Board of Directors
For over four decades, Everyone Reading Illinois has endeavored to improve the lives of those who struggle with dyslexia and related learning disabilities.
Dedicated volunteers serve on Everyone Reading Illinois’ Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of background knowledge and passion to our mission. Board members are elected by Everyone Reading Illinois’ membership and contribute their time and talents to ardently support children and adults with dyslexia and related learning challenges, along with their teachers and families.
In addition to planning our conferences and workshops, Everyone Reading Illinois Board members host educational panel discussions about dyslexia and offer a simulation experience that imitates the frustration often experience by those who learn differently. They also give presentations to community groups, provide professional development training to schools, maintain an extensive referral list of professional tutors and diagnosticians, advocate for legislative change, and plan the fundraising efforts needed to support these initiatives.
To further its mission, Board members willingly share their expertise and work closely with other organizations in Illinois and throughout the country. In collaboration with the Illinois School Board of Education, Everyone Reading Illinois Board members have participated on the Reading Instruction Advisory Group (RIAG) and contributed to the 2015 & 2023 Illinois Dyslexia Handbook (as revised), the related Dyslexia Toolkit, and the 2024 Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.
Board of Directors – Executive Members
Alison Lambert
CO-PRESIDENT
Alison holds a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction with a Concentration in Language-Based Learning Disabilities, and is a structured literacy specialist and certified dyslexia therapist.
Passionate about literacy, Alison believes that learning to read is a matter of dignity and a basic human right all children should be able to attain. Her son, profoundly dyslexic, is proof that with proper instruction all children can be successful.
Shira Raviv Schwartz
CO-PRESIDENT
Shira Schwartz is an educational advocate, veteran educator, and dyslexia specialist who has successfully assisted over 500 families in the Chicagoland area with navigating IEP and 504 educational plans. She excels at building strong partnerships, even in challenging interpersonal situations. Shira works with families of students facing various challenges, including learning difficulties, behavioral issues, anxiety, autism, ADHD, executive function challenges, and school refusal.
Additionally, Shira has contributed to the Illinois State Literacy Plan and the Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Educator and Parent Handbook. She and her husband have three grown children and reside in Highland Park.
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Sharon Kacmarcik
VICE-PRESIDENT
Sharon Kacmarcik is an attorney in private practice and holds a BS in Finance. She has advocated for over a decade for children with special needs and learning disabilities in the western suburbs through the Resource Association in Special Education (RAiSE) and the Dyslexia Parent Group. She is the parent of two children with dyslexia.
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Rob Thomas
TREASURER
Rob Thomas, CIMA®, CAIA, is a Senior Investment Consultant with CAPTRUST working with both institutional and private wealth clients. He is deeply committed to advancing awareness and education about the impact of dyslexia on young students, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.
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Laura Johnson
SECRETARY
Laura Johnson is a dedicated High School Literacy Specialist based in DuPage County, Illinois, where she passionately works to enhance literacy skills among middle and high school students. Laura has an undergraduate degree from Elmhurst University, a graduate degree from Concordia University, and an EL Endorsement from St. Francis University. She is LETRS certified and is enrolled in the Slant System Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certification program. Beyond her classroom contributions, Laura shares her insights on secondary literacy intervention at events and conferences.
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Tom Parton
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Tom Parton is a Speech Language Pathologist in Normal, Illinois. Tom has presented on autism and language/literacy topics at local, state, and national conferences. Tom is on ERI’s Legislative and Spring Conference Committees. Tom participated in the ISBE Reading Instruction Advisory Group and Teachers of Reading Certification task forces. He is a member of the Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Educator and Parent Handbook. He is past-president of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Board of Directors – General Members
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Cassie Clark holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Special Education with a concentration in dyslexia, and has completed additional coursework through Yale University’s Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. Cassie is a Wilson Partner Trainer, Certified Wilson Dyslexia Therapist (W.D.T.) and CERI Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS). As Executive Director and Co-Founder of the EAC Dyslexia Center, Cassie’s journey began as a parent of a child with dyslexia and has ignited her passion for helping support students with language-based learning disabilities along with providing professional development to educators. Cassie is a Certified Special Education Dyslexia Advocate, a trusted provider for the International Dyslexia Association and Center for Effective Reading Instruction, and a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and the Learning Disabilities Association.
