Board of Directors
Maureen Meyer, President
Maureen Meyer was Director of Loyalty and Process Transformation at Baxter Credit Union. She is now retired as of April 2014. She has held various positions at The Northern Trust Company and Baxter Healthcare. She has a bachelors degree in Finance from DePaul University. Her interest in refugee resettlement began when she heard an interview on NPR with Ayaan Hirsi Ali and her moving story of survival. Maureen became involved with RefugeeOne in 2006 by volunteering and assisting her church resettle a family from Bhutan.
She resides in Lincolnshire, Illinois with her husband and three children.
She resides in Lincolnshire, Illinois with her husband and three children.
Jim Bennett, Vice President
Jim Bennett is the Chief Development Officer for Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV. He is responsible for expanding Lambda Legal’s organizational reach in ten states with a focus on strategic planning, financial development, and educational and media efforts.
Jim has over 20 years of not-for-profit leadership experience. In 2005, he led the Katrina Relief Project, an initiative with Heartland Alliance, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, the City of Chicago and other key service agencies, to create and implement a comprehensive resettlement plan for 2,685 families that relocated to Chicago from New Orleans.
Prior to 2005, Jim served as the Marketing and Development Director for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law where he led and managed the organization’s brand identity project and comprehensive giving program. From 1989 to 1999, he led development, marketing and programmatic (disaster, health) departments and initiatives through leadership positions at the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter and the American Red Cross national headquarters.
A long-time member of Broadway United Methodist Church, Jim has advocated locally and nationwide for full inclusion of the LGBT community in the Methodist denomination.
Jim holds an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois and a B.S. from Illinois State University. He also graduated from the Second City Conservatory and is in a civil union with Dr. Terry Vanden Hoek.
Jim has over 20 years of not-for-profit leadership experience. In 2005, he led the Katrina Relief Project, an initiative with Heartland Alliance, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, the City of Chicago and other key service agencies, to create and implement a comprehensive resettlement plan for 2,685 families that relocated to Chicago from New Orleans.
Prior to 2005, Jim served as the Marketing and Development Director for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law where he led and managed the organization’s brand identity project and comprehensive giving program. From 1989 to 1999, he led development, marketing and programmatic (disaster, health) departments and initiatives through leadership positions at the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter and the American Red Cross national headquarters.
A long-time member of Broadway United Methodist Church, Jim has advocated locally and nationwide for full inclusion of the LGBT community in the Methodist denomination.
Jim holds an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois and a B.S. from Illinois State University. He also graduated from the Second City Conservatory and is in a civil union with Dr. Terry Vanden Hoek.
Debbie Kobak-Nielsen, Treasurer
Debbie Kobak-Nielsen is vice president of commercial and institutional banking at MB Financial Bank. Debbie's 10 years in banking has focused on the needs of nonprofit organizations and particularly the alignment of financial and social return.
Her interest and engagement with human rights and international development spans more than twenty years. Before she became a banker, she worked in the non-profit sector for a number of non-profit policy research organizations in Washington, D.C. and Chicago including the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, World Resources Institute, Global Chicago, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Debbie earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree in International Development from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Debbie joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in January 2014. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
Her interest and engagement with human rights and international development spans more than twenty years. Before she became a banker, she worked in the non-profit sector for a number of non-profit policy research organizations in Washington, D.C. and Chicago including the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, World Resources Institute, Global Chicago, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Debbie earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree in International Development from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Debbie joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in January 2014. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
Anne Rooney, Secretary
Anne Rooney currently serves as President of Anne Rooney and Associates, Inc., a consulting and technical assistance organization focused on health system strengthening and healthcare quality and safety improvement, with a particular interest in developing and middle-income countries.
Anne has extensive experience in non-profit organizational management and strategy as well as global public health. Prior to her current role, for more than 25 years she held a variety of positions within The Joint Commission organization, the world’s oldest and largest healthcare accrediting body. Most recently, she served as Vice President - Global Consulting for Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission International. In this position, Anne oversaw the management of more than 100 health professional consultants and the delivery of consulting, education, and technical assistance services for more than 1,500 U.S. and international healthcare consulting clients, including individual healthcare organizations, government agencies, Ministries of Health, and industry partners. She has worked intensively in South Africa, Zambia, Turkey, India, China, Malaysia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries.
