
leadership
Meet the Foundation
Board, Staff, and Supporting Leadership
Board of Directors

Ainsley Borel, Director Ainsley joined the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation Board in 2023. He has spent decades as an investment professional and is currently a Consultant Relationship Manager at Capital Group. Ainsley, who is passionate about education, moved to Oak Park because of the schools and wants to ensure they remain strong for future students. He is an OPRFHS neighbor and the parent of two future Huskie alumni.

Lynn Kamenitsa, Secretary Lynn co-founded the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation in 2019 after volunteering as a co-chair of the Imagine OPRF Work Group in 2017-2018, which made her aware of the need for philanthropic investment to make the Imagine Plan a reality. Lynn is a retired professor who has been an active volunteer in local nonprofits from politics to the performing arts. She’s an Oak Parker and the parent of two OPRF alumni.

Stephen Schuler, President Emeritus Stephen, a lifelong resident and grateful Oak Park River Forest High School alum (‘80), co-founded the Imagine Foundation in 2019 with the mission of helping our OPRF community upgrade facilities at our 150-year-old public high school. A seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and well-recognized leader in the financial industry, Stephen co-founded GETCO (Global Electronic Trading Co) in 2001 and co-led a reverse merger with KCG Holdings, Inc in 2013, with the goal of expanding the global footprint of an American financial services firm engaged in market making, high frequency trading, electronic execution, and institutional sales and trading. Upon merging, the firm had a footprint in over ten countries with a workforce of 2500 employees. Currently, Stephen works as owner and Director of Oak Park based Serenity Capital, LLC, a private investment firm. In 2006, Stephen and his fellow OPRFHS alum and spouse, Mary Jo Schuler, co-founded the Good Heart Work Smart Foundation with a locally focused mission of empowering children to build bright futures for themselves. The Schuler’s describe themselves as “hands on philanthropists” because they believe their in-person collaboration with fellow volunteers and stakeholders maximizes the enduring impact of philanthropic investments in our OPRF community. Through hands-on leadership at the Imagine Foundation, Stephen is committed to upholding the high school’s tradition of excellence by advancing Those Things That are Best for the benefit of current and future students. Stephen serves as Imagine Foundation Board President and is the proud parent of two alums who also feel immensely grateful for their high school experience.

Mark Carroll, Director An OPRF class of '81 alum, Mark joined the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation Board in 2023. He is a principal at Cognitive Capital, a proprietary trading firm based in Chicago. Mark is an supporter of Dominican University and of the Cara Collective, a nonprofit committed to transforming the lives of individuals affected by homelessness and poverty. Mark is an OPRF alumnus who lives in River Forest and is the parent of three OPRF students.

James Keleher, Director James is an OPRF alum (class of ‘01) and lives in Oak Park with his wife and three children. He owns a law practice in Oak Park and is very active in the community. Like many OPRF alums, he cherishes his time as a student there. Grateful for the support from the Oak Park and River Forest community, James felt inspired to join the Imagine Foundation. He is excited to contribute to this innovative project, which aims to fund public works through private donations.

Teddy Scott, Director Teddy has served on the board since 2022. His professional background is a unique combination of pharmaceutical research, intellectual property law, and entrepreneurship. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Chicago Innovation Fund. He lives in Oak Park and is the parent of one OPRF alumnus and three future alumni.

Tom Dwyer, Director An OPRF '96 alum, Tom (a.k.a. “Jr”) joined the Imagine Foundation Board in 2022. He is a member at Thomas J. Dwyer & Associates, LLC, which is where he is a practicing accountant and attorney. Jr is a lifelong River Forest resident and served as a Village Trustee (2013-2017). He is an OPRF alumnus and the parent of two current Huskie students and one soon to be future Huskie. Also, Jr recently gave up wearing pleated pants too!

Laura Maychruk, President Laura joined the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation Board in 2023. She owns Laura Maychruk Real Estate, and founded and ran Buzz Café in Oak Park for 25 years. The President of the Oak Park Arts District, Laura has lived in Oak Park and River Forest and appreciates the education OPRF has provided to her own four children and former employees at Buzz Café.

Kim Hoyt, Treasurer Kim is an OPRF '87 alum, a retired CFO, and has two kids who are 4th generation OPRFHS alumni. Kim has served the OPRFHS community for over 10 years being a member of the initial Imagine OPRF Workgroup, the Community Finance Committee, and the Community Facilities Committee. Kim was also the co-chair of the OPRFHS Classroom Renumbering Project in 2020. Kim believes in the community benefit of upgrading our 150-year-old public high school. She lives in River Forest with her husband.

Kathryn Schmahl, Vice President Kathryn Schmahl joined the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation Board in 2024. She is a product of private school education and is a staunch believer in the importance of investment in our communities and public schools. Kathryn is a communications professional, working in healthcare for the last 15 years. She lives in River Forest and is the parent of three future Huskies.
Staff
supporting leadership

Advisory Council
Paul Beckwith
Susan Bridge
Paul Carbery
Sherry Licht Carbery
Melissa Elsmo
Susie Goldschmidt
Barbara Graham
State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly '79
Jill Lyons
Dee Millard
John Rigas
Bob Spatz '81
Sara Spivy
Shawn Vogen
Kristin Carlson Vogen
Jeff Weissglass
associate board
George Barkidjija '26
Donnie Biggins '04
Brian Cuellar
Luke Doobay '27
Chibuike Enyia '04
Essence Harris '14
Clara Lau '26
Julia Max '26
Michael Raleigh '11
Rebecca Romano '02
Avaa Ruffer '26
Andrea Schuler '17
Graham Templeton '27
Bjorn Vogen '17
Lauren White '05
campaign steering
Mark Fischer '93
Lindsay Gallante '01
Chris Griffith '98
Tania Haigh
Victoria Hansen
Ann Harmon '91
Greer Haseman '76
Leigh Ann Hughes
Ann Kreiter
Karen Lareau
Pete Ryan '85
Olivia Schreiner
Jenny Shepherd
Julie Sievert '91
Joyce Webster



