Naperville Education Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

The Naperville Education Foundation (NEF), which raises and grants funds for programs that enrich and enhance the educational experience of Naperville School District 203 students, welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustees: Mr. Bryan Barger and Mr. Lance Jansen. “NEF is pleased to welcome Bryan Barger and Lance Jansen to our board,” said Alissa Johnson Tripas, Chair of the NEF Board of Trustees. “We appreciate their commitment to NEF and the knowledge and experience they bring to the board. We look forward to their contributions to the work NEF does.”

Bryan Barger

Bryan Barger is Managing Director and Team Lead of Treasury and Payment Solutions at BMO Harris Bank. He joins the board on behalf of BMO Harris. He has been with the bank since 2005 and has extensive experience advising clients on treasury and payment needs – from Fortune 1000 to government clients. He has well-rounded experience in all aspects of client payments and receivables. Bryan currently leads a team of treasury and card professionals covering both private and public-sector clients. Prior to joining BMO Harris Bank, Bryan was a Global Account Manager with AT&T Communications, focusing on technology and efficiency solutions for his clients.

Bryan has lived in Naperville since 1998 and has been involved in the district through his two sons’ involvement in music programs, dual language program and athletics. “I appreciate the opportunities that District 203 has provided my children and would like to give back to the District through my work with NEF,” Bryan said.

Lance Jansen

Lance Jansen is a Project Manager at Chicago Bridge & Iron, building water towers and other tanks for the water and waste water industry.

Born and raised in Naperville, he is a proud graduate of District 203 (Naper Elementary, Washington Junior High and Naperville North High School). He has two daughters in the district, and his wife Jennifer Jansen is a teacher at Naperville Central High School. “I feel a strong pull to support teachers in any way possible and staying involved is the least I can do. I was involved in WATCH D.O.G.S. at Mill Street while my kids were there, and now it is time to continue the support in different ways,” Jansen said. “Working with NEF provides this opportunity.”

Current Board Members

Barger and Jansen join the following members of the current Board of Trustees:

• Alissa Johnson Tripas, Chair
• Jordan T. Johnson, Treasurer
• Russ Heitz, Secretary; Chair, Governance Committee
• Michele Cushing, Co-Chair, Resource Development Committee; Co-Chair TEAM NEF
• Irene Hale, Chair, Finance Committee
• Monica Lucibello, Co-Chair, Marketing and Communications Committee; Co-Chair TEAM NEF
• Neveen Michael, Chair, Grants
• John D. Roegner, Co-Chair, Resource Development Committee
• Amy Schade, Co-Chair, Marketing and Communications Committee
• Sabina Abdul-Qadir
• Dan Bridges, Superintendent of Schools
• Darrell T. Carpenter
• Trish Fairbanks
• Larry Hartley
• Kristin Sattayatam
• Donna Wandke, Board of Education District

Liaisons and Student Representatives (non-voting)

• Zahra Jumani, NNHS Student Representative
• Kierra Beeson, NCHS Student Representative
• Julie Carlsen, District 203 Director of Community Relations
• Stacy Colgan, District 203 Supervisor of Social Work Services
• Tracy Dvorchak, Principal, Prairie Elementary School
• Jackie Romberg, Board Advisor, Community Member
• Dr. Jennifer Hester Schalk, Chief Academic Officer, Naperville 203

Ex-Officio

• Wendy Goettsch, Donor Data Manager
• Kitty Ryan, Interim Executive Director

ABOUT NEF:

NEF raises private funds for public education to fund programs that enrich learning experiences, provide essentials and support education for students across the entire school district. The funds go beyond what tax dollars alone can support in the District. NEF’s mission is to “encourage creativity, innovation and excellence in our students.” NEF programs include the Kid Booster Anonymous Fund, Study Skills Academy, the Start the Day Program, Annual Grant Awards and the Trustee Awards. For more information, please see www.nef203.org.