Foundation Board

The Educational Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of deeply engaged community leaders. Board of Directors develops strategies and policies to guide the activities of the Educational Foundation in support of Oakton College. Each member brings a unique combination of experiences, skills and perspectives, as well as a sincere desire to help Oakton students succeed.

They champion equity and opportunity in collaboration with Foundation staff and partners. These passionate, devoted volunteers represent the many voices, sectors and communities in our district.

Officers

Foundation Board Member

Julie Fenton, J.D.
President

Murray Sprung Board Member

Murray Sprung
Immediate Past President

Jeff Coney Board Member

Jeff Coney
Vice President/ President Elect

Scott Hurwitz Foundation Board

Scott Hurwitz
Treasurer

Joan Richards Foundation Board

Joan C. Richards, Ed.D.
Secretary

Joianne Smith Oakton President

Joianne Smith, Ph.D.
College President (Ex Officio)

Katherine Sawyer Executive Director

Katherine Sawyer, CFRE
Executive Director (Ex Officio)
Board of Directors

Foundation Board member, Patti Anderson

Patti Anderson
FNB Small Business Finance

Foundation Board member, Alex B

Alex Boryszewski
Rivers Casino

Foundation board member, Shane Carlin

Shane Carlin
Asian Student Achievement

Hansy Charlier

Hansy Charlier
Acuity Brands Lighting

Carl Costanza Board Member

Carl Costanza
Oakton College (retired)

Hank Galatz Board Member

Hank Galatz, J.D.
W.W. Grainger

Kate Gallagher Board Member

Kate Gallagher
Wintrust Bank

Kate Hunt Board Member

Katie Hunt
Oakton College
(retired)

Foundation Board member, Linda Korbel

Linda Korbel
Oakton College (retired)

Foundation board member Catherine Leonard.

Catherine Leonard
Baird Warner

Kathy Lichtenstein Board Member

Kathy Lichtenstein
Rex's Place

Foundation board member, Amy Mosser

Amy Mosser
GDE Group LLC

Natasha Bannatyle Richards Board Member

Natasha Bannatyle Richards
John Crane, Inc.

Foundation Board member, Jeff Rodriguez

Jeffrey Rodriguez
United Parcel Service

Steve Salaman Board Member

Steve Salaman
Brookdale Senior Living

Howard S. Singer Board Member

Howard S. Singer

Foundation Board member, Nancy Sullivan

Nancy Sullivan
Illinois Ventures

Karen Tollenaar Demorest Board Member

Karen Tollenaar Demorest
Youth Job Center (retired)

Cindy Veremis Board Member

Cindy Veremis
LSG Sky Chefs (retired) 

Ella Woodford-Parker Board Member

Ella Woodford-Parker
Ascension Holy Family
Director Emeritus

Foundation Board Member, Gus Schaefer

August Schaefer
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (retired)
Ex Officio Liaisons

Bill Stafford Board Member

Bill Stafford
trustee

Ruben Howard II Board Member

Ruben Howard II
industry partner

Carol Bustamante Board Member

Carol Bustamante
faculty

Foundation Board Member, Dayani Pieri

Dayani Pieri
alumni
John W. Nason Award recipientThe Foundation Board is a proud recipient of the Association of Governing Board’s prestigious 2024 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership which recognizes higher education governing boards that have demonstrated innovation and exemplary leadership.