Friends of Wildwood PTOFriends of Wildwood PTO is an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Donations to Friends of Wildwood PTO are tax-deductible. For tax purposes, our EIN is 47-4013946.
Friends of Wildwood PTO's mission includes community-building and other important Wildwood IB World Magnet initiatives. |
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MEET THE BOARD
Renee Neumeier, President
Renee, her husband, Owen, and their 5th-grade daughter, Lettie, moved to Wildwood right before kindergarten. Renee loves Wildwood and sees being part of the PTO as a way to get more involved and support the school's needs, as well as, the students and their families. Her first experience working with the PTO was when she worked with members to plan the Book Bash. Renee is passionate about community engagement, racial equity, and social justice. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, and indulging in macarons.
Renee, her husband, Owen, and their 5th-grade daughter, Lettie, moved to Wildwood right before kindergarten. Renee loves Wildwood and sees being part of the PTO as a way to get more involved and support the school's needs, as well as, the students and their families. Her first experience working with the PTO was when she worked with members to plan the Book Bash. Renee is passionate about community engagement, racial equity, and social justice. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, and indulging in macarons.
Chrizzy Calixto, Treasurer
Chrizzy and her husband Hanam live in the Wildwood neighborhood with their two daughters Penny (2nd grade) and Zoe (Kindergarten). Both native Chicagoans and CPS alums, Chrizzy and Hanam moved to Wildwood 6 years ago so their girls could be part of an awesome community, being a part of the PTO has helped make Wildwood a home. Chrizzy is an Accountant in the Financial Services industry and the role of Treasurer was a natural fit, but she is ready to help in any way she can. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling near and far with her family and being around good friends.
Chrizzy and her husband Hanam live in the Wildwood neighborhood with their two daughters Penny (2nd grade) and Zoe (Kindergarten). Both native Chicagoans and CPS alums, Chrizzy and Hanam moved to Wildwood 6 years ago so their girls could be part of an awesome community, being a part of the PTO has helped make Wildwood a home. Chrizzy is an Accountant in the Financial Services industry and the role of Treasurer was a natural fit, but she is ready to help in any way she can. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling near and far with her family and being around good friends.
Barbara Eaman, Past President
After a few years of admiring Wildwood from a distance, Barbara, Rob (husband), Theo (7th grade) and Wyatt (5th grade) moved here in 2017. Barbara has a bachelor’s in Theatre, a master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine and an entirely unrelated career in finance. Parenting, work and PTO take up a lot of her time, but in her down time she enjoys reading, gardening, walking in the forest preserve, entertaining friends, and traveling. She joined the PTO to be more connected to Wildwood as a central part of her community and to use her skills to contributing to the school's success. Barbara is in her sixth year as a board member of the Friends of Wildwood PTO. She has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President.
After a few years of admiring Wildwood from a distance, Barbara, Rob (husband), Theo (7th grade) and Wyatt (5th grade) moved here in 2017. Barbara has a bachelor’s in Theatre, a master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine and an entirely unrelated career in finance. Parenting, work and PTO take up a lot of her time, but in her down time she enjoys reading, gardening, walking in the forest preserve, entertaining friends, and traveling. She joined the PTO to be more connected to Wildwood as a central part of her community and to use her skills to contributing to the school's success. Barbara is in her sixth year as a board member of the Friends of Wildwood PTO. She has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President.
Meghann Artes, General Board Member
Meghann and her husband Joe (Lyons) have lived in Wildwood with their three kids - Tate (5th grade), Jake (3rd grade) and Millie (1st grade) who all attend Wildwood School. Their family loves being part of the neighborhood and school community. Meghann is an associate dean and teaches animation and filmmaking at DePaul University. She loves making films, occasionally enjoys working out (but more often doesn’t), and never misses a chance to hunt for a hidden gem at a good flea market or antique shop.
Meghann and her husband Joe (Lyons) have lived in Wildwood with their three kids - Tate (5th grade), Jake (3rd grade) and Millie (1st grade) who all attend Wildwood School. Their family loves being part of the neighborhood and school community. Meghann is an associate dean and teaches animation and filmmaking at DePaul University. She loves making films, occasionally enjoys working out (but more often doesn’t), and never misses a chance to hunt for a hidden gem at a good flea market or antique shop.
