Evanston Community Foundation’s Leadership Evanston program celebrates the graduation of its 16th signature class, twenty-four remarkable and energetic people who live and work in Evanston.
Evanston Community Foundation’s Leadership Evanston program celebrates the graduation of its 16th signature class, twenty-four remarkable and energetic people who live and work in Evanston.
That brings the total alumni of Leadership Evanston programs to 430, an expanding network of citizens. Leadership Evanston will add to that number in July, with the graduation of the 4th class of Senior Leadership Evanston.
A recent graduate class described the program as “a unique opportunity to meet with community leaders in a ‘welcoming’ environment… Leadership Evanston gave me a broader understanding and an awareness of our community, looking at Evanston through multiple lenses.” Leadership Evanston seeks to cultivate citizen leaders who will use their skills and knowledge to steward the community and build a network of engaged citizens.
Evanston residents and those who work in Evanston who are interested in participating in Leadership Evanston are encouraged to apply for Class XVII, which will run from September 2008 through June 2009. Up to thirty representatives of the community will be selected to meet for full-day sessions on the first Wednesday of the month, as well as getting involved in project teams. Monthly sessions will feature in-depth discussions with over eighty community leaders and workshops in building leadership skills. Residents and those who work in Evanston who seek an enlightening and challenging leadership experience should contact Jane Grover, Assistant Director, 847-492-0992, leadership@evanstonforever.org.
The distinguished members of Leadership Evanston Signature Class XVI include:
Maribeth Allen, pharmacy assistant, Kellogg Cancer Care Center
Susan Besson, interior designer
Schona Buranda, independent artist
RJ Coleman, account executive, Live Marketing, Inc.
Dave Davis, constituent advocate, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
George DeMet, owner, palantir.net, Inc.
Terrence Doby, assistant director of public safety, Evanston Township High School
Matt Driscoll, dean of students, Evanston Township High School
Rich Emrich, treasury project manager, Northwestern University
Martha Fowler, residency advisor, Mather Lifeways
Susan Fox, associate director, Master of Engineering Management, Northwestern University
Cam Herth, human relations specialist, City of Evanston
Kim Jass, sports and fitness director, McGaw YMCA
Patricia Maunsell, education consultant
Carolina Pfister, communications director, Zakat Foundation
Paula Shapiro, community volunteer
Christine Steel, retired teacher
Susan Thompson, community volunteer
Flora Valadez, outreach specialist, Family Focus
Lohra Vogel, aquatics instructor, Leaning Tower YMCA
Al White, marketing researcher
Jeff Wilson, community volunteer
Cynthia Witherspoon, career development coordinator, Center for Independent Futures
John Zbesko, equity analyst, Charles Schwab & Co.
Since its inception in 1992, Leadership Evanston has expanded to four programs, including Senior Leadership Evanston, Snapshot Evanston, and the Public Service Challenge. The program was founded to encourage and develop the leadership potential of talented individuals committed to Evanston who seek leadership training and a broader understanding of Evanston, its assets and challenges.
Said another graduate of the 2008 class, “Leadership Evanston was an incredible learning experience about people, Evanston, the value of true commitment, and what it really takes to make a difference.” Leadership Evanston alumni are committed to their community, serving on a wide variety of city and non-profit boards, facilitating community conversations, and being engaged in local philanthropy.
The impact of Leadership Evanston is real. Graduates have sought and won public office and now serve on Evanston’s school boards. Graduates have been instrumental in creating significant local initiatives and organizations, such as the Westside Farmers Market, the Evanston Community Development Association, and Citizens Lighthouse Community Land Trust. Many Evanston non-profit and civic boards and organizations, such as the Seniors Action Service of Evanston, the Evanston Environment Board, Evanston/North Shore YWCA, and the Youth Job Center, benefit from the infusion of skills and perspective from Leadership Evanston graduates.
Evanston Community Foundation was established in 1986 as a publicly supported philanthropic organization dedicated to enriching Evanston and the lives of its people, now and in the future. The Foundation builds community endowments, addresses Evanston’s changing needs through innovative grant-making, and provides leadership in bringing people together around issues of community concern. The Foundation’s assets total more than $9 million.