Vicky Zanillo, Board Chair
Vicky Zanillo is a retired educator who began her career as a special education preschool teacher. After teaching children with special education needs from preschool through high school she worked as a principal, Special Education Director and Assistant Superintendent for Learning. Most of her administrative career (17 years) was in West Chicago District 33 where she was the principal of Currier Elementary School for 12 years. Vicky has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master's degree in Special Education from Northern Illinois University and a Doctorate from Loyola University.
Since her retirement she has volunteered at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora where she taught English as a second language for 3 years to adult women. For the past 8 years, she has volunteered at Educare in the library where she reads to the children on a weekly basis and orders books for the library. Vicky and her husband live in Geneva; they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Vicky Zanillo is a retired educator who began her career as a special education preschool teacher. After teaching children with special education needs from preschool through high school she worked as a principal, Special Education Director and Assistant Superintendent for Learning. Most of her administrative career (17 years) was in West Chicago District 33 where she was the principal of Currier Elementary School for 12 years. Vicky has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master's degree in Special Education from Northern Illinois University and a Doctorate from Loyola University.
Since her retirement she has volunteered at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora where she taught English as a second language for 3 years to adult women. For the past 8 years, she has volunteered at Educare in the library where she reads to the children on a weekly basis and orders books for the library. Vicky and her husband live in Geneva; they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Michael Burke, Vice Chair
Michael Burke is Vice President of Buffett Early Childhood Fund, an Omaha-based foundation that invests where public education is most under-invested: the first five years of life and learning. Mike has more than 30 years of experience in politics, public relations and philanthropy. His work at the Buffett foundation focuses on building the coast-to-coast network of high-performing Educare schools while also providing guidance on efforts to improve state and federal policies affecting young children and their families.
Before joining the foundation in January 2007, Mike oversaw public affairs and communications for several children’s organizations, including: Ounce of Prevention Fund, Voices for Illinois Children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also managed media relations for two political campaigns in rural Illinois.
Michael Burke is Vice President of Buffett Early Childhood Fund, an Omaha-based foundation that invests where public education is most under-invested: the first five years of life and learning. Mike has more than 30 years of experience in politics, public relations and philanthropy. His work at the Buffett foundation focuses on building the coast-to-coast network of high-performing Educare schools while also providing guidance on efforts to improve state and federal policies affecting young children and their families.
Before joining the foundation in January 2007, Mike oversaw public affairs and communications for several children’s organizations, including: Ounce of Prevention Fund, Voices for Illinois Children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also managed media relations for two political campaigns in rural Illinois.
Steve Rasher, Secretary
Steve Rasher is an attorney with over 46 years of broad commercial experience in both litigation and transactional matters. Steve was Assistant General Counsel of United Air Lines, Inc. for 17 years, until his retirement on June 1, 2011. During his 28 plus year career at United, Steve provided counsel on most facets of United’s business. From 2001 through 2003, Steve was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of UAL Loyalty Services, a wholly-owned United affiliate, which owned and operated the Mileage Plus program and united.com. At ULS, Steve was not only responsible for all legal matters of ULS, but also had business responsibility for all procurement and real estate. Prior to joining United in 1982, Steve was a commercial trial and appellate lawyer with Mayer Brown (1973-1977) and Katten Muchin (1978-1982).
Since his retirement, Steve has been managing his investments and finances and those of various members of his family. In addition, during that last two years, he has done legal/business related consulting services for three different companies as well as legal work for Don Levy Associates and O’Laughlin Corporation. Steve has a B.S. in Business Administration (concentrations in Economics and Finance) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (1970) and a J.D. from the University of Michigan (1973) (Order of the Coif). Steve and his wife, Sue, have been married for over 48 years and continue to live in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Steve Rasher is an attorney with over 46 years of broad commercial experience in both litigation and transactional matters. Steve was Assistant General Counsel of United Air Lines, Inc. for 17 years, until his retirement on June 1, 2011. During his 28 plus year career at United, Steve provided counsel on most facets of United’s business. From 2001 through 2003, Steve was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of UAL Loyalty Services, a wholly-owned United affiliate, which owned and operated the Mileage Plus program and united.com. At ULS, Steve was not only responsible for all legal matters of ULS, but also had business responsibility for all procurement and real estate. Prior to joining United in 1982, Steve was a commercial trial and appellate lawyer with Mayer Brown (1973-1977) and Katten Muchin (1978-1982).
