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Our Board

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization with over 120 members. 

About Us

At times our members and friends have questions about who to talk to/get permission/assistance for a variety of things. Below are some guidelines. Note: AWN Members can look up contact information in our directory. Others may use the suggested processes at the bottom of this document.

There are many opportunities for you to engage as a volunteer to help support our organization and fellow members. Our website lists a variety of volunteer possibilities: www.arborwestneighbors.org/volunteer-possibilities

 

For questions about membership: Cecily Mango

For questions about ambassadors and member orientation: Kim Silver

For questions about our Membership Management System, Club Express: Cecily Mango or Susan Levin

For questions about Arbor Circles: Cindy Michul

For calendar additions or corrections: Gil Herman

For questions/suggestions about our newsletter, Branching Out: Allen Matthews

For website additions or corrections: Gil Herman

For questions about interest groups: Gil Herman or the coordinator of a specific group

For questions/suggestions about Programs: Catherine Marienau

For questions/suggestions about advocacy:

         Social Action Team: Ruth Reko

         Green Team: Phyllis Rubin or Kim Silver

         Legislative Action Team: Phyllis Rubin

         Other: Phyllis Rubin

For questions/suggestion about Community Outreach Working Group: coming soon

For questions/suggestions about what to send to Google group email: Gil Herman or Legislative Action Team (Phyllis Rubin)

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NOTE: From time to time, we hear about information that we believe would be of interest to our members and friends. When appropriate, we will send out a Public Service Announcement (PSA). We may also send a Call to Action email making a recommendation for action should you wish to do something. We will work to keep these minimally intrusive. If you have a question or comment, please contact the person or organization indicated. 

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