Anne has extensive experience in non-profit organizational management and strategy as well as global public health. Prior to her current role, for more than 25 years she held a variety of positions within The Joint Commission organization, the world’s oldest and largest healthcare accrediting body. Most recently, she served as Vice President - Global Consulting for Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission International. In this position, Anne oversaw the management of more than 100 health professional consultants and the delivery of consulting, education, and technical assistance services for more than 1,500 U.S. and international healthcare consulting clients, including individual healthcare organizations, government agencies, Ministries of Health, and industry partners. She has worked intensively in South Africa, Zambia, Turkey, India, China, Malaysia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries.
Allan Allweiss
Allan Allweiss is a Senior Managing Director with LBC Credit Partners, a leading provider of middle market financing solutions. He has more than 25 years’ experience in various senior management positions in the banking and credit industry.
Allan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lawrence University, along with a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
Allan got involved in RefugeeOne beginning in 2014 owing to his growing concern for the safety, health and well-being of refugees. Allan joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in November 2015. He and his wife Emily live in Northbrook and have two grown children.
Allan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lawrence University, along with a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
Allan got involved in RefugeeOne beginning in 2014 owing to his growing concern for the safety, health and well-being of refugees. Allan joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in November 2015. He and his wife Emily live in Northbrook and have two grown children.
Carole Weis Burns
Carole Burns is the Director of Special Education for Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois. In this role, Carole is actively involved in working with many first generation families and supporting students in the educational process. Among these families are newly arrived refugees from many countries and from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Prior to her work in Skokie, Carole has worked in special education administration throughout the south and southwest suburbs. She is a certified speech and language pathologist and has worked in healthcare and hospitals. Carole has also taught at the graduate level at St. Xavier University and Governors State University in the areas of language acquisition including second language influences and reading.
Carole resides in the Beverly area with her husband and four daughters.
Prior to her work in Skokie, Carole has worked in special education administration throughout the south and southwest suburbs. She is a certified speech and language pathologist and has worked in healthcare and hospitals. Carole has also taught at the graduate level at St. Xavier University and Governors State University in the areas of language acquisition including second language influences and reading.
Carole resides in the Beverly area with her husband and four daughters.
Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown is a Managing Director at Wind Point Partners, a private equity firm that partners with executives to acquire and maximize the potential of middle-market businesses. Nathan joined Wind Point in 1997 and was promoted to Managing Director in 2004.
Nathan holds a BA in Philosophy from Queen’s University, with Distinction. He received his MBA with honors from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.
Nathan became aware of RefugeeOne through Kenilworth Union Church. His first hands-on experience came in 2015, when his family partnered with other church members to co-sponsor 6 refugees from South Sudan. Helping them settle into the U.S. was a fantastic experience for his entire family and they especially cherished the bond they formed with the children. In 2016, Wind Point Partners formed a Mentor Team for a Congolese family. The experience has been a great team- and culture-building opportunity for employees.
Nathan and his wife, Barbara, have been living in the Chicago area for 20 years. They currently reside in Winnetka with their three children.
Nathan holds a BA in Philosophy from Queen’s University, with Distinction. He received his MBA with honors from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.
Nathan became aware of RefugeeOne through Kenilworth Union Church. His first hands-on experience came in 2015, when his family partnered with other church members to co-sponsor 6 refugees from South Sudan. Helping them settle into the U.S. was a fantastic experience for his entire family and they especially cherished the bond they formed with the children. In 2016, Wind Point Partners formed a Mentor Team for a Congolese family. The experience has been a great team- and culture-building opportunity for employees.
Nathan and his wife, Barbara, have been living in the Chicago area for 20 years. They currently reside in Winnetka with their three children.
Rebecca Carlins
Born in Rangoon, Burma, Rebecca Carlins spent her early childhood there before immigrating to the United States in 1971 with her parents, brother and sister. Her family settled in Skokie, Illinois. She went on to graduate from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, then on to graduate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. From 1988 to 1993, Rebecca served as a Litigation Associate for Rooks, Pitts and Poust, in Chicago. From 1993 to 1999, she was an attorney in the Division of Enforcement at U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.
