Board Members

Being a non-profit board member requires a strong commitment to the organization’s mission, as well as a willingness to actively contribute time, expertise, and resources. Board members are responsible for governance, strategic planning, financial oversight, and ensuring legal and ethical integrity. They should bring a collaborative mindset, attend meetings regularly, help with fundraising or outreach, and act as ambassadors for the organization. While not a paid role, it’s a position of trust and influence that demands dedication and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.

Deb Guy, MS.Ed, Executive Director, after a dynamic career in Education holding both a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and Curriculum and Supervision, Deb came to Women’s Exchange knowing her best work has been accomplished by listening and remembering people’s questions and ideas to then create connection for lasting impact. Deb has been involved at WE since 1998 as a past board member, facilitator, and on-going class participant. She began as Executive Director May 2011.

Board Of Directors 2026-2027

LISA RUSS

President

Lisa moved back to the Chicago area 20+ years ago and instantly fell in love with her native city. Her work with a national business services firm for 20 years taught her most of what she knows about communications and teamwork. She connected with Women’s Exchange in 2021 and was impressed with the emphasis on personal connections and life-long learning. Lisa is also involved with the Rotary Club of Chicago, an historic Chicago cemetery preservation fund, and two singing ensembles. She substitute teaches for District 65 in Evanston, where she lives with her husband, Ken, and bonus daughter, Barbara.

SUSAN MEYERS

Treasurer
Susan is the co-leader of The Meyers Group Real Estate at Compass and has 19 years of experience as a real estate broker. She has been attending programs at The Women’s Exchange since moving to Winnetka in 1989 and currently lives in Glencoe. Susan has been involved in various organizations, including The Winnetka Community Nursery School Board, the Northwestern Settlement House Board, The Winnetka Garden Guild, and The Volunteer Center. She is married and has three daughters and three granddaughters. Susan is enthusiastic about the wide range of learning opportunities offered by WE.

PAT O’DONNELL

Board Secretary

Her connection to Women’s Exchange goes back to the beginning, when she first heard WE’s founder, Joanne Augspurger, describe her vision for connecting women through conversation and educational programs. Since then, Pat has participated in many WE programs, including the walking group. Pat was born and raised in Canada and has lived in Winnetka for many years. She is an English major who has worked in marketing communications and has volunteered for a variety of community groups.

LELE BARKHAUSEN

Born and raised in the Chicago area Lele appreciates the range of programming Women’s Exchange offers to the community. She taught ESL to students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Oak Park for over twenty years. Now retired, she volunteers with several non profit organizations. She’s a member of the twice weekly WE walking group and attends other WE programs whenever she can.

DAWN TURCO

Dawn is a former Senior Vice President-Educational Operations at Hadley School for the Blind, retired in 2017. Dawn’s entire professional career was as both teacher and administrator in special education. She immediately became involved in a variety of WE activities and is a dedicated participant in the WE walking group, which she characterizes as “intrepid“ since they are out on the walking trail year-round. After 24 years living in Winnetka, Dawn recently relocated to Wilmette.

Ann Bates. Ed.D. 

Ann Bates is an educator and literacy consultant with over 50 years of experience in education. She has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and professor of Reading and Language at National Louis University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Reading Power, an organization that provides tutoring to students in underserved communities in Cook and Lake Counties. Ann became involved with the Women’s Exchange after participating in the mini memoir classes. This experience fulfilled a long-held goal to write outside the realm of academia. Ann facilitates a writing group at the Woman’s Athletic Club of Chicago, where she chaired the holiday boutique for several years. A resident of Glencoe, Ann is active in the community, including as past PTA president, and as part of the recent Glencoe Public Library Advisory Council for Renovation. She is an avid reader and enjoys all kinds of conversation–specially about literature.

Past Presidents

Ashley Swidnicki
Jennifer Herrington
Stephanie Nanney 
Lauren Szwiec
Catherine Borowski
Whitney Liptay
Anne Wieboldt
Kate Coughlin

Susan Gaud
Candace Tesler
Holly Marihugh
Jane Perisho
Linda Smith
Judy Archambault
Anne Horn

Joan Ritsch
Cathy Kennedy Freechak
Helen Lauck
Mary Shepherd
Sally Sprowl
Judy Archambault
Mary Satherlie


Jan Smith
Holly Hudnut Halliday
Marge Meyers Graham
Paulette Brown
Mary McLaughlin