2025.07.01 Membership Agreement.pdf
Our Board
Phyllis Rubin, President
Phyllis fell in love with AWN when she started attending MeetUps, then joined Mix of Minds and, because of the warmth and camaraderie of each group she tried, she was sold and agreed to go on the Board!
Don Burk, Treasurer
Don is the AWN Treasurer. He, and his wife Margaret, have been involved in AWN from its beginning. Don enjoys the social events, the new friends he has made, and the advocacy work related to housing and the environment.
Phyllis Rubin, President
Phyllis fell in love with AWN when she started attending MeetUps, then joined Mix of Minds and, because of the warmth and camaraderie of each group she tried, she was sold and agreed to go on the Board!
Cecily Mango, Secretary
Cecily Mango joined AWN in 2022 and the Board in 2023 as a Member-at-Large. She is also co-Chair of the Membership Working Group. Cecily spent 30 years working in international development and, as a Foreign Service Officer, served overseas with the U.S. Agency for International Development. She is active in several other Oak Park organizations.
Rich White, Treasurer
Rich was a founding member of AWN and served as Treasurer and Bookkeeper for 6 years. After a break, he’s returned to the board and once again has taken on those roles. Rich also has a strong technology background and has been instrumental in developing and maintaining much of AWN’s technology. He has lived in Forest Park for the last 20 years with his wife Susan.
Catherine Gallogly, Member at Large
A relatively new member to AWN. I said yes to a Member-at-Large position on the board and I am also in the Program Working Group.
My career was in health care with an emphasis on end of life. I volunteer for the Chicago Saints, The Economy Shop, and have an active interest in politics, hiking and being out doors. I am a member of St. Giles Family Mass and the proud grandmother of five grandchildren.
Karin Grimes, Member at Large
Karin joined AWN in 2018 and the Board in the summer of 2025. She previously served as an AWN Ambassador and later as a co-chair of the Membership Working Group. She has enjoyed getting to know new people through participating in AWN committees, programs and activity groups. During Karin’s career she worked as an inpatient psychiatric social worker, as a school social worker and in private practice.
Gil Herman, Member at Large
Gil has been involved with AWN since 2018 and joined the board in 2025. He serves as co-chair of the Program Working Group and as our web master. For over 35 years he has worked as an independent business consultant and executive coach. He has also been a mentor with the OPRFHS Incubator program.
Catherine Marienau, Member at Large
Catherine joined AWN in 2019, co-chairs the Program Working Group and joined the Board in summer 2025. She is active with the Oak Park action team of the End-of-Life Options Coalition, affiliated with Compassion & Choices. Co-founder of Women Over 70–Aging Reimagined, Catherine co-hosts its weekly podcast, featuring inspiring conversations with women ages 70 to 110.
Maureen Rafa, Member at Large
Maureen Rafa is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse and independent Elder Care Coordinator, helping people age in place or transition to senior housing. She serves on the board of a southwest suburb senior organization and often participates in panels or presents on topics related to aging. She is a newer member of AWN and is part of the Program Working Group and participates in the movie, theater and social circle groups.
Kim Silver, Member at Large
Kim joined Arbor West in 2023 and has expanded her role in the past year, becoming a co-lead of the AWN ambassadors, coordinator of the Mix of Minds interest group, and a member of the Green Team. Kim also volunteers at the Oak Park Conservatory. Kim had a long career in legal publishing, both in Chicago and in the Washington D.C area. Upon retiring, she made the decision to move back to this area to be closer to family and old friends.
Sun-Hee Yoon, Member at Large
Sun-Hee Yoon is the founder and CEO of Sage Lifestyle Concierge, which helps seniors age gracefully in their own homes. She is also a board member of the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition and Advocacy Task Force.
Arbor West Neighbors
Arbor West Neighbors (AWN) is a grassroots organization of neighbors in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Austin connected to support and enrich aging through community building and advocacy. Our mission is to empower adults to thrive as we age in community.
Our vision is to build a multi-ethnic, multicultural community where all older adults are valued, age with dignity, and enjoy opportunities for growth and engagement.
We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization with over 120 members.