Board Of Directors
2025/2026Our Mission
The mission of Caring Women’s Connection is to raise funds through events and donations to support charitable organizations that serve women and children in need in Lake County, Illinois. The funds we raise are held in the “Love Fund”.
- Our calendar year runs from July to June.
- We begin in September with a Welcome Event.
- Our two main fundraisers are the Love Fund Auction in October and the Spring Luncheon in April.
- Caring Women’s Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our EIN is 36-3311425. Please retain your donation receipt for your records.
- We begin accepting grant applications from 501 (c) (3) organizations in Lake County, Illinois that support our mission in January. The Grant Committee reviews all applications and presents them to the board in May/ June for a vote on where we can provide the most impact to qualified nonprofits.
Anne Marie Brown
President
The President leads the board and organization, helps determine direction and initiatives for CWC, communicates with board members and committees, acts as an ambassador for CWC within the community. president@caringwomensconnection.com
Vicky de los Reyes
Vice President
The Vice-President shares the designated responsibilities of the President as required. Will preside at all meetings and shall replace the President when the President is unable to fulfill their obligations. vicepresident@caringwomensconnection.com
Amoret Wilkins
Treasurer
Treasurer: Maintains and updates all CWC’s financial records using QuickBooks; provides documents for annual tax returns, oversees deposits and payments; tracks expenses and budgets for various categories; collects payments at events; keeps the board updated on financial status and end-of-year balance available for grants. treasurer@caringwomensconnection.com
Debbie McGuire
Secretary
Secretary: Attends monthly board meetings and other important meetings and records and distributes the meeting minutes. secretary@caringwomensconnection.com
Chris Geimer
Marketing/ Past President
Marketing: Design and create campaign and event graphics, invitations, programs and signage; layout and design newsletter and coordinate advertising, printing and mailing to local households. chris@caringwomensconnection.com
Joy Little
Grant Chair
Grants: Coordinates grant application forms, posting and review of applications; provides the Board with summary sheets for each applicant and provides supplemental information as needed; leads the allocation meeting in May. grants@caringwomensconnection.com
Susan Passaglia
Community Outreach Co-Chair
Community Outreach: Promotes CWC Corporate Membership and sponsorships to the local business community: coordinates fundraising events with businesses: tracks benefits for and maintains communication with Corporate Members; participates in local networking group, chamber and other local events. outreach@caringwomensconnection.com
Paula Hoerner
Community Outreach Co-Chair
Community Outreach: Promotes CWC Corporate Membership and sponsorships to the local business community: coordinates fundraising events with businesses: tracks benefits for and maintains communication with Corporate Members; participates in local networking group, chamber and other local events. paula@caringwomensconnection.com
Danielle Boreczky
Co-Chair Philanthropy/ Past President
Philanthropy: Leads annual purchasing and distribution for Backpack Mania, Thanksgiving dinner donations and Holiday Helpers for local shelters, including coordinating specific requests and deliveries; maintains relationships with local charitable organizations and shelters and their needs and works with volunteers. danielle@caringwomensconnection.com
Patty Stanko
Philanthropy Co-Chair
Philanthropy: Leads annual purchasing and distribution for Backpack Mania, Thanksgiving dinner donations and Holiday Helpers for local shelters, including coordinating specific requests and deliveries; maintains relationships with local charitable organizations and shelters and their needs and works with volunteers. pattys@caringwomensconnection.com
Kate Zwiefelhofer
Philanthropy Co-Chair
Philanthropy: Leads annual purchasing and distribution for Backpack Mania, Thanksgiving dinner donations and Holiday Helpers for local shelters, including coordinating specific requests and deliveries; maintains relationships with local charitable organizations and shelters and their needs and works with volunteers. katez@caringwomensconnection.com
Susanne DePaepe
Caring Contributors
Caring Contributors
Caring Contributors: Communicates with interested individuals, donors, and attendees to provide updates, answer questions, and maintain ongoing relationships. Plans Opening, St. Patty’s Day and Year End events. Coordinates relevant CWC informational materials at our
events.
Laura Hoyt-Staley
Donations Chair
Donations: Solicits and coordinates raffle item donations for major events; prepares items, sets up raffle & item descriptions.
Karen Korenkiewicz
Hospitality Chair
Hospitality/Decor: Helps with social events; designs and creates decor for themed events (Love Fund Auction and Spring Luncheon).
Laurie Wilhoit
President Emeritus/ Communications
Communications: Maintains, updates and creates content for our CWC website and social media; creates and distributes regular emails to our database; provides promotion and PR for campaigns and events; helps write articles for the newsletter. Laurie Wilhoit: