Explore Your Community
Share Your Perspective
Whether you choose to remain anonymous, share your profession, or share your story by name, your experiences, insights, and perspectives may help someone else discover what’s possible.
Students in our community are curious about careers, life paths, and opportunities.
You can share your thoughts in less than a minute.
Every voice helps paint a fuller picture of our community.
Share Your Story ↗
Healthcare Communications
Jaimee Reggio
US Health Managing Director, Golin Ketchum
“Young people should be exposed to more careers that are human-centered and hands-on.”
After studying journalism, Jaimee built a career in healthcare communications and now leads communications for pharmaceutical companies bringing new medicines to market. She works with strategists, creatives, media relations professionals, digital specialists, scientists, and analysts to develop campaigns that help people better understand diseases, treatments, and advances in healthcare. Her career demonstrates how communication skills can lead to meaningful work at the intersection of healthcare, science, and public understanding.
Jaimee Reggio may be open to sharing her experiences in librarianship, lifelong learning, and community engagement with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request, and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Libraries, Learning & Community
Shannon Gruber
Adult & Teen Services Manager · River Forest Public Library
“What you decide to pursue today can evolve into opportunities you haven’t considered. Every experience you have when you start your career will be beneficial, even if you pivot in the future. You don’t necessarily have to turn your passion into a career (sometimes it’s nice to keep your hobbies separate from your 9-to-5), but try to find something that allows you to make a positive contribution.”
When Shannon first learned about My Hometown Hub, she responded,
“Hometown Hub sounds like a super cool initiative!”
Shannon earned her undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising and spent many years in retail management before returning to school in her 30s to earn a Master of Library & Information Science. Today, she helps connect people with information, resources, and opportunities through the River Forest Public Library. She believes librarianship allowed her to combine her professional strengths with her love of reading, research, and lifelong learning while making a positive impact in the community every day.
Shannon Gruber may be open to sharing her experiences in librarianship, lifelong learning, and community engagement with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request, and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Landscape Design & Environmental Stewardship
Jody Evenson
Landscape Designer • Native Landscape Planning
“Try stuff! Don’t worry about making much money right away. Keep your expenses low so that you have this flexibility.”
Jody helps homeowners and communities reimagine outdoor spaces by measuring properties, documenting existing trees, shrubs, and hardscape features, and creating digital landscape plans that emphasize native plants and sustainable design. Her work combines field measurements, drafting technology, creativity, and environmental stewardship to create healthier landscapes.
Jody Evenson may be open to sharing her experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request, and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Sports, Leadership & Youth Development
Mike Powell
Executive Director, Beat the Streets Chicago • Former OPRFHS Wrestling Coach
“I’d love to help the efforts. Please let me know specifics.”
Mike Powell serves as Executive Director of Beat the Streets Chicago, where he helps create opportunities for young people through wrestling, mentorship, and leadership development. Throughout his career, he has worked to support student-athletes both on and off the mat.
Mike Powell may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Education
Mike Feinberg
OPRF Graduate • OPRFHS Tradition of Excellence Award Recipient • Co-Founder of KIPP Schools
“Believe.”
Mike Feinberg is the co-founder of KIPP Schools, one of the largest and most influential charter school networks in the United States. His work has helped create educational opportunities for thousands of young people. When asked what was most important for young people as they explore their futures, his answer was simple: believe.
Mike Feinberg may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Education
Nathan Dudley, OPRFHS ’78
Founding Principal, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
“Every young person always benefits from as much contact with as many responsible adults as possible.”
Valedictorian, Yale graduate, and nationally recognized educational leader, Nathan Dudley co-founded the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School and later served with the New York City Department of Education. His work has helped create opportunities for thousands of young people.
Nate Dudley may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Education
Director of Admissions and Business Manager
Crystal Lake Montessori School
“Focus on being well-rounded and learning how to think critically. Find something practical that you’re good at, and let that create opportunities to pursue your passions.”
Working with students and families every day, this education leader has seen how practical skills, critical thinking, and curiosity can open unexpected doors. Her advice is simple: develop a strong foundation, remain open to opportunities, and let your strengths help guide you toward your passions.
This community member may be open to sharing their experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Public Service
Emergency Manager
“How different experiences and knowledge come together over a career. Very little is ever wasted. Any time something interests you, taking the time to learn more about it often comes back in unexpected ways.”
Through a career spent planning for uncertainty and solving complex problems, this emergency management professional has seen how skills, experiences, and interests often connect in unexpected ways. His perspective is a reminder that learning rarely goes to waste and that curiosity today can create opportunities years later.
This community member may be open to sharing their experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Faith & Community Leadership
OP Pastor
“That every career can be meaningful because the whole world is full of opportunity for healing.”
This local pastor believes meaningful work can be found in many places. Every profession offers opportunities to contribute, serve others, and make a positive difference in the community.
This community member may be open to sharing their experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Sonya E.
Support Analyst
“I’d explain the importance of starting from the bottom and working your way up.”
As a Support Analyst, Sonya understands that careers are often built one step at a time. Her perspective reflects the value of learning the fundamentals, gaining experience, and recognizing that growth often comes from being willing to start wherever the opportunity begins.
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Business & Community Leadership
Scott McAdam (Class of 1978)
OPRFHS Tradition of Excellence Award Recipient • Founder and President, McAdam Landscaping
“It is not necessary to find the perfect job. It is important to explore possibilities and opportunities in a wide range of careers or interests to help you make career decisions.”
An OPRFHS graduate and Tradition of Excellence Award recipient, Scott McAdam built a successful career as founder and president of McAdam Landscaping while also serving in numerous community leadership roles. His perspective encourages young people to stay curious, explore different paths, and recognize that meaningful careers are often discovered through experience rather than certainty.
