BOARD MEMBERS
Brenda Napholz
Board Member: Founder and Interim Executive Director
Brenda has lived in the McHenry County community since 1992. She has spent that time raising her family and staying actively involved in projects that empower our youth. The BREAK is a special project that she and a group of sophomores from Crystal Lake South High School began in January 2013. Watching the community and the youth evolve into a partnership of empowerment has been a highlight of her work in the community. She holds her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Drake University. She is co-owner of Fast Finish Coaching, loves running, reading and spending time with her family.
Patrick Barkley
Board Member: Vice President
Pat has lived in Crystal Lake since 1990, is married to Gayle, and they have three children and four grandchildren. He was a Part Time staff member at Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) for 10 years after having retired from the Allstate Insurance Corporation in 2011. He is a certified Special Olympics coach and has coached Special Olympic basketball teams since 2005. He has had decades of experience as a coach of youth sports in the area. Pat is also volunteer at Senior Care Volunteer Network (SCVN). Pat has served as a past President and Board Member of the NISRA Foundation Board of Directors 2012-2018. Other previous board membership includes the Crystal Lake Raiders 2000-2004 and the Crystal Lake America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta 1997-1999.
Michelle Mangin
Board Member: President
Michelle lives in Crystal Lake with her husband and two teenagers. Soon after moving to the area in 2018, Michelle was looking for activities for her youngest child and was so grateful to find the BREAK that she wanted to help support the mission in whatever way she could. Michelle has a degree in Journalism, but spent most of her career in corporate training and development management. Even after staying at home to raise a family, Michelle has been actively involved in every community she has lived, and currently serves as president of a nonprofit supporting local mothers.
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Adam Brady
Board Member: Treasurer
Adam has lived in the McHenry County area since 2001 with his wife and three kids between the ages of 14-21. He has been involved in non-profit organizations since 2013, and having two teenagers finds the mission of the Break a much needed one in this community. He graduated from Illinois State with a Sociology degree and is currently an Account Lead in Technology Sales. He enjoys sports, music and good food.
Laura Dzielski
Board Member
Laura is an attorney at Kelleher + Holland, LLC, and concentrates her practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration, commercial and residential real estate, and business enterprises. She graduated from Western Michigan University Law School, Cum Laude, in 2012, and from Western Illinois University with a B.B.A. in finance in 2009. Laura is the recipient of the 2021 Super Lawyer "Rising Star" and 2021 Illinois Leading Lawyer awards. Laura lends her time and knowledge to many organizations, including the Illinois State Bar Association, the Advocates Society for the Association of Polish American Attorneys, the American Diabetes Association, and both the Chicago Alumni Chapters of Delta Zeta and Delta Sigma Pi. Laura lives with her fiance and two Australian Shepherds in Crystal Lake and enjoys spending time cycling, golfing, kayaking, and involved in her local community.
John Wember
Board Member: Director
John was born and raised in McHenry County and graduated from Marian Central Catholic in 1987. He attended Northern Illinois University and achieved a BS in Biology. He moved back to the area in 2009 and in 2010 became a founding member in Domek Logistics an international logistics company based in Crystal Lake, IL. His career in logistics has allowed him to travel extensively around the world solving supply chain-related issues on a global scale. In 2018 he sold his interests in Domek Logistics to Masterpiece International. He is currently the top salesperson for Masterpiece International. He was introduced to The Break while serving as a team member of LGMC with Brenda and has previously offered input and assistance on the fundraising efforts. When not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, and running.
Sara Davis
Board Member: Director of Social Media and Marketing
Sara grew up in Oakwood Hills and graduated from Crystal Lake Central back when phones still had cords and call-waiting was cool. After high school, she joined the Navy and spent the next 8 years in California before returning to McHenry County. Sara continued her education and eventually received her degree in psychology/human services. Believing there are a million ways to be of service to others, she continued her volunteer service as a McHenry County CASA and eventually went on to join Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County as their Operations Director in 2018. As a graduate of the 2021 LGMC class, she discovered The BREAK and couldn’t resist becoming a part of the mission. Sara currently lives in Lake in the Hills with her husband, two daughters and their two German Shorthair Pointers she obsesses over.
Meredith Schaefer
Board Member: Secretary
Meredith has lived in McHenry County for most of her life, having grown up in Cary where she returned in 2011 to raise her two sons. She is the Director of Institutional Advancement at Raue Center For The Arts and holds a B.A. in English from Loras College. Previously, she worked for Shaw Media for 17 years, most recently serving as Group Director of Marketing, Events and Promotions. She is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Greater McHenry County and has had the opportunity to serve on the boards for Assisi Animal Foundation, Elderwerks, McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce and Veterans Path to Hope.
Tom Napholz
Board Member: Director
Tom has been in Crystal Lake since 1992. He recently retired from Allstate Insurance Company after a 26 year career in their investment department. He is currently involved with Consumer Credit Counseling Services, providing Financial Literacy Education workshops for the NFP agency. He also provides bookkeeping services for the Break, as well as plumbing and various other chores assigned to him. When he is not working, he is gardening, biking and spending time with his family. He has coached several youth sports over the years and was a member of the Crystal Lake Raiders board in the early 2000s for three years. Tom earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and his MBA from Drake University.