GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Patricia Kilgore
President
Patricia Kilgore is president of Sterling Kilgore, a business-to-business public relations and marketing strategy firm in Downers Grove, IL. Patricia has been involved with the Guild since 2003, helping support its communication initiatives, working on various committees, and serving on the executive committee for the past three years. Patricia lives in Arlington Heights with her husband, Mark, and has four children.
“My commitment to the Guild stems from having two legally blind siblings and a blind sister-in-law. I have seen firsthand how organizations like the Guild have helped my loved ones live independent, productive lives. We have such a need for individualized programs like those offered by the Guild. I am always impressed with the dedication of the Guild’s staff to take into consideration the whole person and provide education and support that is truly customized for each individual. Being on the Guild’s board is a very gratifying experience.”
Suzanne Miller, Ph.D.
Vice President
Suzanne Miller, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist with a private practice on Chicago’s North Shore. She and her husband, Lee, have two children and live in Deerfield. Suzanne has been involved with the Guild since 2005, initially supporting Passionate Focus and then becoming a member of the board, serving on the development as well as executive committees.
“I have truly enjoyed being a part of The Guild for the Blind. Having a family member who is struggling with low vision and having been a teacher of children with visual impairments in the past, I realize the importance of an organization such as the Guild that provides services in a personal and caring way to those coping with vision loss. The individualized programs and dedicated staff at the Guild provide people with not only rehabilitation and career services, but hope and a new way of life for those adapting to vision loss.”
John Budzynski, CPA
Treasurer
John Budzynski is the Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Illinois College of Optometry and its Illinois Eye Institute. He has 30 years of hands-on management, planning and leadership experience in privately held and not for profit organizations.
Sandra Lorenz
Secretary
Sandra Lorenz is a 20-year veteran of Fifth Third Bank in Chicago. As senior vice president and market manager, she manages de novo growth and expansion in five regions throughout Chicago and Northern Indiana—including more than 70 financial centers. The Business Ledger named Sandra a 2008 Top Influential Woman in Business.
Ms. Lorenz is a 31-year resident of Aurora, IL and is heavily involved with the St. Rita of Cascia Church.
Denise M. Brown
Board Member
Denise Brown operates Tad Publishing Co., based in Park Ridge, IL. Through her organization, Denise helps persons who care for an aging relative. Denise gives presentations and seminars about the caregiving experience; created and maintains the Caregiving.com web site; and coaches family caregivers and professionals interested in working with family caregivers. She's the author of two books: "The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey" and "Take Comfort: Reflections of Hope for Caregivers."
"My work with the Guild is a natural extension of my work with family caregivers; the Guild provides important support and services for individuals with low vision as well as for their family members. I'm regularly impressed with the Guild's staff, all of whom have an amazing ability to impact clients and family members in very powerful ways. I'm thrilled to be a board member."
Sandi Hartstein
Board Member
Sandi Hartstein is employed by CCC Information Services located in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Sandi has been interested in the Guild since 2005 after attending the Passionate Focus event. Sandi was previously involved with a few other non-profit organizations and decided to put her all of her energies into focusing on the work that the Guild does. She has been a member of the Board since January 2008. Sandi lives in the city with her husband, Barry, and Lhasa Poo, Parker. She also has 4 married children, 3 grandchildren and 2 granddogs.
Miriam Kashian
Board Member
Miriam Kashian is co-owner of Kashian and Associates, a wholesale tree company. She has a lifelong affiliation with the Guild. Her father, Bill Lynch, founded the organization and Miriam worked at the Guild in a variety of capacities beginning at the age of 12.
Ms. Kashian lives with her husband live in Northfield, where they have raised two daughters. She has served on the local school board, taught Sunday school, acted as a substitute teacher and taught English as a Second Language.
Arthur Krause
Arthur Krause is a legally blind former businessman who first took advantage of the Guild's services as a client. He is a volunteer with SCORE, a national volunteer organization comprised of retired business executives who serve as the counseling arm of the Small Business Administration.
"I felt that my past experiences in the world of commerce would be a good fit for advancing and promoting the services of the Guild."
Tina M. Kuska
Board Member
Leonard V. Messner, OD, FAAO
Board Member
Leonard V. Messner, OD, FAAO, is the Vice President for Patient Care Services of the Illinois College of Optometry and serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Eye Institute and the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation. With over 90,000 annual patient encounters, the Illinois Eye Institute is the largest provider of eye care in the Chicago metropolitan region and is affiliated with the University of Chicago Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Advocate Health Systems.
Dr. Messner holds the rank of Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry, and has clinical privileges in the areas of retina-vitreous and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and currently serves as the chair of the Diplomate Section for Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders of the American Academy of Optometry.
He is the author and co-author of numerous professional articles and textbook chapters on retina-vitreous and neuro-ophthalmic disorders, and a frequent guest lecturer in the United States and abroad.
Harold Sy, MD
Board Member
Dennis Wieczorek
Board Member
Dennis Wieczorek is Partner/Co-Chair of the Franchise and Distribution Practice Group at DLA Piper. He has concentrated in U.S. and international franchising, licensing, antitrust and distribution law matters for over 25 years.
"I have family and friends that have been affected by vision loss and I have seen the impact it has had on their lives. I joined the board of the Guild as a way to give some of my time and energy to its important work."
Programs & Services - For Those With New Vision Loss - Low Vision Devices & Tools for Daily Living - Guild Briefs - Scholarships - Passionate Focus Art Exhibit - Program Partners - Donor Opportunities - Calendar of Events