We’re a coalition of parents, educators, and community leaders who develop and fund creative, curriculum-enriching programs for the children of District 97 public schools.

Staff

	Deb Abrahamson Executive Director & Art Start Coordinator Deb Abrahamson was named the first Executive Director of the Oak Park Education Foundation in August, 2006. She had served as Secretary of the Oak Park Education Foundation Board of Directors, during which time she was also Grants Administrator for District 97. Deb began her association with OPEF as a member of the Art Start development committee, and became Project Coordinator of Art Start at its inception in 1998. Deb has served on the Village of Oak Park's Public Art Advisory Commission, board of the Oak Park & River Forest Community Foundation, and board of the Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery. She and her husband Tom have lived in Oak Park for 19 years, where they raised 2 children who are now in college.
	Seth Baker Global Village Coordinator This is Seth's 15th year of teaching in Oak Park in 6th-8th grades. He has participated in Global Village each of those 15 years, and has coordinated the Global Village program for the past 3 years. A Golden Apple winner, Seth is also a member of the Educational Advisory Board of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Research Experience for Teachers program. He lives in Oak Park and has three children in the District 97 schools.
	Mark Pickus Vex Robotics Coordinator Mark Pickus has been coordinator of Vex Robotics program since he proposed the concept to OPEF in the summer of 2005. Mark has an MS in teaching of mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a life-long interest in computers, gadgets and technology. He taught mathematics and computer electives for more than 12 years, and has experience in the private sector working with computerized numerical control machinery. In addition, for six years he ran OPEF's Technology in Motion program. Mark is an Oak Park resident and works as District 97's Student Achievement Data Specialist.
	Adrienne McMullen Architecture Adventure Coordinator Adrienne McMullen is one of the developers of Architecture Adventure and has been coordinator of the program since its inception. She is an architect and parent to 2 District 97 students who has lived in Oak Park since 2002. Adrienne is on the faculty of Triton College where she teaches in the architecture program. She serves on the Oak Park American Youth Soccer Organization board, and has been on the Beye School PTO for 4 years.
	Sophia Lyman Architecture Adventure Co-coordinator Sophia Lyman began working with the Architecture Adventure program in January 2008. She has 15 years experience in arts management and community development including work in art education, public art, urban planning and historic preservation. With her background and interest in art, culture, design and the built environment, Sophia is very excited to be involved in the Architecture Adventure program. She has lived in Oak Park since 2002 and works as a freelance consultant. She and her husband and have two boys at Longfellow and a toddler in preschool.
	Gretchen Junker Geared Up Coordinator Gretchen Junker is the community member who proposed Geared Up to the Oak Park Education Foundation during our Call for Ideas to the community in May, 2008. She is the parent of 3 young boys and has lived in Oak Park for 3 years. Gretchen has a B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington. "Geared Up shows kids that science (and school) can be fun," she says. "Our family has always had an interest in how things work, and that curiosity has managed to fuel our day-to-day life. For me, Geared Up is a natural extension of what my 3 sons and I have already incorporated into our ongoing family dialogue."
	Patti Quilling OPEF Assistant Patti Qulling joined us in June, 2007 as Assistant to the Executive Director. She and her husband have lived in Oak Park for four years. Their two boys attend Mann Elementary School. Along with working for the Education Foundation, Patti is involved with several volunteer activities at Mann. Patti joins the Education Foundation after a brief career as a stay-at-home mom. Prior to that, she worked 15 years in the accounting software field.

Board of Directors Phil Hausken, President Judy Greffin, Past President Angie Dodd, Vice President Ted Staszak, Vice President Louise Gates, Treasurer Elizabeth Lippitt, Secretary Kevin Anderson Mary Cavanaugh Constance Collins Teri Dixon Carol Dudzik Ian Friedman Molly Galo Michelle Harton Eric Larson Nancy Leavy Veena Rajashekar Victoria Sharts Kevin Trim Sally Wallace Click here to read the Board's Conflict of Interest Policy. See OPEF's financial information here (visit guidestar.org to set up a free login).

Friends of the Foundation Deb & Tom Abrahamson John Ayers & Judi Minter Bill & Donna Barrows Christopher Bell Bess & Candelario Celio Bruce & Gloria Cox Mark & Dawn Deaton Angie Dodd & Richard Mertz Carol & John Dudzik Sarah & Terry Finnegan Jack & Stephanie Flynn Molly & Matt Galo Louise & Jim Gates Eric & Angie Gershenson Susan & Mamon Gibson Judy & Bill Greffin Phil & M ary Beth Hausken Nancy & John Ide Krista & Gary Kaplan Nancy Lynn & Andy Teitelman James J. McClure, Jr. Sarah Staszak Miller & Steve Miller Rob & Marilyn Moore Donna Myers & Aaron Lebovitz Martin & Mary Lou Noll Thomas & Gwen O’Loughlin Jane & Hank Pearsall Jeffrey & Joan Petertil Bob Kent & Marian Sassetti-Kent Bob Spatz & Lisa Ginet Patricia Staszak Ted & Jennifer Staszak John & Liinda Tibensky Peter & Cindy Traczyk Sally Wallace