, business succession planning, and related wills and trusts.
Tom has served the public in both civic and charitable activities, and has served as a board member and executive committee member for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, a board member and President for the Boy Scouts of America, Des Plaines Valley Council, board member for the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and as committee chair for Boy Scout Troop 99 in Downers Grove.
During Tom’s legal career, he has served many civic and charitable organizations, bringing his legal and political experience to positions that include commissioner, president, chair, board member, or volunteer. Tom served as a County Board Member for DuPage County, Illinois from 1998 – 2010 and as a Commissioner for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. In these roles, Tom made land acquisition, policy, personnel, and budgetary decisions for organizations that had combined budgets of over $600 million per year and over 2,000 employees. During Tom’s time on the Forest Preserve Commission, land acquisition was a priority made possible, in part, by the efforts of The Conservation Foundation. While serving on the DuPage County Board, Tom spearheaded the development and creation of the Southern DuPage Regional Trail, a 46 mile multi-use trail system which connects 11 communities across the southern half of DuPage County.
“The mission of The Conservation Foundation is near and dear to my heart. I grew up downstate along the Illinois River and I&M Canal, where open space was taken for granted. After moving to the suburbs and commuting to Chicago on a daily basis, I felt disconnected from the benefits which open space and interaction with the environment provide. While on the Forest Preserve Commission of DuPage County and DuPage County Board, I was able to reconnect with my open space roots and help drive open space preservation, the development of multi-use trail systems and environmental awareness and education in DuPage County. During that time, I became familiar with The Conservation Foundation and became a ‘true believer’ in its work. I am honored to be part of The Conservation Foundation, its mission, and its past and future impact on northeastern Illinois and its residents.”
Tom is an avid outdoorsman, who spends his time with his 3 adult Eagle Scout sons and his wonderful and patient spouse, Tracy, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing.
- Secretary
![John-Binneboese](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/John-Binneboese.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/John-Binneboese.jpg)
John Binneboese
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/John-Binneboese.jpg)
Trustee
John Binneboese was born, raised, and currently lives in Itasca with wife Julie. He is the Senior Vice President of Itasca Bank & Trust Co. where he has worked since 1978. He is active in the community as a former member of the Board of Governors of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, and Lake Park High School Educational Foundation. He also volunteers on local boards and commissions and is an Eagle Scout. Mr. Binneboese holds a BS degree with advanced degrees from American Institute of Banking, U of Colorado and U of Wisconsin-Madison. He has an avid interest in nature and an ambition to become Master Gardener.
“While reaching Eagle Scout, I developed a deep respect and love for the great outdoors and its preservation. Being part of the Foundation, I will try and draw on that emotion in support of the great works it performs, while learning about what more I can do to better the places I live.”
- Trustee
![Lulu Blacksmith Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Lulu-Blacksmith-Square-e1592848022333.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Lulu-Blacksmith-Square-e1592848022333.jpg)
Dr. Lourdes “Lulu” Blacksmith
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Lulu-Blacksmith-Square-e1592848022333.jpg)
Trustee
Lulu Blacksmith lives in Elburn, IL, located in Kane County. She is the Associate Director of Students Services and Development at Elgin Community College, and formerly worked as the Dean of Student and Community Engagement at Waubonsee Community College. She serves and has served on several boards and committees throughout the Fox Valley, including Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Companeros en Salud/Partners en Health (Founder), and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. She has been on the board of The Conservation Foundation since 2020.
- Trustee
![pete-connolly](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/pete-connolly.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/pete-connolly.jpg)
Pete Connolly
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/pete-connolly.jpg)
Trustee
Pete was raised in Southwestern Ohio and moved to the Chicagoland area after receiving his BS in Finance from Wright State University. He enjoyed a 40-year career in banking starting as a federal bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and retiring from JPMorgan Chase Bank after 34-years in commercial banking with Chase and its predecessors in the Chicago suburbs. During this time he was active in various civic/business organizations including a term as President of the 1,000 member Northwest Suburban Association of Commerce and Industry.
Pete and his wife Kathie moved to Wayne 18-years ago and he was recently reelected to his 5th four-year term as a Village Trustee. He is a member of the Wayne-DuPage Hunt, the Wayne Area Conservation Foundation and is a volunteer with the Wayne Historic Preservation Society in their project to restore the historic Wayne Depot. He enjoys golf, horseback riding, the outdoors, playing with his 20 month old first grandson and is excited to be working with The Conservation Foundation.
- Trustee
![Jane Davis headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Jane-Davis-600x600-1-e1653404467936.png)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Jane-Davis-600x600-1-e1653404467936.png)
Dr. Jane Davis
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Jane-Davis-600x600-1-e1653404467936.png)
Trustee
Born and raised in Big Rock and lives in Aurora, IL (Kane County). She is married with two adult sons. She is the Corkum Distinguished Professor and Chair of Human Animal Studies at Aurora University. Dr. Davis is a veterinarian, and serves as the Deputy Director of Kane County Animal Control. Her degrees include a DVM and Masters from the University of Illinois, where she also completed an internship and residency. She has been honored with several teaching and service awards. She has been a TCF Board member since 2022.
- Trustee
![Dave Gorman Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dave-Gorman-Square.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dave-Gorman-Square.jpg)
Dave Gorman
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dave-Gorman-Square.jpg)
Trustee
Dave Gorman spent much of his childhood in south suburban Sauk Trail Woods searching for and bringing home plenty of frogs, snakes, turtles and wild onions. That and other early experiences instilled in him a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He has also paddled many of the navigable waters in Northeastern Illinois, and happily fills his canoe with trash each year during the DuPage River Sweep.
Dave is a civil engineer, working as the Assistant Director of Public Works for the Village of Lombard. He has led the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup as President since 2012, working closely with The Conservation Foundation’s staff to improve our local waterways. He previously worked in floodplain management, public water regulations, and dam safety for the Illinois DNR, aside other state agencies and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The first few years of his career was as a Peace Corps volunteer, building rural community infrastructure and leading other development programs in the Kingdom of Lesotho in Southern Africa.
As an endurance runner and biker, Dave greatly appreciates the mindfulness achievable in those activities. His project “Bikes for Lesotho” has sent over 6,000 bikes to orphans and others in poverty, and has been instrumental to develop a cycling culture there. He also serves as Board Secretary of Working Bikes, a nonprofit in Chicago that has grown since 1999 to annually collect and redistribute over 12,000 used bikes for people in need around Chicagoland and internationally.
Dave summarizes his environmental ethic in this way: “What we do today has an impact on at least the next seven generations. That’s a serious responsibility, and also a great opportunity. The Conservation Foundation is uniquely able to protect local open spaces for us and for them. Rolling up our collective sleeves and getting to work on that is extremely satisfying!”
- Trustee
![JohnGormley800](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JohnGormley800.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JohnGormley800.jpg)
John Gormley
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JohnGormley800.jpg)
Trustee
John Gormley is CEO of the 19,000-member Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, headquartered in Downers Grove. Mainstreet is the largest local real estate association in Illinois and seventh-largest in the U.S.
John has 33 years’ experience in association management. His first association job was with the Louisiana Forestry Association, from 1987-89.
He has a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree from Texas State University.
“I’m excited to serve on the The Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees because the work and impacts are long-term,” said John. “The Conservation Foundation’s mission, preserving land for the enjoyment of future generations, is critically important.”
- Trustee
![Erik Gullickson headshot](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2234-Erik-scaled-e1654268547410.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2234-Erik-scaled-e1654268547410.jpg)
Erik Gullickson
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2234-Erik-scaled-e1654268547410.jpg)
Trustee
Erik Gullickson: Lives in Crystal Lake (Kane/McHenry) with his wife Katy and children. Financial Advisor, Raymond James Financial Services and President, Gullickson Tax Services. Member various nonprofit boards and volunteer. Chair of TCF Next Gen Advisory Council and Past President of the Dundee Twp. Rotary. Volunteer with Friends of the Fox River and Environmental Law & Policy Center. Avid artist, fisherman, hiker. Aurora University, B.A. Business. TCF Board since 2022.
