Meet Our Board of Directors: Guiding Our Educational Mission
We are a dedicated group of volunteers who believe in the talent, creativity, and energy of our students and the contributions they make to our local communities. We embrace the power of collaboration with people of all backgrounds.
Board Members
Click board members’ names to view their profiles.
Officers
David Putrus, Chair (Niles West, 1997)
Mr. Putrus is Vice President at First Bank & Trust in Skokie.
Mr. Putrus serves on the board of directors of the Skokie Lions Club, the Coalition of Asian American Communities in Skokie, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, The Douglas Center, the North Suburban Business Development Foundation, and the Skokie North Shore Sculpture Park. He serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.
He is involved with the Old Orchard Chapter of the LeTip Commission, the Village of Skokie Temporary Zoning Commission, the Village of Skokie Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, the Skokie Caucus Party, and the Membership and Advisory Committees of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Member of the Skokie Festival of Cultures, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, and I.M.O.D. (Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie).
Mr. Putrus earned a degree from Triton College and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He brings strategic planning, finance, customer service, banking, credit, commercial, and small business lending skills to the board.
Alyse Burman, Vice Chair (Niles North, 1975)
Alyse Cohen Burman is the owner of The WildBird Shack, Ltd., an independent retail wild bird store located at 854 E. Northwest Highway in Mt. Prospect. Burman creates an awareness of birds, conservation, and nature through her myriad of presentations offered at senior communities, libraries, garden clubs, schools, and community and nature centers.
She currently serves as Director for the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Director for the Niles Township Food Pantry.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois, Chicago, an MPA from Roosevelt University, and an MBA from the Lake Forest School of Management.
Ken Clinkman, CIT, CECP, LSSGB, Treasurer & Secretary
Mr. Clinkman has spent over 30 years of his career in the field of telecommunications, concentrating on operations and training. He is a board member of the North American Data Communications Museum and serves as Executive Vice President of Finance for Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie. He served for many years on the board of the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation and continues to devote time to various community efforts. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Klezmer Music Foundation, home of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band.
Mr. Clinkman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Eastern Illinois University and continues to achieve industry certifications.
He brings skills in strategic planning, team building, and telecommunications to the board.
Members
Jeff Burman (Niles East Class of 1976)
Jeff Burman, a 45-year resident of Skokie, is Vice President of Business Development for Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company (GTL) and President of VantageAmerica Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTL.
Mr. Burman has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. During that time, he served in various roles within industry associations, including as President and board member of the Council for Affordable Health Insurance and the Policy Coordinating Committee of America’s Health Insurance Plan.
He is the former President of the community-based organization Neighbors United. He is currently a Commissioner on the Skokie Plan Commission and a Board Member of the Skokie Caucus Party.
He graduated from Niles East High School and the University of Illinois Chicago Circle. He holds an MBA from Loyola University with a concentration in Marketing. He brings skills in strategic planning, executive management, team building, marketing, insurance, health and life insurance, and sales to his role on the Education Foundation board.
Mark Collins
Mark Collins is a professional actor, corporate narrator, and spokesperson. He is an active community organizer and spokesperson for many causes. He is a Niles Township Trustee, serves on the Community Advisory Board of Skokie Hospital, and is involved with the Niles Township Food Pantry Board as the event emcee. He also has served on the Skokie Human Services Advisory Board.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Theater from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Michael Graham, Niles West Teacher
Michael Graham has been an English Teacher in District 219 for 23 years, the first fourteen at Niles North and the last nine at Niles West. During his time in the district, Michael has served on a wide range of building-based, district-wide, and community-based committees and has been involved in a number of district initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning in D219. Michael is currently the Chair of the Partnership Financial Credit Union (PFCU) Board of Directors; he has served on the PFCU board and its predecessor board, the Niles Township Schools Credit Union (NTSCU), for 18 years. Michael has also served on the board of Progress219 and SkoMor Soccer Club, including time on the executive boards of both organizations.
Michael received a BA in Journalism from Temple University, an MED from The University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MA from Northeastern Illinois University.
Michael and his wife, Sally, who has also worked in D219 for more than two decades, have lived in Skokie for 13 years. Their four children will attend Niles North.
Lisa Hanley (Niles East Class of 1977)
Lisa Hanley is a retired compliance officer who currently works part-time as the Fee Assistance Coordinator at the Skokie Park District. She has been involved with the Les Turner ALS Foundation since 2012, and her fundraising team, Pat's Warriors, has raised over $125,000 since the team's inception. She has been on the Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation board (the fundraising arm for the Niles Township Food Pantry) for over 7 years. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Skokie 4th of July Parade committee and has been dedicated to the Marching Bands' performances. She is on the board of the Madison Place Condo Association and has been President for the past two years. Living a lifestyle filled with community service has always been part of her life. Learning to value a broader life perspective, having humility, compassion, and empathy, all while learning new skills and experiences and then reinvesting them into the community is her definition of a meaningful life. She hopes to help the Education Foundation create and implement positive changes for the community.
Julio Rodriguez, (Niles North, 2008)
Julio Rodriguez is the office manager at Forde & O’Meara LLP. His fortes include operations, business development, financial reporting, and payroll administration. Additionally, Julio has an MBA in management from Roosevelt University, a BA in economics and political science from Northeastern Illinois University, and a reputation for integrity and a strong work ethic. He formerly worked for the Skokie Park District Skatium for 14 years. Julio also loves District 219 history and enjoys connecting with various alums to discuss their experiences with the district.
Diana Rumsley
Diana Rumsley’s long-standing commitment to the community is recognized through her passion and volunteer obligations at Fairview School District 72. As the owner of Village Inn Restaurant, one of the preeminent gathering locations in Skokie, she has developed an extensive community network that is layered with respect by all she encounters. Currently, Diana serves as the Secretary for the Skokie Caucus Party. Her energy, enthusiasm, and input have been invaluable and will no doubt be a huge asset to The Foundation.
Gail Paskind, Consultant
Student Directors
Adam Namache, Niles North
Wendu Elue, Niles North
Yohanna Endashaw Niles West
Staff Liaisons
Joe Bruzzino, Niles Central Principal
Samina Hussain, Staff Liaison, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator
Samina Hussain is actively involved in the Niles Township Community. She served on the Board of Education of District 67 for 16 years, was a past PTA Officer in D67, served as a Morton Grove Community Relations Commissioner for ten years (Chaired the MGCRC for five years), and has held various leadership roles at the Muslim Community Center and the community at large. She helps develop close connections between D219 and other community partners. Her works include but have not been limited to Coming Together in Skokie & Niles Township, Co-Chairing the Niles Township Youth Coalition, Reaching out to D219 Alumni, and collaborating with Villages and their Chambers. Samina serves as the main administrative support for The Education Foundation.
Are you interested in becoming an Education Foundation director? Please fill out this form and email it to Alyse Burman at 219educationfoundation@gmail.com.
Contact Information
