NEF Welcomes Five Trustees and Elects Board Officers

Travis George is the Chief Financial Officer of Molex, LLC. He serves on the board of the Japan American Society and is a committee member of the Boys & Girls Club of America. George holds a Bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Louisville. A Naperville 203 parent, George says, “Naperville has an amazing educational staff and I very much appreciate their efforts as well as everything the district does to support the children. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this outstanding school district as an ambassador of NEF and District 203.”

Diana Torres Hawken is a community volunteer. She serves on the City of Naperville Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission and is Membership Co-Chair of the American Association of University Women (Naperville Chapter). She is also a board member of Nuestro Futuro/”Our Future” and incoming Home & School co-Vice President at Maplebrook Elementary. Previously she was on the Parent Board of Directors at Hobson Cooperative Preschool and Board Chairman and Member of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. Torres Hawken holds a Master’s in Sociology from the University of South Florida and a BA in English and Sociology from Kenyon College. “The work being doing by NEF is providing additional opportunities for access, growth and exposure for the entire community,” Torres Hawken said.

Kristin Porter is a dedicated community volunteer, actively involved as a committee chair at Mill Street Elementary Home and School, the National Charity League, and the Cress Creek Country Club swim team, and a member of the Naperville North Advisory Council. Porter has over 20 years of experience as a marketer with a global consulting firm, and her education includes a Master’s degree in Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) to be completed in August 2021, a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and a certificate in child and adolescent psychology from TCSPP. “I enjoy being involved, making a difference, and contributing to my community, particularly in the areas of education, child development, and equitable opportunities for children,” Porter said. “I look forward to being an active part of the NEF mission.”

Dr. Kelly Ryan is Director of Social Services and Doctoral Training at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health. She is a member of the Linden Oaks Taskforces on Trauma and Autism, as well as the Linden Oaks Healing Team and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. “I enjoy working with a team and seeing the positive results of our efforts,” Ryan said. “I look forward to helping children as part of an interactive team and offering expertise on all aspects of psychological and emotional well-being as it relates to children in our community.” She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling, a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and certificates in Critical Incident Stress Management and DBT.

Steve Schnack is a previous Naperville 203 employee and community volunteer, acting as president of the Home & School organization at Lincoln Junior High for the past three years and Kingsley Elementary the previous year. A lawyer, Schnack holds a BA in Mathematics and Political Science from Northwestern University, a JD from University of Iowa College of Law, and an ISBE Substitute Teaching License. “My passion for supporting education and families aligns with NEF’s vision,” Schnack said. “I can apply that passion and my skills and experience as an attorney and educator to NEF’s mission.”