People(backup)

People

It's people who make the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn successful. Volunteers, donors, board members and staff all play a vital role in giving you and your children an exceptional, fun and educational experience.

Board Members (click on photo to learn more about them)

Darlene Blanz, President Founding Board Member 2000- 35 years in Elementary Education as a Teacher and Principal, Retired, Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award B.S. in Ed., M. in Ed., C.A.S. in Educational Leadership Little known facts: President of Cook and Will Counties Future Homemakers of America in high school and grew up on a farm Personal pondering: My heroine is Eleanor Roosevelt “A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.”

Cathy Cepican, Vice President Founding Board Member 2000- Board President from 2002-2016. During term as President was on the hiring committee for Adam Woodworth, our current Executive Director. One of the best decisions EVER!!!!! Was president during the big move to Museum Drive from our 900 foot museum on East Shore Drive. Helped secure many of the exhibits for the new museum from Tennessee. Retired from Education after 50 years. Former teacher, Preschool Director, and Director of Christian Education. My love for the museum and its mission continues after over 20 years on the Board.

Ann Willingham, 2nd Vice President 2009-2015 and 2019- Extensive experience in nonprofit executive search and workforce solutions. Certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through HRCI. Earned Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential through SHRM. Strategic partner and collaborator. B.S. degree in Speech Pathology from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Little known fact: I’m a published songwriter in Russia. Personal pondering: Whatever became of all the first graders I taught in another life?

Ian Chafee, Secretary 2015- 22 years as a technology specialist with Burbank School District #111 BA in History from North Central College in Naperville Oak Lawn High School class of 1990 Served 10 years on the North Palos School District #117 Board of Education Currently a Board Member with the Green Hills Library Fun Fact: Went to college on a partial music scholarship - I played the trombone

Quinn Mucker, Treasurer Founding Board Member 2000- Quinn and his wife Kathy moved to Oak Lawn over 50 years ago, raising 5 children here. They are now grandparents to 15 (and growing) 5 of whom are members of the Museum. Quinn has a local CPA firm, J. Quinn Mucker, Ltd., in practice for over 45 years working with individuals and small businesses. He is the Treasurer of the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation and a member of St. Gerald’s Parish Finance Committee. Quinn is currently the Board Chair of Alvernia Manor, Independent Living Facility in Lemont, IL.

Kevin Mathers, Past President 2005- I started as a volunteer 16 years ago and have been blessed to have been in a leadership role most of my CMOL tenure. Own KGM Home Inspection and Licensed Home Inspector in IL & IN. Also, a Technical Trainer for American Home Inspector Training, Certifying and Licensing Home Inspectors nationwide.

Melissa Ames

Linda Bensen Board Member 2000- Trinity Lutheran Church, Associate in Ministry, retired 2019 after 52 years!! Co-chair of the Capital Campaign Event Who doesn’t like “creative and educational” play? That is what is so important about the mission of the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, IL. It has been a privilege for me to be a board member of this special place for several years. For 50 plus years, I worked with Youth and Educational Ministry at a Lutheran Church. Recently retired, I now have more time to enjoy gardening, crafts, cooking/baking, music, and volunteering.

Laura Boyle 2016- Laura has been a high school science teacher for 13 years and believes that play based learning is a fun and meaningful way to spark curiosity and wonder! She has a B.S. in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois, M.A. in Biology from Miami University, and M.S. in secondary education from Quincy University. She is currently working on her Ed.D. from the University of South Carolina in STEM Education. Her research focuses on equity in STEM grading practices.

Chris Buschbach 2021- Chris went to Sward School and Oak Lawn High School always loving the community. University of Denver, Business Degree. St. Xavier’s MBA. Chris has 12 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews and has always thought the museum was a great place for children to explore their curiosity. Joining the board last year really has meant a lot. “It’s so important to have a place for children to interact with each other and the museum is a perfect place for that to be accomplished.”

Joan Buschbach Founding Board Member 2000- Former owner Buschbach Insurance Company, recently retired . Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, member and past president, Oak Lawn Library Board of Directors, member and past president, Member Trinity Lutheran Church, past council president. Joan and her late husband, Jim, were very instrumental in securing the first and current museum building and have always been supportive. Joan continues to think the museum is wonderful and is still one of her passions.

