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A creek flowing through a prairie at sunset.

MEET 
OUR TEAM

The Nature Foundation of Will County is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Directors are individuals from throughout Will County, are leaders in their respective communities, and are passionate about the Forest Preserve, its mission, and furthering the goals of The Nature Foundation of Will County. 

STAFF

Tara Neff

Executive Director

Cynthia Harn

Program Coordinator

Officers

Chair - Jennifer Gabrenya, Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse, Romeoville, IL
Vice Chair - Margaret Tyson, Valley View School District 365-U, Bolingbrook, IL
​Treasurer - Laura McCarthy, Caterpillar, Naperville, IL
Secretary - Marcella DeMauro, Forest Preserve District of Will County (Retired), Joliet, IL

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Directors 

Ann Dralle, Former Forest Preserve Commissioner, Lemont, IL
Jim Flax, TradeStation Securities, Crete, IL
Colleen Lyons, Old Second Bank, Homer Glen, IL
​Ragan Pattison, Harbour Construction, Homer Glen, IL
Donna Theimer, Joliet Junior College (Retired), Shorewood, IL 

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Ex Officio Directors

Julie Berkowicz, Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners
Elnalyn Costa, Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners
Jackie Traynere, Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners  
Ralph Schultz, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Joliet, IL

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Board service 

The Foundation's Board consists of three to eleven voting directors, and four ex-officio (non-voting) directors which include the Forest Preserve District's Executive Director and three members of its Board of Commissioners. Board members are the fiduciaries who steer The Nature Foundation of Will County toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical and legal governance and financial management policies.

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Board meetings​ 

Board meetings are held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sugar Creek Administration Center at 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and meeting minutes for prior years are available upon request. Call 815-722-2022 or email us at thenaturefoundation@fpdwc.org for more information or to make a request.

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