- Trustee
![Dave-Hulseberg](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dave-Hulseberg.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dave-Hulseberg.jpg)
Dave Hulseberg
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dave-Hulseberg.jpg)
Trustee
David Hulseberg is president/CEO of Seize the Future Development Foundation. Prior to leading Seize the Future, David was with the Village of Lombard, initially as assistant village manager/director of community development and most recently as village manager.
During his tenure with the Village of Lombard, David was instrumental in expanding the Village’s hotel and restaurant industries, increasing federal and state grants, progressive strategic planning, and integrating new technology into Village government operations. Previous to the Village of Lombard, David held positions with the Village of Mount Prospect and the Village of Arlington Heights in Illinois and the Town of Millbury in Massachusetts. He also served in the United States Army and as a congressional aide in the First Congressional District of Massachusetts for the United States House of Representatives.
David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Westfield State University in Westfield, MA and a Masters of Public Administration degree with a concentration in urban management from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He holds credentials as a certified city manager from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification from the American Planning Association.
- Trustee
![Robert-Hutchinson](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Robert-Hutchinson.jpg)
Trustee
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Robert Hutchinson
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Trustee
Robert Hutchinson is the President of Wheaton Bank and Trust a Wintrust Community Bank. In addition to The Conservation Foundation, he serves on the board of Choose DuPage, College of DuPage Foundation, and The Wetlands Initiative. He likes to bird-watch, golf, and fly-fish, and is a great wildlife artist. Robert has been on the board at The Conservation Foundation since 1995 and formerly served as the board chairman. He is a lifelong DuPage County resident and currently lives in Wheaton.
- Trustee
![Susan-Jayne](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Susan-Jayne.jpg)
Trustee
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Susan Jayne
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Trustee
Elgin resident Susan Jayne has been a member of The Conservation Foundation for nearly 20 years, and we are honored to have her on our Board of Trustees. Sue was first introduced to the concept of conservation while participating in the Wayne DuPage Hunt with Brooks McCormick, one of the original founders of The Conservation Foundation.
“I look forward to learning from the experience of the staff and my fellow Board of Trustees members, and to working to bring along the next generation,” Sue said. “By engaging young conservationists in the world of nature, we can encourage a new generation of stewardship. I hope to build an awareness of the great work of this amazing team and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Sue has been an active member of our Kane County Advisory Council since 2004, is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Illinois Fox Valley SHRM Chapter, and is President of the Hound Heritage Foundation.
She attended the University of Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration, Administrative Management degree, and has been certified as Senior Professional in Human Resources since 2000.
Sue is currently a Manager, Talent Acquisition with KPMG, with previous recruiting experience at Starbucks Coffee Company, Deloitte and Arthur Andersen.
- Trustee
![Carole-Koch](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Carole-Koch.jpg)
Trustee
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Carole Koch
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Trustee
Carole Koch, former chairperson of The Green Earth Institute, has joined the board of The Conservation Foundation, following a merger of the two conservation organizations in January of 2018.
Carole, who lives in Naperville, has been with Green Earth Institute since 2003 and in addition to volunteering, has served on its board of directors as well as producing marketing materials for the Community Supported Agriculture program.
She has worked as director of human resources at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, and as Chief HR Officer/Associate Hospital Director at the U of I Medical Center in Chicago. Carole was a volunteer docent for 10 years at the Robert McCormick Museum, Cantigny Park, in Wheaton, and served on the board of directors for the Naperville Chorus for three years.
Carole received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is a native Chicagoan who says she moved to the suburbs 38 years ago to escape the concrete.
“The local population was a mere 44,000 then, so I’ve seen first-hand how quickly open land can disappear and just how important it is to protect both our land and our rivers,” she said.
