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Dominican University introduces 2011-2012 Community Leadership Program participants
The Dominican University Brennan School of Business welcomed a new class of 17 emerging and existing leaders from the Oak Park-River Forest community to its Community Leadership program, presented in partnership with the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and Community works.

The CLP is a nine-month program during which participants work with Brennan facilitators and experts from different areas of the community to develop leadership skills and find solutions to community issues.

The curriculum includes creative problem solving, developing and managing talent, negotiation and conflict resolution, project management and strategic planning.

“The Brennan School of Business is pleased to be working with these leaders to help them to have impact with integrity in their organizations and communities,” said Arvid Johnson, dean of the Brennan School of Business.

The interdisciplinary program is designed to connect leaders from different sectors to work together for common goals.

Community Leadership Program
at a glance
- 17 community members in 2011-2012 class
- Instructors from Brennan School of Business
- Preparing leaders in education, sustainability, economic development

The 2011-2012 class includes leaders from community institutions including public schools, universities, libraries and medical centers as well as public service agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.

The group meets monthly for expert lectures, group discussion and leadership development. November’s session hosted the village managers and elected officials from the municipal governments of Oak Park and River Forest.

"We are fostering knowledge about and concern for the communities in which they live and work by giving them the tools to create some kind of sustainable solution for problems or issues that Oak Park and River Forest are facing," said Grace Whiting, the program's coordinator. "Connecting people is a big part of it."

Through the program, participants work in teams to develop plans to combat specific community issues. Among the outcomes from last year’s cohort are a website that organizes information about OPRF community organizations, a proposal to create an advisory program to increase high school graduation rates and a program to provide families with resources to combat childhood obesity in the home.

“These individuals will provide important capacity to Oak Park and River Forest as they prepare to face the challenges of the 21st Century,” Johnson said.

This year’s participants are:

• Merryl Brownlow, principal, Willard School, River Forest District 90
• Cari Christoff, Child and Family Director, West Cook YMCA
• Jose Garcia, assistant director of career development, Dominican University
• Missy Hawley, assistant director of admissions, Concordia University Chicago
• Abby Miller, director of programs, Greenline Wheels
• Sean Olis, personal banker, Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest
• Joan Ornsby, chief operating officer, West Suburban Medical Center
• James O’Shea, sergeant, River Forest Police Department
• Michael Pikowski, president/owner, 911 Bookkeeping
• David Romano, leasing agent, Oak Park Apartments
• Viktor Schrader, vice president, Oak Park Development Corp.
• Leigh A. Tarullo, assistant manager, adult and teen services, Oak Park Public Library
• Jennifer Thomas, vice president, Serenity Partners LLC
• Liz Visteen, health and fitness supervisor, Park District of Oak Park
• Cathy Woods, assistant vice president, Forest Park National Bank
• Cathy Yen, founder and principal, LocalOakPark.com

For more information about the CLP, visit the Brennan School of Business website.