About Us
OptWell, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2025 to inspire the health and wellness of people who live, work, and play in Chicago’s western suburbs. Our programs promote evidence-based healthy habits: Eat Well, Get Moving, Mental Wellness, Quality Sleep, and Manage Health.
OptWell’s vision is that through education, connection to resources, and social support, we will form a community where prevention and healthy habits enable everyone to improve their quality of life.
Board of Directors
Beth Augustine
Founder & Executive Producer
Sawgustine Ideas
La Grange Village Trustee
Joe Bohne
Founder and Managing Partner
Sage Advisors Group LLC
Julie Boruff, CPA
Treasurer
Thierry Dubois, MD
Regional Medical Director
Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care
Diedre Dunn
Secretary
Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Mindr Co.
Gioia Giannotti
Co-Founder and VP of Operations
(r)evolution architecture, llc.
Dr. Laura Laskonis (Severin), DO, FAAP
Physician and Owner
All Star Pediatrics
Kris Lonsway, PhD
President
Leadership Coach
The Lonsway Group
Jill McCormick
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
Mayra Ortiz
Field Operations Superintendent
Nicor Gas
Summit Village Trustee
Brian Waterman, EdD
Superintendent
Lyons Township High School D204
Glenn Zemel, MD, MS
Founder and Medical Liaison, Embrace Prevention Care
Advisory Council
Michelle Anderson
Inspiring Slow Living & Cozy, Mindful, Well-Being
Jennifer Conroyd
Fluid Running
Grace Diaz, ND, NP, RN
Promotora (Community Health Worker)
Team Lead
Jackie Errico
Co-Owner
Just Lift Fitness
Ngozi Ezike, MD
President and CEO
Sinai Chicago
Adam Forker
Executive Director
DuPage County Health Department
Michelle Halm, LPC, FT
CEO/Founder and Lead Facilitator
Grief Connection Space
Brian Ganan, EdD
Superintendent
La Grange D105
Izzy Gandarilla
E-RYT 500
Founder & Owner of Neuro-Yoga Institute
Olga Garcia-Bedoya, MD
Medical Director
UIC
Karen Hayes
OptWell Volunteer Coordinator
Coordinator, Score & Western Springs Tennis Leagues
Linnea Lones
Co-Owner
Just Lift Fitness
Larissa Magajne
Real Estate Agent
@properties Christie’s International Real Estate
Jim Maley
Teacher
Speaker & Mental Health Advocate
Host, The Maley Way Podcast
Lorena Manriquez
Regulatory Coordinator
Loyola University Chicago
Summit Village Trustee
Halle McCormick
Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer
The Local Gym/ LaGrange Fitness/Enhance Fitness
David Negron, EdD
Superintendent
Summit D104
Karen Skerrett, PhD
Director
Consultants in Psychology
Liz Sorrentino
Event Producer
Robin Speizman, MSEd
Founder, rEFocus, Executive Function Coaching and Consultation
Director of Clinical Outreach, OCD & Anxiety Center
OptWell Team
Hanna Kahn
Natalie Beglen
Program Manager
Grace Diaz, ND, NP, RN
Community Health Worker Team Lead
Karen Hayes
Kait Van Cleave
OptWell Ambassadors
Bill Carney
Nancy Cummings
Bill Dwyer
Janelle Goins, PharmD
Elva Gonzalez
Jihad Shoshara, MD