As far as what she hopes to accomplish as a trustee, she says there is much to learn and there are many opportunities in which to be involved.
“I will be focused on supporting the smooth transition of the Green Earth Institute into The Conservation Foundation,” says Carole. “I have been very impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and find the new Nature Rx initiative of particular interest.”
- Trustee
![Julie-Long](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Julie-Long.jpg)
Trustee
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Julie Long
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Trustee
Julie Long has been a long-time supporter of The Conservation Foundation and was also involved with Fox Valley Land Foundation, which merged with The Conservation Foundation in 2007.
She is currently working as a monitor on Ferson Creek and is a certified naturalist. Long is an active volunteer for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District, and the Kane County Audubon Society. She also has helped The Conservation Foundation pass three open space referenda with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
Julie graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and lives with her husband Dan in St. Charles.
- Trustee
![Joe-Mikan](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Joe-Mikan.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Joe-Mikan.jpg)
Joe Mikan
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Trustee
Joe Mikan is a lifelong resident of Will County and a former Will County Executive and Forest Preserve Commissioner. He spearheaded an initiative to create a new comprehensive land use plan for Will County which received the Burnham award for creativity, and became familiar with The Conservation Foundation through their involvement in this process. Joe played a significant role in passing the 2005 successful open space referendum in Will County, co-chairing the campaign committee under the Foundation’s leadership.
Both his personal and professional lives have made Joe aware of the pressures on natural resources and the need to protect them, so it was an easy sell when he was approached to join The Conservation Foundation’s Board. “I’m the third generation of my family to live in Will County. I’ve seen the changes that uncontrolled growth brings to the area, and while I’m not against growth, I certainly know there are better ways to do it than some of the ways it is currently being done.”
Joe brings a visionary yet practical perspective to the Board of Trustees. “I would like to see The Conservation Foundation continue the transition from a DuPage organization to a Northeastern Illinois regional organization,” says Joe. “I think the organization just gets stronger by spreading out and making more communities feel that they are part of the Foundation. That’s going to be easy to do as growth continues. These other communities will feel the need for the Foundation and the expertise the staff brings to them and I think it’s going to be exciting to be a part of all of that.”
An avid outdoorsman and golfer, Joe currently runs the family insurance business, which has been serving the community since 1921, and is also a farm owner. He has practiced the message he preaches by placing the streams and wetlands on his 160-acre Iowa farm into conservation programs. He is a graduate of North Central College in Naperville and he and his wife Lynn have raised their three sons in his hometown of Lockport.
- Trustee
![Jeanette Press 2021 Square](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jeanette-Press-2021-Square.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jeanette-Press-2021-Square.jpg)
Jeanette Press
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Trustee
Jeanette Press joined the Board of Trustees of The Conservation Foundation in March 2018.
Jeanette is Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer for CMC Materials, leading the company’s global finance organization.
Prior to CMC Materials, Jeanette served as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Univar Solutions and USG Corporation. Jeanette joined USG from the audit practice at KPMG LLP, where she spent more than 13 years serving both public and private, multinational corporations. While at KPMG, she spent three years in the firm’s national office in New York City, advising the firm’s audit and advisory professionals and clients on the application of accounting principles, Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, risk management and independence matters.
Jeanette graduated magnum cum laude from Loyola University with a degree in accounting and she is a licensed CPA. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the Loyola University Accounting Advisory Board.
“I’m happy to be part of an organization whose goal is to save open spaces,” Jeanette said. “It’s where I love to be. It’s part of what we enjoy about living in the suburbs.”
She said she loves open space and feels it is an important area of pride for a community, and she hopes to get younger constituents involved in preserving land and to get them to know about The Conservation Foundation’s mission. Jeanette feels there is wide reaching impact and immeasurable value in the Foundation’s mission to preserve land and restore rivers and streams since the benefit reaches everyone. She, her husband, Dave, and dog, Clive, live in Lisle.