Heather Duncan 2022- Heather Duncan NBCT is a Child Development professor, Consultant, Trainer, Coach and Early Childhood Dean of Teaching & Learning at University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She helmed her first classroom in Posen-Robbins School District 143 ½, then founded Ahadi Early Learning Center which she directed for 5 years before joining Chicago Public Schools as a Preschool teacher. She is a 2015-17 America Achieves National Fellow, a 2016 Chicago Foundation for Education ARLI Research Fellow, a 2018-19 Teach Plus Early Childhood Fellow and winner of Chicago’s 2018 Golden Apple For Excellence In Teaching Award. She holds a BA in English and MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois, a certificate in Early Childhood Leadership from Erikson Institute and is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Bill Egan 2006- Bill grew up and stayed in Oak Lawn, one of eleven children. Bill is married to Rita and has 3 grown children. Bill is a former Police Officer, he is a Local 134 Journey Electrician, a Licensed Stationary Engineer, a former Fire and Police Commissioner and a Safety Professional. He received a degree from Saint Xavier University in Business Administration. Employed at World’s Finest Chocolate for 38 years, recently retired. Bill is involved with the Boy Scouts of America were he served at many positions.

Andrea Gardner

William Graham 2014- Bill has been involved with the Museum over the years to do any activities as needed. He initially became involved with the Museum as a long-time educator, corporate manager and consultant for businesses and non-profit organizations. His experience includes: • Started as a Research Psychologist at GE after completing a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology • Worked in several corporate positions after GE as an HR trainer • Worked for the Department of Defense as one of the developers and marketers of the defense entrance exam • Taught at several universities and community colleges as both an adjunct faculty member and was a full-time faculty member at National Louis U, totaling more than 20 years • Was a financial and HR consultant, mergers and acquisitions broker, financial planning and insurance broker over 10 years • Owned and managed a deli in Evanston • Served as a manager at the Candy Institute, fundraising and developing training for candy companies in the Chicago area Adam Woodworth asked him to join the Board because of his wide-ranging experience and the fact that he had written and produced a children’s early reading primer “Breakfast with Sammy” that was designed for mentors (even older children) to help young children read and imagine. He still offers that book free to the Museum. He has served the Museum in the last few years to establish an ongoing endowment fund and helped recruit several board members and friends to contribute.

Eddie Guillen

Jamie Makuch 2014- Born and raised in Oak Lawn, mom of 4 children with endless energy and full of creativity. Career in marketing with experience and expertise in sales, advertising, and event planning as well. Serve as girl scout leader, team mom, volunteer at church, and a member of the Orland Park Recreation Advisory Board. I love being a part of the museum that has had such an impact on so many of the children in the community. Favorite museum events: Princess Ball, holiday events for kids with disabilities, any love being and getting involved with fundraising opportunities for the museum.

Nikki Streets

Greg Weiss 2016- Theatre degree from Northwestern University. Graduated from a career in teaching secondary school theatre for over three decades. Professional storyteller, written & spoken word and recording artist. Recipient of Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council Favorite uncle to a baker’s dozen of nieces and nephews.

Natasha Williams 2022- B.S. in Marketing from Northern Illinois University, Executive MBA from Jack Welch Management Institute Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practitioner & Serial Entrepreneur Favorite Quote: “When I liberate myself, I liberate others.” Fannie Lou Hamer

Patricia Zubricki 2016- Patricia Zubricki board member since 2016. Mother of three and owner of 7 SERVPRO franchises (Fire, Water, mold restoration, remediation, and reconstruction since 2009) in the Chicagoland area. We branched out in 2019 To Florida where we now own 2 more SERVPRO franchises. When I was first approached to be on the board of the Childrens Museum in Oak Lawn it was an easy choice to say yes. The museum represents learning in such a fun way through play, creative thinking, role-playing, and exhibits that stimulate curiosity and motivate learning with hands-on activities that help in the development of children.

Educational Advisory Board

Eileen McCaffrey, Board Chair

Volunteers
There are scores of volunteers who step up to help the Museum with everything! Between helping on the Museum floor, to website design, fundraising, marketing and program, our small army of volunteers help the Museum function on an everyday basis. Next time you visit the Museum and you see one of our volunteers (they wear blue bib aprons), be sure to thank them for giving their time to support our children!