Scott McAdam may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Public Service & Civic Leadership
Deno Andrews
Village Trustee (2017–2021) • Board of Health Commissioner (2005–2011)
“I love this idea and have often talked to people about the benefits of something like this.”
Having served Oak Park in both elected and appointed leadership roles, Deno Andrews has long believed in strengthening connections within the community. His support reflects the idea that creating opportunities for young people benefits not only individuals, but the community as a whole.
Deno Andrews may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Mike Raspatello
Founder, Raspatello & Co. • Former Strategy Leader, AB InBev • Kellogg MBA
“Don’t measure success by anyone else’s metric. Find your satisfaction and never stop striving for it.”
Mike Raspatello is an entrepreneur, operator, and brand strategist whose career has spanned startups, entertainment, experiential marketing, and global brand development. His advice is a reminder that success is personal. Rather than following someone else’s definition of achievement, young people should focus on finding meaningful work, continuing to grow, and building a path that reflects their own values and aspirations.
Additional Perspective
“It might be trite, but OPRF certainly felt less like a ‘bubble’ than the massive Midwest university I attended. I learned more about the spectrum of human experiences, upbringings, hurdles, and perspectives in a week of passing periods at OPRF than in four years of college.”
Michael Raspatello may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Business, Entrepreneurship & Creativity
Ana María Márquez Buendía
Founder, Ochabe Handmade
“I brought that legacy to Chicago and built a brand around it — not to preserve the past, but to carry it forward.”
Ana María Márquez Buendía is the founder of Ochabe Handmade, a business inspired by generations of Colombian craftsmanship and artistry. Through her work, she carries forward family traditions while creating something new. Ana believes in the power of local connection and was drawn to My Hometown Hub’s vision of bringing together students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members throughout Oak Park and River Forest.
Learn More ↗ ochabe.com
Explore Ana’s work, products, and creative ventures through Ochabe Handmade.
*Ana María Márquez Buendía may be open to sharing her experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Arts, Media & Entertainment
Kevin Biggins
OPRFHS Tradition of Excellence Award Recipient • Writer & Producer
“We could find a way through Zoom or other tech to make this work—and have it be interactive and fun.”
Kevin Biggins is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and comedian whose work has included Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Tosh.0, and other television projects. An Oak Park and River Forest High School Tradition of Excellence Award recipient, Kevin was one of the earliest supporters of My Hometown Hub. His perspective highlights how technology can help create meaningful, engaging conversations between young people and experienced professionals regardless of geography.
Kevin Biggins may be open to sharing his experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Library Services & Higher Education
Gabrielle Frigo
Circulation Coordinator
Rebecca Crown Library | Dominican University
“Young people should understand that there are career paths they have never heard of.”
Working in higher education and library services, Gabrielle Frigo regularly helps people discover information, resources, and opportunities they might not have known existed. Her perspective is a reminder that many rewarding careers remain invisible until someone takes the time to explore them.
Learn More ↗ Dominican University
Gabrielle Frigo may be open to sharing her experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Healthcare & Allied Health
Victoria Delis
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
“Learning how to grow from failure can shape both your career and who you become as a person. Some of the most important lessons in healthcare—and in life—come through experience, resilience, and reflection.”
Victoria Delis works as a pediatric occupational therapist, helping children build skills, develop routines, and gain greater independence in everyday life. She believes occupational therapy can be an excellent option for people interested in healthcare who may be looking for a path outside of traditional medical or nursing school. Her perspective is a reminder that many meaningful careers exist beyond the professions students hear about most often.
Victoria Delis may be open to sharing her experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Human Resources & Manufacturing
Manufacturing Professional
“I started with a degree in English. You will get as far as you believe you can. Try anything and everything and take the opportunities you do get.”
Working in Human Resources at a large manufacturing facility, this professional helps manage relationships between union employees and management while leading trainings, workshops, and employee engagement initiatives. Their career journey serves as a reminder that career paths are rarely linear. Opportunities often emerge from unexpected places, and staying open to new experiences can lead to meaningful and rewarding work.
This community member may be open to sharing their experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Marketing & Media
Marketing Professional
“Creative and entrepreneurial career paths that are well-funded. Our youth are deeply creative and deserve compensation for that.”
Working in marketing, this professional helps organizations communicate ideas, products, and services through storytelling, branding, and media. Their perspective reflects a belief that creativity has real economic value and that young people should be exposed to career paths that allow them to combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and meaningful work.
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Real Estate & Construction
House Flipping Professional
“Get exposure to real-life challenges, and innovate traditional industries with modern technologies and thinking.”
Working in residential real estate and home renovation, this professional transforms properties through a combination of planning, problem-solving, construction, and business decision-making. Their perspective reflects the belief that some of the most valuable learning comes from tackling real-world challenges and finding new ways to improve long-established industries.
This community member may be open to sharing their experiences with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Faith & Community Leadership
Pastor of Care and Mission Initiatives
Church in Oak Park
“Would love to create a pathway to serve and partner with youth to strengthen the community.”
Through his work in ministry and community care, this Oak Park pastor has seen the power of relationships, service, and shared responsibility. His perspective reflects the belief that strengthening a community begins by creating opportunities for young people and adults to learn, grow, and serve together.
This Pastor of Care and Mission Initiatives, Church in Oak Park may be open to sharing their experiences and perspective with others in the community. If you’d like to learn more, submit a question or introduction request and MHH will help facilitate a connection when appropriate.
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Help someone explore what’s possible.
Share a perspective, career story, lesson learned, or opportunity from your own journey.
Small conversations can create meaningful connections.