- Trustee
![lois](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lois.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lois.jpg)
Lois Vitt-Sale
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Trustee
Lois Vitt Sale of Downers Grove brings her expertise in sustainable architecture to our Board. Lois is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Wight & Company, and in her 25 years as an architect has completed more than 70 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects, including Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago.
Lois is also the lead architect of the brand new Knoch Knolls Nature Center, located just across from our McDonald Farm in south Naperville.. And to add to her list of accolades, Lois is a LEED Faculty member with the U.S. Green Building Council and teaches sustainable construction as adjunct faculty at Northwestern University.
- Trustee
![Ellen Square Crop](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ellen-Square-Crop.jpg)
Trustee
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Ellen Von Ohlen
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Trustee
Ellen has been a Kendall County Trustee since 2020. From 2009 to 2018, Ellen was Chairman of Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO), a commission of the Village of Oswego. Some of their programs and accomplishments include enacting an ordinance allowing residents to raise chickens, hosting the annual Fox River clean-up, coordinating recycling events, researching environmental best practices, and recruiting and coordinating volunteers.
Ellen was awarded a B.A. from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She has since earned her 500 Hour CYT in yoga and holds other health and fitness certifications, some specifically dealing with osteoporosis prevention and physical well-being of veterans.
Ellen has worked as an Adjunct Instructor for Waubonsee Community College teaching fitness classes and developing her Yoga for Bones and Balance classes. Ellen started her own company, Fox River Yoga, in response to the pandemic closure of Waubonsee Community College and its fitness program. The business has allowed her to sponsor environmental events, like the Fox River Clean-Up in Montgomery and Oswego.
Ellen lives on the banks of the Fox River in downtown Oswego with her husband, Lyle Rosine, and her cat, Oscar. Lyle was a project manager for Suncast and holds several patents and is now retired. The couple met when both were part of a running group in Batavia.
Ellen has been most impressed by the enthusiasm she witnesses from the staff and the board of The Conservation Foundation. In short, she said, “I like hanging out with smart enthusiastic people.” And there’s a plethora of them here.
- Trustee
![dan-wagner](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dan-wagner.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dan-wagner.jpg)
Daniel Wagner
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dan-wagner.jpg)
Trustee
- Trustee
![jeff-w](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/jeff-w.jpg)
Trustee
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Jeff Wehrli
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/jeff-w.jpg)
Trustee
- Trustee
![dennis](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dennis.jpg)
Trustee
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dennis.jpg)
Dennis Wisnosky
![](https://theconservationfoundation.sikich.digital/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dennis.jpg)
Trustee
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Advisory Council
DuPage County
Ken Bartels, Elmhurst
Lisa Beckwith, Wheaton
