The educational program credited with training many of Evanston’s civic and not-for-profit leaders graduated its 25th class Wednesday night.
Known as Leadership Evanston, the program is a project of the Evanston Community Foundation and is designed to provide Evanston with a steady stream of skilled and knowledgeable graduates whose leadership talents would enrich civic and community life.
Started in 1992, Leadership Evanston gives its participants a broad knowledge of Evanston’s diverse perspectives, examines and practices key leadership skills, and work in project groups that tackle some of Evanston’s most challenging problems, according to Director Jennifer G. Moran.
This year’s class presented five team projects, including affordable housing, addressing trauma, empowering youth, investigating food equity, and refreshing the Leadership Evanston program itself, Moran said.
“This is a group of community leaders who are willing to roll up their sleeves to get things done in Evanston,” she declared.
Applications are being accepted for the next class, which begins in September. Information is available on the foundation’s website.
Here is a roster of this year’s class:
Maggie Allexsaht, McGaw YMCA; Nichole Boyd, Evanston Township High School; Kristin Brown, Rotary International; Val Buchanan, Northwestern University; Lynn Chehab, NorthShore University HealthSystem;
Socorro Castro, Evanston Public Library; Maggie Cong-Huyen, Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management; Pam Cytrynbaum, Injustice Watch; Michael Drennan, Ridgeville Park District; Ellen Feldman, recently retired Northwestern University Research Center;
Evan Finamore, community activist; Roland Fouche, City of Evanston; Carmen Francellno, Family Focus Evanston; Bryon Harris, Evanston/Skokie District 65; Lori Hatton, community volunteer; Katie Knapp, City of Evanston; Elisabeth “Biz” Lindsay-Ryan, diversity and inclusion consultant;
Kylette Lindsey, City of Evanston; Kathleen Long, Laurel Associates, LLC; Letitia Mann, community volunteer; Yoli Maya Yeh, LumenKids and Fusion Academy; Donique McIntosh, social justice and diversity consultant; Becky Moore, Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U);
Mary Ellen Poole, Impact Behavioral Health Partners (Housing Options); Jess Rutstein, Justin Wynn Fund; Liz Schaps, Northwestern University; Tasha Triplett, Curt’s Café; Mark Watson, Nature’s Perspective; and Jody Wright, Evanston Police Department.