Rebecca spends her free time traveling, running, biking, doing yoga and volunteering with a variety of Chicago philanthropic organizations. Rebecca has been a tremendous supporter of RefugeeOne for the past several years. She has also attended several of the RefugeeOne fundraising events and served as a committee member of the 2013 Annual Many Voices. One Vision. Gala. As a board member, she hopes to take a more active role in raising money and putting on successful special events for RefugeeOne.
Rebecca spends her free time traveling, running, biking, doing yoga and volunteering with a variety of Chicago philanthropic organizations. Rebecca has been a tremendous supporter of RefugeeOne for the past several years. She has also attended several of the RefugeeOne fundraising events and served as a committee member of the 2013 Annual Many Voices. One Vision. Gala. As a board member, she hopes to take a more active role in raising money and putting on successful special events for RefugeeOne.
Anna Coldwell
Anna Coldwell has been with Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest accounting firms, since 2011. She became a Director in 2014. In addition to her tax planning services for clients, Anna is or has been involved at a variety of nonprofits and associations, including The Cara Program, Habitat for Humanity of Holmes County, Women in Manufacturing, and President’s Resource Organization. Anna also enjoys staying active through outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and canoeing.
Anna is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. in accountancy from Ohio State University. She was glad to join the board of RefugeeOne in 2016, feeling privileged to be able to make a difference in the lives of those seeking shelter, safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
Anna is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. in accountancy from Ohio State University. She was glad to join the board of RefugeeOne in 2016, feeling privileged to be able to make a difference in the lives of those seeking shelter, safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
Laura Coplan
Laura Coplan has volunteered for RefugeeOne since 2011, both as a Women’s Mentor and in the office. She found working with refugees rewarding and fulfilling, and became interested in improving the lives of refugees by serving on the Board of Directors.
Laura worked as a consultant in health care management for Ernst & Young and for Children’s Memorial Medical Center before staying at home to raise her family. She has been involved in volunteering at numerous not-for-profit organizations including Chicago Botanic Garden, Am Shalom Congregation, and Junior Kindergarten.
Laura received a BBA from The University of Iowa and a MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She enjoys gardening, yoga, and travel. She and her husband reside in the northern suburbs and have three adult children.
Laura worked as a consultant in health care management for Ernst & Young and for Children’s Memorial Medical Center before staying at home to raise her family. She has been involved in volunteering at numerous not-for-profit organizations including Chicago Botanic Garden, Am Shalom Congregation, and Junior Kindergarten.
Laura received a BBA from The University of Iowa and a MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She enjoys gardening, yoga, and travel. She and her husband reside in the northern suburbs and have three adult children.
Robert Dunn
Robert Dunn serves as Chief Risk Officer and Investment Committee member for MCP Alternative Asset Partners, a global asset management firm specializing in hedge fund investments. He has been with MCP since 2005 and previously held senior investment positions with several financial firms in the Chicago area.
Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, along with a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago.
He became interested in refugee issues after following media reports highlighting the plight of refugees in 2014 and 2015. Robert and his wife Kelley got involved with RefugeeOne when they co-sponsored the resettlement of a family from Myanmar and witnessed the impact the process had on the family. He joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in November 2016.
Robert and his wife Kelley live in Clarendon Hills. They have three adult children.
Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, along with a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago.
He became interested in refugee issues after following media reports highlighting the plight of refugees in 2014 and 2015. Robert and his wife Kelley got involved with RefugeeOne when they co-sponsored the resettlement of a family from Myanmar and witnessed the impact the process had on the family. He joined RefugeeOne’s Board of Directors in November 2016.
Robert and his wife Kelley live in Clarendon Hills. They have three adult children.
Steven Dyme
Steven Dyme is co-founder & CEO of Flowers for Dreams, a Chicago-based flower service that was recently named one of Business Insider’s Most Inspiring Companies in America for its innovative business model.
Steven is considered one of the leading voices on social enterprise in Chicago, having served on Governor Pat Quinn’s Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise as well as becoming one of the first 30 B Corps in the state of Illinois.