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David M. Davidson is a reading specialist and the parent of a son with dyslexia. Mike has served as a teacher, administrator, and comprehensive school reform coordinator at the high school level for over 35 years. He has a Master's degree in reading education, has presented on various educational topics at the state and national level, and was instrumental in creating an effective high school reading program for three large suburban high schools. After retiring from teaching, Mike returned to work with students in Adult Transition programs, as well as serving as a reading specialist for high school students.
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Dr. Jessica Douglas
Jessica has served on the board for 8 years and is currently chair of the fall conference committee. She holds an MS in Educational Psychology, an Ed.S. in School Psychology, and an Ed.D. in Human Learning and Development.
She worked as a school psychologist in a suburban school district for 7 years and has been in private practice for 8 years.
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Abigail Greenburg is a reading specialist who is passionate about every child having the right to read. Currently, Abbey is the Director of School Transitions for Redwood Schools. Prior to working at Redwood, she was the Transition Coordinator at Hyde Park Day School. Abbey has taught various grades and served as a special education teacher, as well as a private educational advocate. She received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a Master's in language literacy and specialized instruction from DePaul University.
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Dr. Kimberly Melton Lechner is a School Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with Kids First Collaborative, PLLC in Wheaton. She provides comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for both families and school districts. Before starting a private practice, Kim spent 15 years working in public schools as a behavior intervention specialist, school psychologist, and assistant director of special education. During her tenure, Kim twice received the Those Who Excel Award in the team category from the Illinois State Board of Education. Additionally, she was honored to receive the Crystal Apple, Champion for Children Award for her work as a student services administrator. Kim has a special interest in reading and enjoys collaborating with other specialists to bridge the practice gap between high quality assessment and effective intervention.
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Anne Lundberg is the founder and Head of Distribution for Armitage Partners, a private placement and advisory firm focused on private markets funds and direct investments. Prior to launching Armitage Partners, Anne held various distribution roles in the asset management space, both for hedge-fund-focused firms and long-only managers.
Most recently Anne was Head of North America Distribution and Consultant Relations at Thornburg Investment Management. She is also past president and a former board member of Women Investment Professionals, a member of the University of Chicago Women’s Business Group and a member of 100 Women in Finance.
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Kate Morrone is an environmental engineer in private practice with a specialty in air quality permitting and control. Kate assists industrial and institutional clients in the Midwest with USEPA, IDEM, IEPA, and WDNR regulations. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. Kate is also the parent of a learner with dyslexia.
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Karla O'Brien has over 25 years of experience in education in both classroom and administrative roles. She currently serves as the Executive Director for Professional Development for Classmates Educational Group. She presents nationally to K-12 educators on the topic of dyslexia with the Bureau of Education and Research, as well as trains and certifies teachers in Slant System™ Structured Literacy. Karla has extensive experience working with special education teams, collaborating with families and staff to meet the needs of students with an array of learning needs. She is certified in the Orton-Gillingham methodology, as well as a CERI certified Structured Literacy Interventionist.
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Christine Pederson has over 20 years of experience in education. She holds a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction in reading. She also has additional certifications in literacy, dyslexia, and special education. Christine was a founding member of The Reading League Illinois. Her core focus is on literacy, but she also has experience in staff development, coaching staff, MTSS/RTI, dyslexia, complex learning profiles, autism, speech dyspraxia, memory deficits, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, general learning disabilities, special education, assessment, and advocacy.
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Dr. Rachel Tercek is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Chicago Neurodevelopmental Center (CNC). Dr. Tercek received her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science. Dr. Tercek specializes in conducting individualized assessments of children and adolescents with learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), behavioral challenges, ADHD, ASD, and depression/anxiety.