Bill Bedrossian, Wheaton
Mike Benard, Wheaton
Andi Cooper, Lombard
Bill Dawe, Naperville
Scott Day, Naperville
Renae Frigo, Glen Ellyn
Alvin Gates, Lisle
Jay Gilbert, Glen Ellyn
Lulú Hertenstein, Aurora
Joy Hinz, Wheaton
Matt LaFond, Wheaton
Beth Marchetti, Oak Brook
Curt Pascoe, Wheaton
Carl Peterson, Wheaton
Rich Reichert, Elmhurst
Steve Stawarz, Oak Brook
Shefali Trivedi, Wheaton
Rosemary Macko Wisnosky, Naperville
Will County
Eric Anderson, Aurora
Gideon Blustein
Mary Carrington, Crete
Karen D’Arcy, New Lenox
Marcy DeMauro, Joliet
Robin Ellis
Marc Gorsch, Joliet
Marta Keane, Plano
Jay Kelly
Terry Kestel, New Lenox
Joe Mikan, Orland Park
Dan Peloquin
Doug Pryor, Morris
Ralph Schultz, Joliet
Mike Schwartz
Kelsay Shaw, Monee
Owen Wavrinek, Aurora
Kane County
Mavis Bates, Aurora
Jim Breen, St. Charles
Nancy Cox, St. Charles
Patricia Golden, Dundee
Kim Haag, Elburn
Ben Haberthur, Geneva
Carol Hancock, Wayne
Susan Harney, Sleepy Hollow
Janice Hill, Aurora
Nancy Hopp, Aurora
Dave Hulseberg, Aurora
Susan Jayne, Elgin
Jerome Johnson, LaFox
June Keibler, Dundee
Mike Kenyon, South Elgin
Gloria Klimek, St. Charles
Grace Koehler, St. Charles
Vernon LaVia, Aurora
Rob Linke, Campton Hills
Julie Long, St. Charles
Karen Miller, Geneva
Mark Mylott, Elgin
Mary Ochsenschlager, Sugar Grove
Jeff Palmquist, Geneva
Stephane Phifer, Aurora
Ben Schwarz, Elgin
Jack Shouba, Campton Hills
Christine Sobek, Geneva
Maggie Soliz, Batavia
Jan Sorensen, St. Charles
Gary Swick, Elgin
Pat Tauchert, Dundee
Dave Waden, Elgin
Shauna Wiet, Aurora
Barb Wojnicki, Campton Township
Jay Womack, Geneva
Kendall County
Deanna Bazan, Yorkville
Gretta Bieber, Newark
Grant Castleton, Oswego
Nathan Ewing, Yorkville
Sarah Fellerer, Yorkville
Tracey Fischer, Yorkville
Jim Friedrich, Newark
Kay Hatcher, Montgomery
Steven & Kathryn Graves, Millington
Dave Guritz, Yorkville
Amy Hamilton, Plano
Scott Johnson, Oswego
Tim Kellogg, Yorkville
Jackie Kowalski, Millbrook
Jennine Kristianson, Millbrook
Kyle Lambert, Montgomery
Joan McEachern, Yorkville
Pam Parr, Oswego
Joan Soltwisch, Minooka
Dr. Craig Stevenson, Plano
Wally Werderich, Yorkville
Dick Whitfield, Newark
Next Generation Advisory Council
Robb Cleave, South Elgin
Kelsey Galante, Lisle
Krista Glosson, Gilberts
Leigha Green, Naperville
Erik Gullickson, Crystal Lake
Hayley Hawkinson, West Chicago
Rachel Hitzemann, Wheaton
Bob Ijams, Oswego
Eric Izzo, Naperville
Kayla Sue Jacobs, Villa Park
Kristin Kalamatas, Roselle
Scott Kauffman, Yorkville
Thomas Konopka, Naperville
Hanna Lavin, Downers Grove
Kyla Muhammad, Bolingbrook
Josh Nelson, St. Charles
Beth Peluse, Lombard
Alison Sherwood, Naperville
Ryan Solomon, St. Charles
Click here to learn more about our
Next Generation Advisory Council!
Leadership Board
James Bramsen, President/CEO
Spraying Systems Company
Anthony A. Casaccio, President
Inland Real Estate Development Corp.
Jack E. Mensching, Past President
Itasca Bank & Trust Company
Robert J. Schillerstrom, Past Chair
Illinois Tollway Authority;
Past Board Chair of The Conservation Foundation;
Former DuPage County Chair
Christine Sobek, Ed.D., President
Waubonsee Community College;
Former Trustee of The Conservation Foundation
Stephen C. Van Arsdell, Retired Chairman/CEO
Deloitte & Touche;
Past Board Chair of The Conservation Foundation
Inclusion Council
Created in July 2021 to provide guidance and advice to the CEO on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion matters, and to help align actions with intentions consistent with The Conservation Foundation’s mission.
Dr. Lulu Blacksmith, Elburn
Alvin Gates, Lisle
Kyla Muhammad, Bolingbrook
Tara Neff, Joliet
Marisa Pfautz, Batavia
Mario Short, Chicago
Shefali Trivedi, Schaumburg