Steven was an outspoken advocate for the #RefugeesWelcome campaign, writing a powerful op-ed entitled “Why my Chicago company supports refugees” in the Chicago Sun-Times as a direct response to the Illinois Governor’s proposed ban on Syrian refugees entering the state in 2016.
Steven is considered one of the leading voices on social enterprise in Chicago, having served on Governor Pat Quinn’s Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise as well as becoming one of the first 30 B Corps in the state of Illinois.
Steven was an outspoken advocate for the #RefugeesWelcome campaign, writing a powerful op-ed entitled “Why my Chicago company supports refugees” in the Chicago Sun-Times as a direct response to the Illinois Governor’s proposed ban on Syrian refugees entering the state in 2016.
Oi Eng-Crandus
Oi Eng-Crandus is currently Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising at Essendant, a leading distributor of workplace essentials. She previously held positions in strategy, finance, and business development at Sears and BP Amoco and began her career in banking.
Having immigrated to the States from Hong Kong as a child, Oi understands the struggles immigrants face and looks forward to helping RefugeeOne accomplish its mission. In addition, she has non-profit experience from having served on the Board at Temple Judea Mizpah and volunteering in a variety of organizations.
Oi earned her M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Park Ridge with her husband and two sons.
Having immigrated to the States from Hong Kong as a child, Oi understands the struggles immigrants face and looks forward to helping RefugeeOne accomplish its mission. In addition, she has non-profit experience from having served on the Board at Temple Judea Mizpah and volunteering in a variety of organizations.
Oi earned her M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Park Ridge with her husband and two sons.
Jay Gratz
Jay M. Gratz, a certified Public Accountant, brings extensive financial experience with a wide-range of financial issues to RefugeeOne.
Jay served most recently as Chief Financial Officer of VisTracks, Inc., and previously as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ryerson Inc. (a metals processor and distributor), and President of Ryerson Coil Processing Division. Jay served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and in various other positions of Inland Steel Industries since 1975. Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for the TrexCompany (a public company global leading provider of composite decking) and the Samuel, Son & Co. Ltd (the leading privately-held North American metal distributor and processor).
Jay received a B.A. in economics from State University of New York in Buffalo and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Jay served most recently as Chief Financial Officer of VisTracks, Inc., and previously as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ryerson Inc. (a metals processor and distributor), and President of Ryerson Coil Processing Division. Jay served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and in various other positions of Inland Steel Industries since 1975. Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for the TrexCompany (a public company global leading provider of composite decking) and the Samuel, Son & Co. Ltd (the leading privately-held North American metal distributor and processor).
Jay received a B.A. in economics from State University of New York in Buffalo and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Elias Kasongo
Elias Kasongo was a student in the Congo when he had to flee for his life at the age of 22. After four years moving between refugee camps, he was resettled by RefugeeOne and the Congregational Church of Park Manor in 1994.
Although his journey was challenging, Elias has accomplished much in the U.S. Less than two months after his arrival, RefugeeOne helped him get a job on the cleaning crew at the Eli's Cheesecake Company. Now, 20 years later, he is the Purchasing and Materials Manager at Eli’s, responsible for purchasing many millions of dollars each year.
While working fulltime, Elias earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management at Northeastern Illinois University. He, his wife, and their three children recently bought a home in River Grove.
Although his journey was challenging, Elias has accomplished much in the U.S. Less than two months after his arrival, RefugeeOne helped him get a job on the cleaning crew at the Eli's Cheesecake Company. Now, 20 years later, he is the Purchasing and Materials Manager at Eli’s, responsible for purchasing many millions of dollars each year.
While working fulltime, Elias earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management at Northeastern Illinois University. He, his wife, and their three children recently bought a home in River Grove.
Clare Kralovec
Clare Kralovec is President of the Tallgrass Land Conservation in Arlington Heights, IL. Tallgrass Land Conservation, LLC (“TLC”) was created in 2008 to build and manage wetland mitigation banks. Clare works to develop wetland banking projects and partnerships in Wisconsin and Illinois to help companies compensate for their impacts to wetland communities.