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Aaron Gross is an experienced educator and administrator with 19 years of experience working in the field and a strong personal connection to supporting students with reading disabilities. Diagnosed with dyslexia in the first grade, he overcame early challenges through the help of a dedicated tutor in high school, which inspired his career in special education. Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Nevada and has worked as a teacher and assistant principal in Chicagoland public schools since 2005. He brings a unique perspective to his work, combining personal experience with professional expertise to advocate for equitable opportunities for all learners.
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Diane Wendt Uher has a professional background is in Higher Education Administration, having worked in the areas of Residence Life, Campus Activities, Orientation Programming, Career Advising, and Academic Advising. She has been an active and engaged community volunteer by serving on her children’s Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization Board for six years and taking part in the local school district’s Dyslexia Awareness Committee. Diane also served on the ISBE State Literacy Plan Draft Writing Team.
Auxiliary Board
The Auxiliary Board of Everyone Reading Illinois plays a vital role in supporting the Board of Directors and advancing Everyone Reading Illinois’ mission. Comprised of passionate members appointed by the Board of Directors, the Auxiliary Board contributes by assisting Board committees in achieving their objectives.
Tara Chapman
"As a former board member of Everyone Reading Illinois and the executive director of The Written Word Center for Dyslexia and Learning, I am passionate about educating and supporting teachers, families, and students affected by dyslexia.”
Dana Harf
“As a former elementary school teacher and mom of three, including a child with dyslexia, I joined the Auxiliary Board because I value Everyone Reading Illinois’ mission and the resources it provides to families.”
Kelly Houston
"I am honored to join the Everyone Reading Illinois Auxiliary Board, using my expertise as a Special Education Advocate and Wilson Dyslexia Therapist to promote structured literacy, empower families, and ensure all children with dyslexia are given the opportunities and support they need to succeed.”
Dr. Vanessa Kovachy
"I joined the Everyone Reading Illinois Auxiliary Board as a school and educational psychologist because I am passionate about ensuring all children receive holistic, neuroaffirming, and equitable support to thrive academically and emotionally."
Kelly McCormick
"Being a speech-language pathologist and a Certified Structured Literacy and Dyslexia Interventionist gives me the opportunity to help learners find success, and I came to Everyone Reading Illinois looking to collaborate with others dedicated to building the bridge of possibilities that literacy can help create."
Dr. Eileen Norton
“As a past president and former member of Everyone Reading Illinois’ Board of Directors, I feel strongly about the need to continue to support Everyone Reading Illinois’ crucial mission to provide education about dyslexia and advocate for effective literacy interventions in Illinois schools.”
Kweku Obed
“Having been a prior Board Member on Everyone Reading Illinois' Board of Directors, I understand the important and often unseen work of Everyone Reading Illinois, and I am proud to continue to be involved with this remarkable literacy organization as an Auxiliary Board member.”
Julie Schuetz
“Sparked by my son's dyslexia diagnosis, joining ERI’s Auxiliary Board reflects my passion for advocating not only for children with learning challenges but also for building community-wide support for educators, administrators, families, and children who are dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for all.”
Hollis Thomann
“As a speech-language pathologist specializing in language, literacy, and executive functioning, I am passionate about helping students improve reading comprehension skills in order to love reading,”
Elizabeth Underwood
“As a learning specialist, I am dedicated to working with children with dyslexia and advocating for appropriate interventions and accommodations.”
Elise Willis
"Having dyslexia and a son with dyslexia motivates me to advocate for others, as well as for early intervention to provide fundamental support and opportunity to very bright and amazing minds who simply learn differently."
Our Other Auxiliary Board Members Include…
Jenine Hanson, and Dr. Jennifer Zvi
Our Junior Board Members Include…
Olivia Reis
Sloane Schildkraut
Michael Tuebo
Charles Wells
Alexa Milosavljevich
Rory Andrlik
Gina Connolly
Evan Klein
Will Lambert
Katherine Maydew
Mattison McCartney
Margaret McGormley
Olivia Miceli
Lila Nonevski