Meet The Team
Our staff members bring diverse experience and skills, but share two qualities: the genuine appreciation for the unique personalities of our participants and a commitment to helping them succeed every day.
Lisa Najem Flanagan
Executive Director
Sylvia Berman-Peck
Development Director
Megan Zegler
Finance & Administration Director
Sterling Humphrey
Senior Program Leader
Jack Armstrong
Program Leader
Jamie Weller
Program Manager
Julie Hank
Program Leader
Brianna Nielsen
Program Leader
Penny Zegler
Program Leader
Patrick McGillicuddy
Program Leader
Peggy Lavelle
Finance & Administration Assistant
Barbara Schroeder
Program Leader
Jessie Wengerski
Program Leader
Amethyst Strivelli
Program Leader
Kelly Rayfield
Program Director
Our Board
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Chris Carr
Chris is a former industry leader holding positions in engineering, marketing and general management. She currently serves as Executive Director of Camp Hope of Illinois and is the Chair of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff CROYA (Committee Representing Young Adults) Lake Forest/Lake Bluff adult board.
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Jane A. Gallery
Jane is the founder of Our Place and serves as President of the Board of Directors. She is also a founding member of Our House Communities, an organization providing innovative community-based housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s been a volunteer at the New Trier Food pantry, with her son Frank, since 2009.
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Matt Cohen
Matt Cohen is the founder of Matt Cohen & Associates and is well known for his work in special education law. He has served on boards at both the national and local levels and has lectured nationally on a wide variety of special education topics, as well as on mental health and confidentiality law and has authored numerous articles on these subjects.
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Bob Linn
Bob is a Certified Public Accountant and volunteer at Chicago a cappella, Winnetka Congregational Church and previously at New Foundation Center, Winnetka School District 36, and Winnetka Park District.
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Camille De Frank
Camille De Frank is a Founding board member, and Officer, Women’s Advisory Board, Misericordia. Member of Impact 100 Chicago.
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Ann Dronen
Ann serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. She is an experienced information technology professional, most recently serving as an Information Technology director at Northwestern University. Ann also serves on the Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission and is Treasurer-Elect for the Misericordia Women's Auxiliary.
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Pamela Sheridan Pappano
Pamela Sheridan Pappano is a practicing lawyer and also serves as Arbitrator, Cook County Board of Arbitration and as a Substitute Teacher at Loyola Academy.
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Carol Finnegan
Carol has wide ranging volunteer experience at Cove School, JJslist and Search, Inc., founding member of Cutting Edge Alumni group at Edgewood College, former HR Manager and Clinical Social Worker.
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Kay Pothast
Kay leads the special education kinetic wellness programs at New Trier High School and built the Special Olympics Program to provide students with disabilities meaningful athletic opportunities with peer coach support. She brings over 25 years of expertise and experience in supporting people with disabilities.
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Lisa Flanagan
Lisa practiced law for 14 year specializing is environmental coverage, mass tort and large exposure losses. She has served on nonprofit boards over many years, with an emphasis on board governance. For the last 16 years, she has chaired or served as a committee member in fundraising efforts for multiple organizations. Aside from her duties as Executive Director, she serves on the Cove School Board of Directors.
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Diann Sheridan
Diann is a former Prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Adjunct faculty at Oakton Community College and Harper College, Misericordia Women’s Board and volunteer.
Employment at
Our Place
If you have a passion for working with people who have developmental disabilities reach out to us.
Contact Lisa Flanagan at info@ourplaceofnewtrier.org