Above / Located at 301 N. Washington Street since 2001, the DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) with the big red door has announced six new board members as newly-appointed President/CEO Andrea Ingram takes the helm.
DuPage Children’s Museum, the nonprofit organization that embraces the power of play as a basis for constructing knowledge, advocates for all children to reach their full learning potential through hands-on play and unique interactive exhibit experiences. The Museum’s strong and committed Board of Directors under the leadership of Board Chair Mark Trembacki provides guidance and strategy to advance the DCM social mission.
The strength and engagement of the board inspired newly-appointed DuPage Children’s Museum President & CEO, Andrea Ingram, to take the helm of the cultural institution serving over 335,000 guests annually.
“During my conversations with the board,” stated Ingram, “it was clear that they are passionate and committed to the success of the Museum reaching its vision by deepening and extending its impact on the children and families DCM serves.”
Building support for the work of the Museum requires passionate leaders with significant experience and accomplishments in business and philanthropy.
“We are delighted to welcome this diverse and highly regarded group of business and community leaders to our board and the DCM family,” noted DCM board member and governance committee chair, Chris Abbinante. “Because of their commitment to the organization, wealth of experience, and array of talents, they will contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and success of DCM and our mission of being a leader in early childhood education and the communities we serve.”
Six new members elected to DCM Board of Directors
Kenneth S. Witkowski, Senior Vice President, Calamos Real Estate LLC
Ken Witkowski is a 1989 graduate of Marmion Military Academy. He held several roles in law enforcement, public safety, and emergency management. Since retiring from the police force as a commander, Witkowski earned licensure in real estate and leads the real estate division at Calamos. He is actively involved with Boy Scouts of America and his alma mater, Marmion Academy.
Ken Witkowski and his wife, Regina, have three adult children, and they are patrons of the arts— supporting Tiny Great Performances™ at DCM.
Saul Boscan, Regional Head of Communications, PNC Financial Services
Saul Boscan oversees media relations, social media, crisis management, and executive communications at PNC. He earned his BA in Media Studies at UPENN and holds an MBA from The University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Saul is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Italian.
Boscan is a proud supporter of DCM, boasting that his five kids grew up at the Museum! Saul Boscan and his wife, Dora, live in Wheaton.
Larry Larsen, Managing Director, Lincoln Churchill Advisors
Larry Larsen has 25 years of corporate, financial, and crisis communications experience counseling directly with and for chief corporate officers and board directors to craft and implement strategic communications plans for their organizations.
Larsen is a proud husband to Tara and father to four children who have grown up experimenting with hands-on play at the Museum. Larry Larsen also volunteers for his children’s schools and lends his PR expertise to the marketing committee of Naperville Education Foundation (NEF).
Joe Chura, CEO / Founder of Launch Digital Marketing and Dealer Inspire
With more than 20 years of career automotive experience, Joe Chura combined his entrepreneurial mindset with his passion for coding to create a full-service digital agency, providing technical solutions to auto dealers to help them market successfully online. In 2018, Launch Digital Marketing and Dealer Inspire were acquired by Cars.com in one of the three largest tech acquisitions in Chicagoland that year.
Chura has become an advocate for innovation in the automotive space; he is also a tireless advocate for children and families, serving on the boards of Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, One for the Kids, and Loaves & Fishes Community Services. Chura has three children, and resides in Naperville with his very understanding wife, Heather.
Jihad Shoshara, M.D. and Sofia Shakir, M.D.
DCM is also proud to welcome pediatric powerhouse couple, Jihad Shoshara, M.D. and Sofia Shakir, M.D., President and Managing Partner at Pediatric Health Associates, Ltd.
The pediatricians both serve on committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics and are actively engaged in civic leadership roles in the Muslim faith and cultural communities.
Dr. Shakir is the Chair of Pediatrics at Central DuPage Hospital and Dr. Shoshara volunteers for the Syrian American Medical Society.
Their medical practice is committed to access for underserved communities and advocating for the important intersection between play and child development.
They live in LaGrange and are proud parents to three children who grew up playing at DCM.
DuPage Children’s Museum in 2019
This past year, DuPage Children’s Museum has touched the lives of over 335,000 visitors in the Museum. And beyond our walls in the community, DCM has reached over 30,000 students and 2,900 educators through School Programs. Through DCM’s Community Access Network, the Museum partnered with social service agencies throughout the Chicagoland region to ensure access for all families who would otherwise not be able to benefit from such unique learning experiences. Thanks to collaboration with partners and support from donors, more than 2,000 families became DCM members through the Museum’s Family Access Membership Program.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, DuPage Children’s Museum relies on the generosity of the community to extend the wonders of learning through play to all children. Contributions will help welcome more visitors, create new exhibits, continue education and outreach, and provide children unique and authentic, hands-on learning experiences. Financial gifts are appreciated as they keep the play growing at the DuPage Children’s Museum.
Story and headshots submitted by Jaime Johnson, Sr. Marketing Manager, DuPage Children’s Museum.
