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 1986.
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 1986.
Al Gustafson, Vice President
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 teenage 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 teenage children in Woodridge, IL.
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 thirty-nine year career in banking always focusing on community banking and 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 thirty-nine year career in banking always focusing on community banking and 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.
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.
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.
Theresa Hawley, Member
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.
Dr. Charles Johns, Member
Dr. Charles Johns has 23 years of experience as an administrator in public schools and is in his second year as the superintendent of West Chicago Elementary District #33. Throughout his career, Charles has passionately studied school leadership, systems management and teacher empowerment. Dr. Johns obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University – Chicago. His dissertation studies the utilization of micro-politics within a school district. Dr. Johns’ graduate and undergraduate work was performed at the University of Iowa. Prior to becoming the superintendent of West Chicago District 33, Dr. Johns was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Elmhurst Unit District #205. Before serving in that role, he was the principal of Rolling Meadows High School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. During his tenure at Rolling Meadows High School, the school was selected as the model high school for Response to Intervention implementation in Illinois. Dr. Johns worked himself up the ladder at High School District 214 starting as an English teacher, Dean of Students, and Associate Principal of Operations before becoming a principal.
Dr. Charles Johns has 23 years of experience as an administrator in public schools and is in his second year as the superintendent of West Chicago Elementary District #33. Throughout his career, Charles has passionately studied school leadership, systems management and teacher empowerment. Dr. Johns obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University – Chicago. His dissertation studies the utilization of micro-politics within a school district. Dr. Johns’ graduate and undergraduate work was performed at the University of Iowa. Prior to becoming the superintendent of West Chicago District 33, Dr. Johns was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Elmhurst Unit District #205. Before serving in that role, he was the principal of Rolling Meadows High School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. During his tenure at Rolling Meadows High School, the school was selected as the model high school for Response to Intervention implementation in Illinois. Dr. Johns worked himself up the ladder at High School District 214 starting as an English teacher, Dean of Students, and Associate Principal of Operations before becoming a principal.
Michael Konewko, Member
Michael Konewko is an Illinois licensed practicing attorney in West Chicago and DuPage County for more than 38 years. His practice covers Family law, Probate, Estates, Banking, Trust, Corporate Law, Wills, Contract, Real Estate, and Civil Litigation. He currently sits as an Administrative Law Judge for DuPage County and as an Arbitrator for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. He has sat on the Board of Directors and represented several not-for-profit charitable foundations including the Michael Kwasman Foundation, Almost Home Foundation and the DuPage Veteran’s Foundation. He has also served as a Member, Secretary and President of the Winfield Park District.
He received his Juris Doctor from the Lewis University College of Law and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He graduated cum laude in Psychology and is a published author in the American Journal of Psychology in cognitive psychology. He also author and/or lectured at the Illinois Continuing Legal Education, DuPage County Bar Association and various community groups.
Michael Konewko is an Illinois licensed practicing attorney in West Chicago and DuPage County for more than 38 years. His practice covers Family law, Probate, Estates, Banking, Trust, Corporate Law, Wills, Contract, Real Estate, and Civil Litigation. He currently sits as an Administrative Law Judge for DuPage County and as an Arbitrator for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. He has sat on the Board of Directors and represented several not-for-profit charitable foundations including the Michael Kwasman Foundation, Almost Home Foundation and the DuPage Veteran’s Foundation. He has also served as a Member, Secretary and President of the Winfield Park District.
He received his Juris Doctor from the Lewis University College of Law and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He graduated cum laude in Psychology and is a published author in the American Journal of Psychology in cognitive psychology. He also author and/or lectured at the Illinois Continuing Legal Education, DuPage County Bar Association and various community groups.