Clare has long felt a desire to care for the Earth and the people who inhabit it. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, then went on to graduate from the J.D. Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. From 1989 to 2006, Clare worked as an attorney at several practices, including Clare M. Kralovec, LLC of Chicago and Caffarelli & Siegel Ltd. of Chicago, focusing on civil litigation cases involving employment and civil rights. She also spent time teaching civil liberties at Lake Forest College.
Outside of her work, Clare continues to be active in the community. She first became involved in RefugeeOne through her congregation, First Congregational Church of Western Springs. With her congregation, she has assisted with co-sponsoring refugee families arriving to the Chicago area for nearly a decade. Clare also spends her time active in other ministries of her church, as a sports coach, and volunteering with other nonprofit groups.
Clare has long felt a desire to care for the Earth and the people who inhabit it. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, then went on to graduate from the J.D. Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. From 1989 to 2006, Clare worked as an attorney at several practices, including Clare M. Kralovec, LLC of Chicago and Caffarelli & Siegel Ltd. of Chicago, focusing on civil litigation cases involving employment and civil rights. She also spent time teaching civil liberties at Lake Forest College.
Outside of her work, Clare continues to be active in the community. She first became involved in RefugeeOne through her congregation, First Congregational Church of Western Springs. With her congregation, she has assisted with co-sponsoring refugee families arriving to the Chicago area for nearly a decade. Clare also spends her time active in other ministries of her church, as a sports coach, and volunteering with other nonprofit groups.
Bob Nichol
Bob Nichol is Senior Vice President at PNC Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of PNC Bank. He has worked in the lending industry for over 25 years.
Bob’s involvement with Refugee One began with co-sponsoring refugee families through his congregation, First Congregational Church of Western Springs.
Bob earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northern Illinois University, and his M.B.A. from DePaul University in Chicago.
Bob and his wife reside in Western Springs with their three kids.
Bob’s involvement with Refugee One began with co-sponsoring refugee families through his congregation, First Congregational Church of Western Springs.
Bob earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northern Illinois University, and his M.B.A. from DePaul University in Chicago.
Bob and his wife reside in Western Springs with their three kids.
Scott Pollock
Scott Pollock is the founder of Scott D. Pollock and Associates, a Chicago-based law firm specializing in immigration and nationality law. He has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the Supreme Courts of Illinois and New York. Through his career, he has concentrated on the legal issues that refugees and asylees face: before founding his firm, he worked as the director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Immigration and Refugee Legal Services.
Scott is a member of the pro-bono immigration law clinic he co-founded through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in 1997. He served on the RefugeeOne board from 2002-2007 and returned in January 2014. He attended Antioch College, where he studied English Literature, and Brooklyn Law School. He lives in Chicago with his wife and their two children.
Scott is a member of the pro-bono immigration law clinic he co-founded through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in 1997. He served on the RefugeeOne board from 2002-2007 and returned in January 2014. He attended Antioch College, where he studied English Literature, and Brooklyn Law School. He lives in Chicago with his wife and their two children.
Robbin Schoewe
Robbin Schoewe has helped numerous refugees acclimate or resettle in the Chicago area since 2010. Thanks to her leadership, the Yale Club of Chicago annually co-sponsors a refugee family, which includes setting-up an apartment, greeting refugees at O’Hare, and mentoring them during their first six months in the U.S.
Robbin has served or serves on the board of non-profits including Peer Health Exchange, PACTT, the Benevolence Committee of Winnetka Congregational Church, the North Shore Giving Circle and the Yale Club of Chicago.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Robbin worked for O’Connor and Associates in Chicago and Swiss Bank Corporation in Tokyo and Hong Kong as a foreign-exchange risk management advisor to corporate clients.
Robbin graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Economics, earned a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University in 2014, and is presently pursuing a Masters in Global Health with Northwestern University.
Robbin has served or serves on the board of non-profits including Peer Health Exchange, PACTT, the Benevolence Committee of Winnetka Congregational Church, the North Shore Giving Circle and the Yale Club of Chicago.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Robbin worked for O’Connor and Associates in Chicago and Swiss Bank Corporation in Tokyo and Hong Kong as a foreign-exchange risk management advisor to corporate clients.
Robbin graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Economics, earned a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University in 2014, and is presently pursuing a Masters in Global Health with Northwestern University.
