2019-2020 Board of Directors
Paul Weinewuth, President
Paul Weinewuth is a Co-Founder and Partner of Aktion Partners, a Chicago based group of seasoned entrepreneurs who provide capital as well as financial, operational, marketing and sales expertise to high growth technology companies. He is also a Co-Founder of Avionos a Digital Consultancy focused on the Connected Customer. Previously, Paul was the Chief Financial Officer of CloudCraze: Enterprise eCommerce built natively on Salesforce1. He was instrumental in the purchase, and subsequent growth of CloudCraze. This included a Venture Capital raise, and the ultimate sale of the company to Salesforce.com.
Paul was a Co-Founder and the Chief Financial Officer of Acquity Group, a digital agency headquartered in Chicago. His core responsibilities at Acquity Group were overseeing all the financial and fiscal management aspects of Acquity Group. Paul was instrumental in guiding the company and developing its strategic objectives, which included a private equity raise, the successful public listing on the NYSE, and finally its sale to Accenture. Prior to Acquity Group, he was Co-Founder and Partner of Modern Business Technology, a Chicago based technology consulting firm. In addition to his core responsibilities of overseeing operations, Paul was again instrumental in guiding the company and developing its strategic objectives, including the sale of the company to march FIRST formerly USWeb/CKS. Prior to Co-Founding Modern Business Technology, Paul left his initial engineering career in the manufacturing industry to join Andersen Consulting as a Senior Consultant. Paul earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Marquette University.
Paul Weinewuth is a Co-Founder and Partner of Aktion Partners, a Chicago based group of seasoned entrepreneurs who provide capital as well as financial, operational, marketing and sales expertise to high growth technology companies. He is also a Co-Founder of Avionos a Digital Consultancy focused on the Connected Customer. Previously, Paul was the Chief Financial Officer of CloudCraze: Enterprise eCommerce built natively on Salesforce1. He was instrumental in the purchase, and subsequent growth of CloudCraze. This included a Venture Capital raise, and the ultimate sale of the company to Salesforce.com.
Paul was a Co-Founder and the Chief Financial Officer of Acquity Group, a digital agency headquartered in Chicago. His core responsibilities at Acquity Group were overseeing all the financial and fiscal management aspects of Acquity Group. Paul was instrumental in guiding the company and developing its strategic objectives, which included a private equity raise, the successful public listing on the NYSE, and finally its sale to Accenture. Prior to Acquity Group, he was Co-Founder and Partner of Modern Business Technology, a Chicago based technology consulting firm. In addition to his core responsibilities of overseeing operations, Paul was again instrumental in guiding the company and developing its strategic objectives, including the sale of the company to march FIRST formerly USWeb/CKS. Prior to Co-Founding Modern Business Technology, Paul left his initial engineering career in the manufacturing industry to join Andersen Consulting as a Senior Consultant. Paul earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Marquette University.
Theresa Hawley, Vice President
Theresa Hawley is an expert in early childhood programs and systems that support the school readiness and social competence of young children in poverty. She recently completed a 3-year stint as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
Before joining the Governor’s Office, Theresa was the founding Project Director of Educare West DuPage and a consultant to early learning programs and community collaborations across Illinois. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan.
Theresa Hawley is an expert in early childhood programs and systems that support the school readiness and social competence of young children in poverty. She recently completed a 3-year stint as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
Before joining the Governor’s Office, Theresa was the founding Project Director of Educare West DuPage and a consultant to early learning programs and community collaborations across Illinois. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan.
Larry Boward, Treasurer
Larry Boward is the Commercial Relationship Manager at Midland States Bank. Larry is responsible for managing and developing new business and expanding client relationships with owner-operators, professionals, small business owners and not-for-profit corporations in the greater West Chicago community. Prior to this, he was the Community President at State Bank of Illinois–West Chicago and First Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager, Business Banking at Citizens Financial Bank, responsible for Cook, DuPage and Will counties. Larry has enjoyed a career in banking, always focusing on community banking -- building and developing client relationships.
Larry is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, MN and earned his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, IL. In addition to serving on the Educare Board, Larry is active in a variety of civic and charitable activities. Larry has served as president of both the Bartlett and Carol Stream Rotary Clubs; treasurer and trustee, Bartlett Parks Foundation; and a board member of the Fox Valley Micro Loan Fund and the University of Illinois DuPage County Extension Council. He is also the Treasurer and Board Member of the Friends of the West Chicago Park District Foundation.
Larry Boward is the Commercial Relationship Manager at Midland States Bank. Larry is responsible for managing and developing new business and expanding client relationships with owner-operators, professionals, small business owners and not-for-profit corporations in the greater West Chicago community. Prior to this, he was the Community President at State Bank of Illinois–West Chicago and First Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager, Business Banking at Citizens Financial Bank, responsible for Cook, DuPage and Will counties. Larry has enjoyed a career in banking, always focusing on community banking -- building and developing client relationships.
Larry is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, MN and earned his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, IL. In addition to serving on the Educare Board, Larry is active in a variety of civic and charitable activities. Larry has served as president of both the Bartlett and Carol Stream Rotary Clubs; treasurer and trustee, Bartlett Parks Foundation; and a board member of the Fox Valley Micro Loan Fund and the University of Illinois DuPage County Extension Council. He is also the Treasurer and Board Member of the Friends of the West Chicago Park District Foundation.
