Board of Directors

 

Meet the Board of Directors of NNA . . . and if you see any of them in the neighborhood, be sure to say hello!

 

Christine Barrett  Conservative estimates have Christine and her dog, Henry, logging about 6875 miles around Northcenter since moving here in 2003.  Christine has worked in the advertising industry in Chicago, and on the East and West Coasts as a recruiter and change agent.  During those 15 years of moving around the country, she dreamed of settling down on a tree lined street, in a neighborhood full of interesting, involved and welcoming neighbors.  And the dream came true.  She is looking forward to sharing the stories of the various independent retailers and restaurants in the neighborhood with community residents.

Monica Drane moved to the Northcenter neighborhood in 2005 with her husband and their three children in order to reside within the attendance boundaries of Bell School. A former Chicago public school teacher, Monica has served on the Local School Council at Bell and is an active volunteer at the school. Monica and her family members appreciate the friendliness of their neighbors and enjoy the convenience and amenities of the Northcenter neighborhood.

Julie Hobert has lived in Northcenter for 18 years. She is a mother of four great kids who attend Bell School, Whitney Young, and The Hyde Park Day School. She is active in the Northcenter Neighborhood Garden Club, a founder of the Northcenter Parent Support Group, and is actively involved with Epiphany Church's outreach to Common Pantry clients. She draws and paints in her spare time.

 

Don Horvath (Treasurer) has lived in Northcenter with his wife, Juli Crabtree, since 1990. He practices real estate and construction law and he previously was a board member of the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing. He joined the Board of the Northcenter Neighborhood Association because he believes that NNA will help to strengthen our community and provide an avenue for all of the residents to participate in the future growth of Northcenter.

 

Carol Jones (President) has lived in Northcenter for the past six years with her family. Carol practiced law for several years, and is now active in several community and school organizations. Carol hopes that NNA will connect neighbors, facilitate a dialogue about the direction of our neighborhood, and ensure that NNA’s independent and progressive voices help shape the future of our community.

 

Doreen Lubeck has been a proud resident of Northcenter for almost 20 years. She lives in Northcenter with her husband and thirteen-year-old daughter, who attends Bell School. Doreen enjoys being part of this vibrant community and is committed to further enhancing the bonds between neighbors. She is the owner of D.J. Lubeck, LLC, a corporate communications and investor relations consulting firm, also located in Northcenter.

 

Karen Carter Lynch (Secretary) and her husband, Brad Lynch, moved to Northcenter 20 years ago when just newlyweds. They now live in a sunlit house with kids Annie and Blake and their hound dog, Buddy. Karen and fun-loving neighbors helped start the Northcenter Neighborhood Garden Club, which sponsors the Annual Garden Walk for the Common Pantry. She often “gets lost” in the neighborhood making new friends. In the real world, Karen is an award-winning filmmaker and video producer.

 

Mercedes Prause is honored to serve on the NNA Board. For more than 30 years, she has been an active member of our Northcenter community, investing her time to provide a better quality of life for those who live here. She and her husband Joe have two grown children, and she considers her neighbors part of her extended family.

 

Marnie Schwartz (Vice President) relishes her family life in Northcenter. She wants to make sure that our neighborhood remains the best in the city for all who choose to live here. She is actively involved in her sons’ schools and neighborhood church. Northcenter has been home to her and her husband since 1997. Their sons attend two local CPS elementary schools. Marnie also owns a small management consulting firm, thredpartners.