Founding Board of Directors
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Z. Ted Lorenc, MD
Founding Board Chair
As a caring internal medicine physician, Ted has impacted the care of innumerable patients & through his mentorship - professorship has shaped the manner in which his former students practice medicine. Since its inception, Ted's insight & commitment to the Brain Medicine Institute have proven invaluable.
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Gordon Pullen, PhD
Founding Board Vice Chair
As Former Assistant Dean for Basic Sciences at Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, Gordon has been lauded by his peers, colleague & students. He has received numerous community service & teaching awards. His dedication combined with ground-breaking education methods have helped countless medical students. Gordon has numerous publications in the field of cardio-pulmonary physiology.
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Steve Schaumberger, MBA
Founding Board Treasurer
Steve has a unique ability to create synergies by connecting people. For the past 35 years he has worked closely with professionals & advisors to design & implement strategies providing innovative, cost-effective planning & risk management solutions. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, the past president & current programming chief of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago & also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Executives Club of Chicago, JUF Professional Advisory Committee, Chicago Estate Planning Council & Ravinia Festival Annual Fund. As an avid photographer, Steve, authored “Sunrise to Sunset: Photography of Fort Sheridan”.
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Erin B. Dominiak, MD
Founding Board Secretary
As a family medicine physician, Erin has dedicated her professional life to people with Down Syndrome. Her passion & concern for the wellbeing of her patients leads to tailoring her practice to the health & wellbeing of the individual. Listed in Chicago Magazine as one of the Top Doctors from 2018 - 2022 & Exceptional Women in Medicine from 2019 - 2021.
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John A. Canning Jr., JD
Founding Board Member
Founder & Chair of Madison Dearborn Partners & Co-owner of Milwaukee Brewers, at heart, John is a philanthropist of the highest caliber & as Co-Chair of the Big Shoulders Fund has provided value based education for inner city youths resulting in life long success. John has also acted as Director of the Economic Club of Chicago, Trustee & Chair of the Museum of Science & Industry, as well as the Field Museum & is a former Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago & The Chicago Community Trust. John is a recipient of The Order of Lincoln (Illinois highest honor).
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Kiran Chekka, MD
Founding Board Member
Kiran has been in medical practice for over 20 years & provides cutting edge care for patients with complex medical issues. As the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Roseland Community Hospital, he is extremely dedicated to local communities. In this role, Kiran has been at the forefront of COVID education & vaccine delivery. Internationally, Kiran has notably provided care to patients in Nepal.
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Arnold Goldberg, MBA
Founding Board Member
Motivated by his mother’s dedication, Arnold has over 40 years of expertise & cutting edge innovation in the delivery of long term treatment for people with Alzheimers Disease. He is an unmatched innovator & founder of The Wealshire Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living Community. Arnold’s household concept of care is at the forefront of medical delivery continuum.
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Jacqueline Joanem
Founding Board Member
Former Founding Board Co-Chair
As a resident of Lake County, Illinois, Jacqueline is extremely involved in her community & also contributes selflessly to social causes. As a paralegal, she has over 20 years experience in several areas of law including real state, family, corporate & civil governance. Her dedication & leadership are unparalleled.
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John L. Joanem, JD, Hon.
Founding Board Member
Former Legal & Risk Prevention Officer
As a son of a nurse, John has been personally exposed to health care issues since childhood. As a lawyer, he has a strong commitment & passion for community involvement, serving & elevating those around him. John is excellent at resolving complex legal & regulatory issues, facilitating new opportunities & preventing business exposure & risk.
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Mark S. Kirk, JD, MSc, Ret. US Senator
Founding Board Member
As an attorney, Naval Commander, retired United States Congressman & Senator, Mark has dedicated his life to serving. He is the founder of Kirk Global Advisors which focuses on issues at the intersection of business & society. He is the definition of public service.
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Trisha & Bob Kot
Founding Board Members
Trisha & Bob know brain injury personally. With great courage they have faced its consequences & have dedicated themselves to spearheading the Nick Kot Charity for TBI. In honor of their son, this charity has raised funds for research, increased awareness & actively promoted education to help families affected by traumatic brain injuries.
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James Onan
Founding Board Member
James has an intimate understanding of Parkinson’s & dementia. His dedication & unwavering commitment drives his passion to improve the lives of people in his community. James generosity is only matched by the size of his heart.
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Antonio M. Romanucci, JD
Founding Board Member
There is no greater compliment than that given by a colleague as such: “I have not met nor worked with a legal professional who is more dedicated to client causes & concerns than Antonio”. Ranked as a super-lawyer in both Chicago and the United States, Antonio, co-counsel & the George Floyd family have been honored with the Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberty Award. In 2022, Antonio was named Civil Rights Lawyer of the the Year & is a recognized leader in complex, high profile tort cases.
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Sandra L. Senno, MD, MSW
Founding Board Member
Former Founding Board Secretary
Motivated to help people in need, Sandra began her career as a social worker. This passion led to a profession as a physician. She has over 25 years of expertise in the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specifically in the treatment of patients with traumatic brain injuries & strokes. Sandra’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.
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David Soto
Founding Board Member
David’s passion for being on the forefront of innovation is unmatched. His love is generating sustainable ideas that will impact the quality of life for many. He has been described as having a heart of gold & there is no act of kindness that he would not do for others.
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Brian D. Sweeney
Founding Board Member
First & foremost, Brian is an extraordinary father & author of “every 21 seconds”. A story of how a person’s life can, as a result of a traumatic brain injury, be forever changed in a New York second. Moreover, his book has been adapted into a movie. Brian’s business background includes over 30 years of executive management & sales - building strong employee culture resulting in maximizing affective business partnerships. As a motivational speaker, Brian has made it his mission to educate the public on the sequela of traumatic brain injuries.
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Ryan Williamson
Founding Board Member
As a healthcare provider, Ryan has first hand experience with people with traumatic brain injuries. He brings a fresh & diverse marketing perspective & views to this project with an unparalleled dedication.
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Future Board Members & Partnerships
We look forward to forming long lasting partnerships with aligned organizations & welcoming future board members.