Meghan Kennedy - Meghan Kennedy, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma and transcultural treatment issues. Last June, after 10 years as a clinician and teacher at the University of Chicago Hospital's Department of Psychiatry, she moved into full-time private practice psychotherapy and consultation. In addition to trauma, she treats general mental health and "life in a 24/7 society" issues. Since 1990, she has been involved with the education, training and treatment of survivors of trauma - from war victims, torture/political asylees to inner city violence, sexual assault and incest. In early 1993, Meghan co-founded and directed a non-profit organization, SESTRA International, which responded to the use of systematic sexualized torture as a tool of genocide in the war in the former Yugoslavia. The organization began with providing clinical trainings for women's groups that had gone underground to protect and treat the victims of sexualized torture, and evolved into addressing multiple psychosocial issues and assisting the empowerment of local groups in becoming their own NGOs. SESTRA also provided stateside trainings in Chicago for local refugee resettlement organizations dealing with the influx of war-traumatized Bosnians. In addition to transcultural understanding, Meghan's recent work interests include developing adjunct alternative treatment modalities that incorporate yoga, bodywork, re-attunement to the senses and spirituality. Meghan is a 2001 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award granted by the University of Chicago Hospitals. She is a volunteer clinician at Chicago's Kovler Center for the Survivors of Torture, loves to travel, attend cultural events, be physical on Chicago's lakefront, and sing! Meghan resides in downtown Chicago. Margaret Blackshere - Margaret Blackshere, of Niles, Illinois, is a former classroom teacher who served at all levels of the labor movement from president of her local union in Madison to statewide vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She served as secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO from 1993 to 2000, when she was elected president. She was the first woman to be elected president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. Blackshere was elected to a second term and retired from that position in February of 2007 and was given president emeritus status. Blackshere earned a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in urban education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She serves on a variety of boards, councils and coalitions including Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Unemployment Insurance Advisory Board, the Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Board, the Industrial Commission's Self Insurer's Advisory Board, the Chicago Metropolis 2020 Board, the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees of the Global Solidarity Center in Washington, D.C. She has received awards such as the Labor Leader Award in 2000 from the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Israel Peace Medal in 2000 from the State of Israel, and the Protector of Working People Award in 2002 from the Illinois State Crime Commission. She was the Guest of Honor in 2003 for Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade and in 1998 she was inducted into the Illinois Labor History Society's Union Hall of Honor. Margaret was a founding member of the Chicago chapter of the Irish American Labor Coalition. She has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, served as director of the Illinois Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 1990 and 1992, and is a member of the Democratic National Committee. She was the co-chair of Illinois Governor Blagojevich's transition team. Margaret is a member of American Federation of Teachers Local 763. Jeff Schoenberg - Jeff Schoenberg is an Illinois State Senator for the 9th district. As a state senator, Schoenberg has sponsored and supported many diverse bills; he is particularly concerned with inefficient government spending and the state's procurement code. Schoenberg serves as the Chairman on both the Appropriations II Committee, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations I Committee, and a member of the Appropriations III, Health and Human Services, and Financial Institutions Committees. Jeff lives in Evanston, Illinois with his wife and two children. Chris Scheerder - Chris Scheerder is an avid cyclist, kick boxer, film enthusiast, world traveler and amateur photographer. Presently she is the sponsorship director for the United Nations Association Film Festival at Stanford University. She is also involved with Child Advocacy Group in San Jose, California. Previously, Chris served on the film jury selection committee of the United Nations Association Film Festival at Stanford University in 2006 and 2005. She produced and directed a documentary film titled, "Lomami - An Artist's Way", which was shown in conjunction with the artist, Jaap Bonger's, exhibition at the San Jose Contemporary Museum in 2004. Chris is the mother of 2 college-aged children and currently resides in Los Gatos, California. Nancy Stevenson - As a child advocate, Nancy Stevenson has served as a member of a number of organizations committed to improving the lives of all people, especially children, in Illinois. From 1991 to 1998, Nancy served as the CEO of Voices for Illinois Children. Nancy was also a member of the Illinois Humanities Council from 1980 to 1990 and the Federation of State Humanities Council from 1985 to 1990. Additionally, Nancy is a Life Trustee of the University of Chicago. Recently, Random House, Inc. purchased Nancy's children's book, titled Capitol Code. Nancy is married to former United States Senator Adlai Stevenson and has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Michele Studl - Michele O'Reilly Studl is a practicing clinical psychologist with offices in Winnetka and Chicago. She is a member of the medical staff of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. She is a Director and past Chairman of the Winnetka Youth Organization and is a Member of the American Psychological Association. Michele is the mother of two children and resides in Chicago. Susan Axelrod - Susan Axelrod is the founder and former president of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), a non-profit organization founded by mothers of children with severe epilepsy. Since its inception in 1998, CURE has raised over $5 million to fund research into finding cures, has awarded over 50 research grants, and works to raise public awareness of the prevalence and devastation of epilepsy. Susan joined the board of Build Cambodia after returning from our inagural trip. Susan resides in Chicago, Illinois. Lori Jackson - Lori Jackson began her professional career in the business world, first serving as an accountant then in various roles in the garment industry including product development manager at L.L. Bean. Mid-career, Lori decided to return to school and pursue a career in medicine. She received her M.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and is now a second-year family practice resident. Lori joined the board of Build Cambodia after returning from our inagural trip. Lori resides in Decatur, Illinois.
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