Michael Burke, Member
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.
Kristina Davis, Member
Kristina Davis is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in West Chicago District 33. Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, she will assume the position of the interim superintendent.
Over the past 10 years, Kristina has overseen D33’s PreK-8th grade curriculum and instructional programs as well as assessment and accountability systems. Kristina’s educational career began as the first bilingual teacher in an Illinois farming community of migrant workers. In 2003, she started her administrative career as a principal and district administrator in the third largest district in Illinois. In 2009, she was hired in West Chicago as the Director of Second Language Learning and then assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent. Kristina worked with her team to expand the gifted program to include more students, rolled out full-day kindergarten, and expanded the dual language program district wide. Over the past couple of years, the expansion of the dual language program has flourished into an amazing cultural arts program that now boasts a ballet foklórico dance troupe, mariachi band and student art gallery that is becoming well-known in the area. This has dramatically increased student involvement and parent engagement among families. She credits the amazing teachers and administrative colleagues that she has worked with and grown from for the success of these initiatives. Kristina has two children who have recently graduated from college and are living currently lives in Naperville with her husband, Pete, and two dogs.
Kristina Davis is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in West Chicago District 33. Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, she will assume the position of the interim superintendent.
Over the past 10 years, Kristina has overseen D33’s PreK-8th grade curriculum and instructional programs as well as assessment and accountability systems. Kristina’s educational career began as the first bilingual teacher in an Illinois farming community of migrant workers. In 2003, she started her administrative career as a principal and district administrator in the third largest district in Illinois. In 2009, she was hired in West Chicago as the Director of Second Language Learning and then assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent. Kristina worked with her team to expand the gifted program to include more students, rolled out full-day kindergarten, and expanded the dual language program district wide. Over the past couple of years, the expansion of the dual language program has flourished into an amazing cultural arts program that now boasts a ballet foklórico dance troupe, mariachi band and student art gallery that is becoming well-known in the area. This has dramatically increased student involvement and parent engagement among families. She credits the amazing teachers and administrative colleagues that she has worked with and grown from for the success of these initiatives. Kristina has two children who have recently graduated from college and are living currently lives in Naperville with her husband, Pete, and two dogs.
Deborah du Vair, Member
Deborah du Vair has expertise in the areas of strategic planning, financial analysis and marketing gained from years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit industries. She currently provides consulting services to nonprofit agencies, family and community foundations and corporate clients. Deborah also serves as the Treasurer of the Jordan Family Foundation, as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and Grant Committee for the DuPage Community Foundation, as a marketing and fund-raising consultant for the Des Plaines Community Foundation, and as a board member for Educare of West DuPage.
Deborah practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick. Over the course of her career at United Airlines, she held leadership positions including Director of North America Sales, Manager of Distribution Strategic Planning and Regional Marketing Manager for West Coast Operations. Deborah holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University.
She also completed the Graham School Strategies for Nonprofit Management certificate program at the University of Chicago. Deborah has a passion for children’s education and has taught beginning sounds in preschool, volunteered at an elementary school library and taught Junior Achievement to high school students. Deborah lives with her husband and 3 sons in Glen Ellyn.
Deborah du Vair has expertise in the areas of strategic planning, financial analysis and marketing gained from years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit industries. She currently provides consulting services to nonprofit agencies, family and community foundations and corporate clients. Deborah also serves as the Treasurer of the Jordan Family Foundation, as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and Grant Committee for the DuPage Community Foundation, as a marketing and fund-raising consultant for the Des Plaines Community Foundation, and as a board member for Educare of West DuPage.
Deborah practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick. Over the course of her career at United Airlines, she held leadership positions including Director of North America Sales, Manager of Distribution Strategic Planning and Regional Marketing Manager for West Coast Operations. Deborah holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University.
She also completed the Graham School Strategies for Nonprofit Management certificate program at the University of Chicago. Deborah has a passion for children’s education and has taught beginning sounds in preschool, volunteered at an elementary school library and taught Junior Achievement to high school students. Deborah lives with her husband and 3 sons in Glen Ellyn.
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.
Marjory Lewe-Brady, Member
Marjory Lewe-Brady is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, serving as the Director of Partnerships in West Chicago Elementary School District 33 in West Chicago, Illinois. She facilitates We Go Together for Kids Initiative; a comprehensive system to address the health, safety and well-being of the students and their families in West Chicago.
Previously Lewe-Brady worked as a social worker in public health for 20 years providing clinical services for families with a child who has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and educating/organizing the community around mental health issues and wellness.
Marjory Lewe-Brady, Member
Marjory Lewe-Brady is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, serving as the Director of Partnerships in West Chicago Elementary School District 33 in West Chicago, Illinois. She facilitates We Go Together for Kids Initiative; a comprehensive system to address the health, safety and well-being of the students and their families in West Chicago.
Previously Lewe-Brady worked as a social worker in public health for 20 years providing clinical services for families with a child who has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and educating/organizing the community around mental health issues and wellness.
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.
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
