30 COMMUNITY MEMBERS GRADUATE FROM 21ST LEADERSHIP EVANSTON SIGNATURE CLASS Applications Being Accepted Through July 15 for 22nd Class

EVANSTON, IL -- On June 13, Evanston Community Foundation’s Leadership Evanston program graduated its 21st Signature Leadership Evanston class.  These 30 energetic and motivated individuals join nearly 600 alumni, developing an expanding network of committed, insightful community leaders.

Leadership Evanston is now recruiting for the 22nd class which begins September 12th.  The program encourages local residents, workers and business owners to be more engaged in the community.  Participants gain a broader and deeper knowledge of Evanston and examine and practice key leadership skills, becoming more inspired, more connected and more involved during the 10 month program.  To join the next class, go to www.evanstonforever.org or call 847-492-0900 for more information. The application deadline is July 15, 2013.

This year’s graduates strived to make an impact through group projects. Individuals collaborated within four groups to address community issues including economic development, affordable housing, culture of community and education.   The Culture of Community project group committed to promoting safe and friendly neighborhoods by fostering opportunities for interaction among neighborhood. They focused on increasing the number of block parties by developing an interactive forum for sharing tips for block party success:  http://sharedstreetsevanston.com/2012/11/23/blockparties.

Newly minted graduate Diane Claussen, Managing Director of the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University, said, “I loved the range of Evanston resources and challenges that was incorporated into the Leadership Evanston experience.  I learned something about how Northwestern University is perceived off campus and how different that perception is from the reality I experience working at Northwestern on a daily basis.” 

"Working on a team comprised mostly of "strangers" was an enlightening experience that provided challenges and discoveries,” said Matt Trewartha, of State Representative Robyn Gabel’s office.

 “I found it inspiring to work with individuals who were equally passionate about the positive role that block parties have on the community, as well as to explore what our own definitions and examples of "community" were. Together, our group was able to look at data pertaining to the City of Evanston, and scholarly social research, to plot the block party oases and deserts, explore the reasons why there are fewer in specific wards, and come together on an action plan that will hopefully make it easier and more comfortable for people to get to know their neighbors. In the end, I think we all found this group project to be a very beneficial experience to ourselves, each other, and to the community," Trewartha concluded.

In addition to Claussen and Trewartha, the distinguished members of Leadership Evanston Signature Class XXI include:

Elena Garcia Ansani, McGaw YMCA Board, Latino Resource

Svetlana Baklanova, Practice HORA-USA, Evanston Chambers of Commerce

Susan Bartlett-Ye, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Mike Baskin, Inclusion Solutions

Jennifer Billingsley, ZS Associates

Shannon Callahan, Howard Area Community Center

Matt DiNello, Downtown Evanston

Leonard English, SeniorServ, The Chessman Club of the North Shore

Shelly Spencer Fitzsimmons, Media/TV producer

Tracy Fulce, Oakton Community College

Niki Horrell, YWCA Board

Rick Hubbard, YOU Board

Meagan Jones, Economic Development, City of Evanston

Tony Kirchmeier, Off-Campus Life, Northwestern University

Paul Klitzkie, Nature Perspective Landscaping, West End Business District

Sue Loellbach, Connections for the Homeless

Glen Madeja, Frances Willard Historical Association

Ann Rhomberg, Solidarity Bridge

Leslie Rice, Youth Organizations Umbrella (Y.O.U.)

Brooke Roothaan, Evanston Public Library Board

Robin Rue, Signature Construction Services, Evanston Black Business Alliance

Melissa Sacluti, Evanston Police Department

Joel Servillo, ETHS Alumni Association, Gene Servillo Consulting, Incorporated

Jessica Vlahogiannis, Evanston Escola de Samba 

Natalie Watson, Evanston 150, Walk n’ Roll

Sharon Weeks, Second Baptist Church, Evanston Township High School

Kristin Winter, Skokie Community Foundation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Joe Wright, Roycemore School

Leadership Evanston has had a significant positive impact on our community. Besides serving as aldermen and on Evanston’s school boards, graduates have been instrumental in creating significant local initiatives and organizations. Many Evanston non-profit and civic boards and organizations, such as McGaw YMCA, the Center for Independent Futures, Seniors Action Service of Evanston, the Evanston Environment Board, Evanston/North Shore YWCA, Evanston History Center, and the Youth Job Center, benefit from the infusion of skills and perspective from Leadership Evanston graduates.