Since his retirement, Steve has been managing his investments and finances and those of various members of his family. In addition, during that last two years, he has done legal/business related consulting services for three different companies as well as legal work for Don Levy Associates and O’Laughlin Corporation. Steve has a B.S. in Business Administration (concentrations in Economics and Finance) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (1970) and a J.D. from the University of Michigan (1973) (Order of the Coif). Steve and his wife, Sue, have been married for over 48 years and continue to live in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Barb Abromitis, Member
Barbara Abromitis, Ed.D., CFRE. Principal Consultant at BLISS Creative Services and former Director of Grants at College of DuPage, has extensive experience with program development at both the K-12 and post-secondary levels, as well as with academic program evaluation, grant proposal writing, and grant program management. A former elementary teacher and assistant professor in education at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, she has also worked as an educational consultant for school districts, community colleges, Regional Offices of Education, universities and other organizations.
Dr. Abromitis has a doctorate in Literacy Education with cognates in Educational Psychology and Curriculum and Supervision from Northern Illinois University, and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has given over 25 conference presentations, and authored or co-authored 13 teacher resource books in the areas of reading and the language arts, as well as over 100 education and parenting articles and numerous funded grant proposals. Her dissertation on the reading attitudes of third graders was awarded Outstanding Dissertation of the Year by the College Reading Association, and she was a recent Fulbright Scholar, participating in the Community College Administrator Seminar held in Russia. In her current role, Dr. Abromitis assists nonprofit organizations to further advance their missions through strategic planning, board development, fundraising, grants, and program evaluation.
Barbara Abromitis, Ed.D., CFRE. Principal Consultant at BLISS Creative Services and former Director of Grants at College of DuPage, has extensive experience with program development at both the K-12 and post-secondary levels, as well as with academic program evaluation, grant proposal writing, and grant program management. A former elementary teacher and assistant professor in education at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, she has also worked as an educational consultant for school districts, community colleges, Regional Offices of Education, universities and other organizations.
Dr. Abromitis has a doctorate in Literacy Education with cognates in Educational Psychology and Curriculum and Supervision from Northern Illinois University, and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has given over 25 conference presentations, and authored or co-authored 13 teacher resource books in the areas of reading and the language arts, as well as over 100 education and parenting articles and numerous funded grant proposals. Her dissertation on the reading attitudes of third graders was awarded Outstanding Dissertation of the Year by the College Reading Association, and she was a recent Fulbright Scholar, participating in the Community College Administrator Seminar held in Russia. In her current role, Dr. Abromitis assists nonprofit organizations to further advance their missions through strategic planning, board development, fundraising, grants, and program evaluation.
DBrian Beerman, Treasurer
Brian works as a Vice President of Commercial Banking for Hoyne Savings Bank in Chicago. Brian manages various aspects of retail and commercial banking operations including electronic banking, cash management, vendor relations and customer relationship management. Prior to working for Hoyne, Brian worked for two different banks in the West Chicago community for 27 years. Brian completed the Graduate School of Banking program in Madison, Wisconsin, graduating in the top 10% of his class in 2015.
Brian is a native of West Chicago and a graduate of West Chicago Community High School. He graduated Magna cum Laude from North Central College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Instrumental Music Education. After graduation, he taught General Music at Elmhurst Community School District 205. Brian served as Treasurer of CHSD94 Educational Foundation for 12 years. He has been a performing member of the Naperville Municipal Band since 2002 and has served on its Board of Directors.
Brian works as a Vice President of Commercial Banking for Hoyne Savings Bank in Chicago. Brian manages various aspects of retail and commercial banking operations including electronic banking, cash management, vendor relations and customer relationship management. Prior to working for Hoyne, Brian worked for two different banks in the West Chicago community for 27 years. Brian completed the Graduate School of Banking program in Madison, Wisconsin, graduating in the top 10% of his class in 2015.
Brian is a native of West Chicago and a graduate of West Chicago Community High School. He graduated Magna cum Laude from North Central College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Instrumental Music Education. After graduation, he taught General Music at Elmhurst Community School District 205. Brian served as Treasurer of CHSD94 Educational Foundation for 12 years. He has been a performing member of the Naperville Municipal Band since 2002 and has served on its Board of Directors.
