WELCOME TO OUR NEW 2019 MEMBERS

Pam Bailey

Pam Bailey was proposed by Carlyn Bond and seconded by Donna Frett and Kristy Brown.  Pam worked for Crate & Barrel for 18 years, first as the Regional Director of retail on the East Coast, and then as a Product Developer and Design Manager here at Crate & Barrel headquarters. Two years ago, she left Crate & Barrel and started her own company, Union Home. She designs and manages a full line of wood, stone and metal furniture and decor with a Scandinavian influence. She also does contract design work for other house-ware companies. She travels all over the world for work.
Pam and her husband Brian, an illustrator, moved to Evanston in 2009 when her job shifted to local Crate & Barrel headquarters. Pam has a son in eighth grade at Haven School. Currently she volunteers her time at son Luca’s school, with ESCCA and for Business Council for Peace, an organization that provides pro bono consulting to businesses in Afghanistan, El Salvador and Guatemala. She is a home gardener and is rumored to have the most beautiful window boxes on Noyes Street.  Pam is also a great cook. 
Her work with Greenpeace perhaps foreshadows an interest in the Conservation Committee’s work, but her natural curiosity, tenacity and civic engagement will lead her to be a well-rounded GCE member!

LESLIE COUSINEAU

Leslie Cousineau was proposed for membership by Bonnie Shapiro and seconded by Kristy Brown and Tracy Gallun.  Leslie grew up in Connecticut and received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut where she met her husband, Jim. Leslie was in graduate school working toward a master’s degree in Architecture when they married.  In 1993, the young couple moved to Evanston. They have two sons; Ben is a senior at Denison University and Andrew a senior at ETHS. Leslie has worked for the Chicago Institute for the Study of Architecture & Technology, primarily as a research specialist. 
She has also spent time as an active member of the ETHS Boosters and as an ETHS parent ambassador, and has been heavily involved in the Evanston Youth Hockey Association.  She works with the Democratic party of Evanston; last year Leslie became a certified registrar, working to ensure any rising 18-year old that wanted to vote was registered and able to do so.  In anticipation of empty nester status, and as an interesting next step in her career, she recently started working for local architecture firm DMAC Architecture.
Leslie has a passion for architecture, and enjoys the theater and live music. She cares about the environment and our community. Leslie puts her heart into all that she does!

Loreen Mershimer

Loreen Mershimer was proposed by Anne Berkeley and seconded by Barbara Putta and Fern Allison. Loreen grew up in Pennsylvania. She received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University where she met her late husband, Robert Mustacchi. Shortly after graduating, Loreen was employed by Abbott Labs where she worked for thirty years, including as Corporate Vice President of Pharmaceuticals.
Since 2008 Loreen has been a private consultant in the Chicago area as well as the CEO of Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals in Wisconsin.  She also serves as Chair of the Woman’s Club of Evanston Charitable Foundation.
During the growing season, Loreen can be found working tirelessly in her exquisite English-style garden in Wilmette. She also enjoys taking courses at the Chicago Botanic Garden, playing tennis, skiing and visiting with her two grown children, Katarina and Robert.

Penelope Sachs

Penelope Sachs was proposed by Kim Perutz and seconded by Alex Piper and Barbara Putta.  Penelope was born in Ecuador and raised in the United Kingdom.  She attended Bristol University and was graduated with honors.  She worked for Leo Burnett Advertising in London for three years and then in Hong Kong for two years.  She emigrated to the United States with her husband, Toby, and daughter, Kerry, in 1993.  
Penelope is known a community “dynamo.”  She has been active in the Evanston Symphony Orchestra since 1993, serving as Board President from 2003-2008, and active in the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra as well.  She served on the Evanston Community Foundation for nine years and was Board President from 2010-2013. Currently, she is a member of the YWCA/North Shore Board.
Penelope is an accomplished gardener, cook and violist.  She has won numerous awards for her equestrian endeavors.  She and husband Toby are dedicated foodies who seek out the latest and most notable additions to the culinary scene wherever they go.

 Leta Strube 

Leta Strube was proposed by Judy Iacuzzi and seconded by Ann Bartling Kathy Riley; she has known Judy, Ann and Kathy for many years, stemming from their involvement together in the Women’s Club of Evanston. Leta is a lifelong resident of the North Shore and has been involved in marketing (most recently as Director of the Mather), and many community activities.  She has served as Executive Director of the Wilmette United Way for 10 years. She was manager of the Women’s Business Initiative at Bank One for three years and began her career after college in advertising at Leo Burnett.  
She knows her way around gardens and kitchens: Leta worked for several years part-time with a good friend in a catering business. A culinary artist she is! She shares her love of gardens and the out-of-doors with her three children, five grandchildren, all of whom live locally and see her abundantly. Her son Tim, recently engaged, has his own business in the film industry in Los Angeles.
Leta is enthusiastic, high-energy, a team player and leader. She will be a wonderful addition to GCE, bringing an array of talents, including bridge!

Dana Teeter

Rose Caldwell proposed Dana Teeter for membership, and Andrea Knohl and Carlyn Bond were Seconders.  Dana is a marketing and events consultant who has lived in Evanston for 18 years with her husband, Chuck Teeter, and her sons, Ben and Luke. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated with a degree in Communications from Vanderbilt University. Her fascination with floral design began at an early age as she watched her uncle, who owned a floral business, design flowers for family events. She had the opportunity to live in France for a few years which sealed her respect and love for gardens and the floral arts. Her other hobbies are cooking, entertaining, reading, photography and traveling.
Dana has been an active member in the Evanston community, serving on the board of School for Little Children and Bessie Rhodes PTA. She worked with the Evanston Environmental Association on their first Green Ball and is working with the Levy Senior Center Foundation. She has enjoyed volunteering with Good News Partners and their New Life Shelter in Rogers Park for 15 years. Her outreach started through organizing an annual holiday gift drive for the shelter residents and over the past two years she has coordinated the involvement of ETHS students in tutoring and mentoring programs with the shelter. Earlier this year, she became a member of the Good News Partners Board of Directors.
Dana looks forward to becoming involved in GCE, getting to know the members, and working in Shakespeare Garden.