Understanding Works NFP
Teaching History, Compassion, Kindness and more
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Riva's Reality
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Board of Directors
Allan Ross
Executive Director, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities
Allan is the son of a Jewish Holocaust survivor. After a distinguished career in the military, he became the Executive Director of the local Jewish Federation. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Dr. Maxine Russman
President
Retired - Regional Office of Education in Moline Illinois
Another extraordinary educator, Maxine now enjoys spending quality time with her grandchildren now that she's retired. She and her husband enjoy being snowbirds to Arizona when it gets too cold in the Midwest. Max works with curriculum development and in other ways for the A BOOK by ME series.
Kris Cawley
Secretary/Treasurer
Retired - Rock Island Public Library in Rock Island Illinois
Kris is an integral part of the Jewish community in the Quad Cities. She leads a committee in selecting movies shown typically at the Figge Art Museum, and she serves on both the Yom Hashoah Committee and the Holocaust Education Committee of the Quad Cities.
Sue Rector
Assistant Vice-President of Development at Augustana College in Rock Island Illinois
Sue enjoys sewing and spending time with her family. She serves at her church and on various boards. Also, in a leadership role in Association of Professional Fundraising in the Quad Cities.
Dr. Marrietta Castle
Retired - Western Illinois University
A woman who has dedicated her life to education. She is President of the Holocaust Education Committee of the QC (HECQC) and proofreads every book in the A BOOK by ME series. Marrietta does a fabulous educational program portraying Mary Todd Lincoln.
Terri Toppler
Retired - Media Specialist at West High School in Davenport Iowa
Terri has been an educator for 40+ years. She's taught in Iowa, Australia and China. This includes teaching Holocaust classes at Drake and Aurora Universities. She serves on the Iowa Council for Holocaust Education, is a USHMM Teacher Fellow and a member of DAR Hannah Caldwell Chapter of Iowa.
Sharon Taylor
Retired Civil Servant - U.S. Department of the Army
Sharon's husband Al was one of the last of the Quad Cities area Pearl Harbor survivors. Now a widow, Sharon works tirelessly to see that his book and other stories get into the hands of children. We must never forget the sacrifices made for us.
Cassie Holler
Teacher - Curriculum Development
Cassie grew up with A BOOK by ME in it's development stage. She wrote and illustrated a story about a Jewish Holocaust survivor from Chicago. Today, as a teacher, she knows the need for anti-bullying curriculum in school.
Deb Bowen
Vice President
Creator, A BOOK by ME
A wife, mom and grandma, Deb is in awe the way the children's books have positively effected students, subjects and the families of the subjects. Also, the testimonies of positive impact of the purses given to people in need.