The Nora Project Announces the 2022-2023 Board of Directors

The Nora Project is exceedingly proud to have welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors, all of whom bring unique lived and professional experience to the organization: Benito Barrón (US Military, ret.), Andy Farenden (Creative Rebel CIC), Dick Smith (Illinois Principals Association), and Marney Solomon (JCC Chicago, ret.).

fs

Benito Barrón, a Hispanic man wearing a suit, smiles in front of a white background.

Andy Fareden, a white man with a short beard, wears glasses and a sport coat in a black and white photo.

Dick Smith, an older white man wearing a suit, smiles in front of a grey background.

Marney Solomon, a white woman with short brown hair, smiles and wears glasses and a blush blouse.

Col. Benito “Benny” Barrón retired in 2022 from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel dedicating over 27 years in leading American and international partners. As a combat veteran, he prides himself on solving complex problems through engaged leadership and team building, while applying sound organizational management principles. His assignments afforded him opportunities in the Pacific, European, Middle Eastern and Latin American regions while also serving at The Pentagon on three occasions, including as a Legislative Liaison to the U.S. Senate.

Andy Farenden is a transdisciplinary designer, coach, storyteller, and educator who specializes in working with teams to build community. He is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, especially voices from the LGBTQAI+ youth community. To that end, he is the longtime curator of TEDxBrayfordPool in Lincolnshire, England, showcasing local thought leaders with ideas for impacting global change.

Dr. Dick Smith began his professional career as a special education teacher and went on to work with Chicago Public Schools as a school psychologist, principal, chief network officer, and as the Chief Officer for the Office of Special Education and Supports (O.S.E.S.-currently O.D.L.S.S.). As a school principal, Dr. Smith oversaw the transformation of a small segregated special education school into an exemplary and fully inclusive early childhood center. In 2013, he received the Chicago Public Schools Outstanding Principal Award and the street in front of the school where he was the principal was renamed “Dr. Richard G. Smith Way” in his honor.

Marney Solomon is a recently retired preschool teacher with decades of classroom experience. She worked with The Nora Project in 2019 to conceptualize and pilot the Primer Pack program in her classroom at JCC Am Shalom preschool in Glencoe, Illinois, and she has served as a mentor and sounding board to staff curriculum writers in the years since. 

Founding board members Steve Cirulis, Ben Kobren, and Naomi Shapiro retired from the board at the expiration of their terms in June 2022. Each played a significant leadership role during their tenure with the organization, Naomi as founding Board Chair, Steve as founding Treasurer, and Ben as the chair of the Governance Committee. The Nora Project is deeply grateful for their years of dedicated service and many contributions to the growth and overall health of the organization. 

New board members were installed on July 12, 2022 at The Nora Project’s annual educator training and board meeting at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Officerships were also confirmed.

Peggy Bianco (CLEAR) was installed as Board Chair, succeeding Rick Jacobson (The Jacobson Group) who saw The Nora Project through the challenging early years of the pandemic. Jamel Alikhan (CIBC) succeeded Steve Cirulis as Treasurer, and Michelle Greenberg, LCSW will continue in her role as Secretary.

The full board of directors for the 2022-2023 year is:

  • Peggy Bianco, Board Chair

  • Rick Jacobson, Immediate Past Chair

  • Jamel Alikahn, Treasurer

  • Michelle Greenberg, Secretary

  • Jennifer Arra, Director

  • Benny Barrón, Director

  • Andy Farenden, Director

  • Beth Flores, Director

  • Ellie Forman, Director

  • Michael Glicken, Director

  • Adam Levy, Director

  • Steve Maletzky, Director

  • Alison Porter, Director

  • Larry Sablosky, Director

  • Dick Smith, Director

  • Marney Solomon, Director

Find their complete bios at on our Board of Director page here.

Never miss a post! Subscribe to the Nora Notes blog and get the latest delivered straight to your inbox weekly.


NewsKatie Carr