David Sabathne, Member
Sarah Norton, Member
Sarah Norton is the Coordinator of Partnerships in West Chicago Elementary School District 33. Sarah oversees the community school model for the district, incorporating extended learning opportunities for students and their families by leveraging expertise of local community organizations. Sarah has worked in West Chicago, serving families in various roles, including a Community Mental Health Clinician, Community School Coordinator, and Interim Coordinator of WeGo Together for Kids community collaboration since 2016. Sarah is passionate about helping connect West Chicago r residents to the wealth of resources available to them in order to provide equitable experiences and reach their goals. She believes that supporting families with necessary non-academic resources help students come to school ready to learn and thrive.
Sarah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in children and families from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She grew up near West Chicago, attended West Chicago Community High School, and lives in town with her spouse and toddler.
Sarah Norton is the Coordinator of Partnerships in West Chicago Elementary School District 33. Sarah oversees the community school model for the district, incorporating extended learning opportunities for students and their families by leveraging expertise of local community organizations. Sarah has worked in West Chicago, serving families in various roles, including a Community Mental Health Clinician, Community School Coordinator, and Interim Coordinator of WeGo Together for Kids community collaboration since 2016. Sarah is passionate about helping connect West Chicago r residents to the wealth of resources available to them in order to provide equitable experiences and reach their goals. She believes that supporting families with necessary non-academic resources help students come to school ready to learn and thrive.
Sarah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in children and families from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She grew up near West Chicago, attended West Chicago Community High School, and lives in town with her spouse and toddler.
Joie Frankovich, Member
Joie Frankovich is an Evaluation Coach with Planning and Implementation Evaluation (PIE) Org. Joie supports the strategic planning and evaluation efforts of mission-driven organizations across Illinois with an eye toward equity. Prior to her work at PIE Org, Joie was the Coordinator of Partnerships for WeGo Together for Kids and West Chicago Elementary School District 33. In that role Joie facilitated a community collaboration of more than 40 community partners that represent over 15 sectors, all working to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of children and families in West Chicago, along with overseeing District 33's community schools supports and systems.
Joie is an elected Governing Councilor for the Community Health Planning and Policy Development section of the American Public Health Association and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Joie has a Master's degree in Social Work in community health and urban development and a Master's degree in Public Health in health policy administration, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Joie currently lives in St. Charles with her husband and dog, Bowser.
Joie Frankovich is an Evaluation Coach with Planning and Implementation Evaluation (PIE) Org. Joie supports the strategic planning and evaluation efforts of mission-driven organizations across Illinois with an eye toward equity. Prior to her work at PIE Org, Joie was the Coordinator of Partnerships for WeGo Together for Kids and West Chicago Elementary School District 33. In that role Joie facilitated a community collaboration of more than 40 community partners that represent over 15 sectors, all working to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of children and families in West Chicago, along with overseeing District 33's community schools supports and systems.
Joie is an elected Governing Councilor for the Community Health Planning and Policy Development section of the American Public Health Association and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Joie has a Master's degree in Social Work in community health and urban development and a Master's degree in Public Health in health policy administration, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Joie currently lives in St. Charles with her husband and dog, Bowser.
Al Gustafson, Ex-Officio Member
Al Gustafson is a spiritual director and retreat leader. He has been a staff member at Old St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago since 1994 and is the former Director of the Crossroads Center for Faith & Work. He is a founder and past president of the Career Transitions Center of Chicago where he continues to be involved. He is a co-leader of an annual 38-week retreat on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at St. Margaret Mary Church in Naperville.
In addition to ministry, Al is the president of the Gustafson Family Foundation, a private foundation promoting the development and education of young children at risk. Al also serves on several boards including Educare of West DuPage, Institute of Catholic Bioethics and Swifty Foundation.
Al holds degrees in accounting and ethics as well as a Doctorate of Ministry from Catholic Theological Union. He lives with his wife and children in Woodridge, IL.
Al Gustafson is a spiritual director and retreat leader. He has been a staff member at Old St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago since 1994 and is the former Director of the Crossroads Center for Faith & Work. He is a founder and past president of the Career Transitions Center of Chicago where he continues to be involved. He is a co-leader of an annual 38-week retreat on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at St. Margaret Mary Church in Naperville.
In addition to ministry, Al is the president of the Gustafson Family Foundation, a private foundation promoting the development and education of young children at risk. Al also serves on several boards including Educare of West DuPage, Institute of Catholic Bioethics and Swifty Foundation.
Al holds degrees in accounting and ethics as well as a Doctorate of Ministry from Catholic Theological Union. He lives with his wife and children in Woodridge, IL.
