CLC Foundation Board of Directors



We create life-changing opportunities for Lake County residents

Our mission is to inspire philanthropic giving to

  • support student scholarships
  • fund transformative capital projects
  • enhance college programs

Our priorities are your priorities

The College of Lake County Foundation strives to provide a debt-free, quality educational experience to every Lake County student who seeks one. We drive ongoing student success through sustainable, robust financial support systems to meet the evolving needs of Lake County learners. We help to create a thriving community and valued workforce for local employers and institutions.

The Foundation aims to be donors' trusted, first choice for educational giving. We are reliable, responsive and relentless in meeting student needs and supporting the College's mission to deliver high quality, accessible and equitable learning opportunities.

Explore funding opportunities and events

Foundation Board of Directors

Renee Young*
Chair
Retired, W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Glenda Abbott
Vice Chair
Retired, Abbott Laboratories

Scot Parker, AIA, LEED AP
Secretary
Principal, Project Manager, Legat Architects

James W. Beckham, MBA, PAHM®
Treasurer
Interim Vice President of Business Services and Finance CFO, College of Lake County



Lincoln Abbey
Software Engineer
CME Group

Jorge Cantú, Ph.D.*
Director of the SCSE, Associate Professor
Northeastern Illinois University

Paul Diamond*
Chief Executive Officer
Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.

Lesly Flores
VP, Community Development Manager
Old National Bank

Judith A. Haga
Retired Teacher

Darryl Levon Harlan
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs

Meg Largay
Retired
Old National Bank

Christine López, M.Ed., ACE-CPT*
Principal
Lopez Consulting, Inc.

Val Munchez-van der Wagt*, AALU, CLU, J.D.
Owner/Principal
VMvdW Law, PC and VM Insurance Consulting

Tiffany Peppers*
Executive Director
JIC Community Development Corp.

Chris Piazzi
Branch President
Libertyville Bank & Trust Co, N.A. / Wintrust

R. Lee Piekarz, CPA, M.B.A.
Chief Financial Officer
City of Hope Chicago

Maria A. Rivera-Ripoll
Founder
Maria Rivera-Ripoll Coaching LLC

Joanna Rolek
Executive Director
Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce

Sandra L. Shinsky
Retired
Wintrust Private Trust Company

Lisa Trace
Broker
REALTOR: @ Properties Christies International Real Estate

Michael S. Trimble*
Senior Vice President
First Bank Chicago

Ester C. Viti
Vice President
Viti Financial

Bob Worobow, M.B.A.
Owner/President
RRW & Associates

Jan Zobus
Retired Legislative Assistant


CLC Board of Trustees Liaison

Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., P.E., S.E.
Principal
Virgilio & Associates, Ltd.

CLC Faculty Liaison

Marcus S. Morgan
Instructor, Business Administration
College of Lake County

Board Professional

Rachel Slater
Assistant to the Executive Director
College of Lake County Foundation
Email: rslater1@clcillinois.edu

Ex-Officio Board Members

Lori Suddick, Ed.D.
President
College of Lake County

Ali O'Brien, Ed.D.
Vice President of Community and Workforce Partnerships
College of Lake County

Kristen Jones, Ed.D.
Vice President of Education
College of Lake County

Leigh Ann Jacobson, CFRE
Executive Director & Chief Development Officer
College of Lake County Foundation


* denotes College of Lake County Alumni

Together with you we make a lasting impact



The Urban Farm Center at Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan is a major capital project. We broke ground June 2025. Watch the video of the beam signing event with donors and staff.

Watch video of beam signing on YouTube


CLC scholarships benefit students, their families and all of Lake County. Watch the scholarship video to learn how donor support impacts the community.

Watch the CLC Foundation Scholarship video on YouTube