Crystal Taylor, Member
Crystal Taylor is a Certified Public Accountant with over six years of experience in public accounting working with both public and private entities in the manufacturing, retail, technology, and consumer goods industries as well as the not-for-profit sector. Prior to her career in public accounting, Crystal worked as a compliance auditor with a focus on derivative instruments and sales and use tax. She has a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University. Additionally, Crystal was part of the inaugural 2020 cohort for United Way’s Board Leadership Institute which prepares philanthropic business leaders with the training, skills and resources needed to effectively serve on the boards of not-for-profits.
Crystal Taylor is a Certified Public Accountant with over six years of experience in public accounting working with both public and private entities in the manufacturing, retail, technology, and consumer goods industries as well as the not-for-profit sector. Prior to her career in public accounting, Crystal worked as a compliance auditor with a focus on derivative instruments and sales and use tax. She has a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University. Additionally, Crystal was part of the inaugural 2020 cohort for United Way’s Board Leadership Institute which prepares philanthropic business leaders with the training, skills and resources needed to effectively serve on the boards of not-for-profits.
Norma Gallegos, Parent Member
Norma Gallegos is the Parent Member on the Board of Directors, serving also as the Parent Policy Council President for Educare West DuPage. She has been part of the Educare West DuPage school community for several years and is the proud parent of 5 children—all of whom have attended Educare West DuPage. Norma has been a strong advocate for the children and families of Educare West DuPage and is actively involved with interviewing new staff. She is involved in many of the school's parent initiatives, including Abriendo Puertas.
In the past year, Norma achieved her Realtor license and currently works with Daniel And Associates Real Estate in DuPage County.
Norma Gallegos is the Parent Member on the Board of Directors, serving also as the Parent Policy Council President for Educare West DuPage. She has been part of the Educare West DuPage school community for several years and is the proud parent of 5 children—all of whom have attended Educare West DuPage. Norma has been a strong advocate for the children and families of Educare West DuPage and is actively involved with interviewing new staff. She is involved in many of the school's parent initiatives, including Abriendo Puertas.
In the past year, Norma achieved her Realtor license and currently works with Daniel And Associates Real Estate in DuPage County.
Saharay Terrazas, Parent Member
Saharay Terrazas is a Branch Operations Officer at Wheaton Bank and Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank. Wintrust Community Banks invest and give back to the communities they serve. Saharay listens, engages, and wants to make a difference in her local community. She has been with Wheaton Bank and Trust for over 5 years. She has provided financial literacy for various individuals, as well as organizations such as Leman Middle School, World Relief, Wheaton Bible Church, and many other great organizations.
Saharay also serves as a member of the Parent Policy Council for Educare West DuPage. She has been a part of the Educare West DuPage family for two years now, and is a proud parent of two children who are currently attending Educare West DuPage. Saharay grew up in West Chicago, attended District 33 and District 94 school systems, participated in extracurricular activities, and was part of the Head Start program in the early 2000's, at what is now New Life Bilingual Church on Ann Street. Saharay attended Loyola University Chicago after graduating from West Chicago Community High School District 94. She was only there for a short time, and attended College of DuPage. Saharay is working to get her Bachelors in Business Management.
Saharay Terrazas is a Branch Operations Officer at Wheaton Bank and Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank. Wintrust Community Banks invest and give back to the communities they serve. Saharay listens, engages, and wants to make a difference in her local community. She has been with Wheaton Bank and Trust for over 5 years. She has provided financial literacy for various individuals, as well as organizations such as Leman Middle School, World Relief, Wheaton Bible Church, and many other great organizations.
Saharay also serves as a member of the Parent Policy Council for Educare West DuPage. She has been a part of the Educare West DuPage family for two years now, and is a proud parent of two children who are currently attending Educare West DuPage. Saharay grew up in West Chicago, attended District 33 and District 94 school systems, participated in extracurricular activities, and was part of the Head Start program in the early 2000's, at what is now New Life Bilingual Church on Ann Street. Saharay attended Loyola University Chicago after graduating from West Chicago Community High School District 94. She was only there for a short time, and attended College of DuPage. Saharay is working to get her Bachelors in Business Management.
Educare West DuPage | 851 Pearl Road | West Chicago, IL 60185 | Site Map
(630) 957-5500 | M-F: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
(630) 957-5500 | M-F: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