Jeff Dragowski, General Board Member
Jeff and his wife, Meghan, settle near Wildwood in 2020. They have two daughters at the school - Grace (2nd grade) and Tess (Pre-K) - who inspire their commitment to the Wildwood community. Jeff values how Wildwood encourages every child to explore, play and dream, and in 2024 he joined the PTO to help ensure students hear "yes" more often than "no." Professionally, Jeff is a structural engineer with a master's degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, applying his passion for building strong foundations - both literal and figurative - to support Wildwood's growing learners.
Jeff and his wife, Meghan, settle near Wildwood in 2020. They have two daughters at the school - Grace (2nd grade) and Tess (Pre-K) - who inspire their commitment to the Wildwood community. Jeff values how Wildwood encourages every child to explore, play and dream, and in 2024 he joined the PTO to help ensure students hear "yes" more often than "no." Professionally, Jeff is a structural engineer with a master's degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, applying his passion for building strong foundations - both literal and figurative - to support Wildwood's growing learners.
Lucinda Fickel, General Board Member
Lucinda remembers considering Wildwood "I dunno, like practically Glenview?" when dispatched to visit from Hyde Park as a grad school intern and newly-minted Chicagoan. A decade later, she completed her northwesterly migration through the city, landing here in 2016 with her husband, Justin Miles. Their son Edison is in second grade, and it's Lucinda's second year on the board. Much of her career focused on policy and advocacy to improve outcomes for children, so wanting the best for all of Wildwood, CPS, and Chicago is a passion that runs deep. She is grateful for the opportunity to do a different version of that work, one raffle ticket at a time, in the community she treasures.
Lucinda remembers considering Wildwood "I dunno, like practically Glenview?" when dispatched to visit from Hyde Park as a grad school intern and newly-minted Chicagoan. A decade later, she completed her northwesterly migration through the city, landing here in 2016 with her husband, Justin Miles. Their son Edison is in second grade, and it's Lucinda's second year on the board. Much of her career focused on policy and advocacy to improve outcomes for children, so wanting the best for all of Wildwood, CPS, and Chicago is a passion that runs deep. She is grateful for the opportunity to do a different version of that work, one raffle ticket at a time, in the community she treasures.
Cristina Moravy, General Board Member
This is Cristina Moravy’s third year on the PTO. She and her husband, Leif, moved to Wildwood nine years ago. She loves the woods and small-town feel Wildwood provides, while remaining so close to the city. Her oldest, Simone, is starting 4th grade this year, while her son Axel will be entering 2nd grade. Cristina taught 4th grade before she started staying home with her children. She’s looking forward to helping the PTO provide lots of opportunities for the students and families of Wildwood to connect and have fun while raising money for school resources. She loves reading, traveling, and seeing live music.
This is Cristina Moravy’s third year on the PTO. She and her husband, Leif, moved to Wildwood nine years ago. She loves the woods and small-town feel Wildwood provides, while remaining so close to the city. Her oldest, Simone, is starting 4th grade this year, while her son Axel will be entering 2nd grade. Cristina taught 4th grade before she started staying home with her children. She’s looking forward to helping the PTO provide lots of opportunities for the students and families of Wildwood to connect and have fun while raising money for school resources. She loves reading, traveling, and seeing live music.
Katie Murphy, General Board Member
Katie is a Taft High School alumna. She and her husband, Andrew (Notre Dame HS), moved their kids and dog, Velma Dinkley, to Wildwood/North Edgebrook for the sense of community and Wildwood's IB curriculum. Katie has spent the past decade in the nonprofit sector and is currently the Database, Technology, and Advancement Services Manager for Harper College Educational Foundation. She joined the PTO to continue fueling her passion for education and making the world a better place, especially for kids. When not at home, Katie, Andrew, Finnegan (4th grade), Wyatt (Kindergarten), and Gideon (2 years-old) can be found in Disney or professional and little league sport games.
Katie is a Taft High School alumna. She and her husband, Andrew (Notre Dame HS), moved their kids and dog, Velma Dinkley, to Wildwood/North Edgebrook for the sense of community and Wildwood's IB curriculum. Katie has spent the past decade in the nonprofit sector and is currently the Database, Technology, and Advancement Services Manager for Harper College Educational Foundation. She joined the PTO to continue fueling her passion for education and making the world a better place, especially for kids. When not at home, Katie, Andrew, Finnegan (4th grade), Wyatt (Kindergarten), and Gideon (2 years-old) can be found in Disney or professional and little league sport games.
Colleen Phillips, General Board Member
Colleen and her husband, Mike, both grew up in Chicago and live in Norwood Park with their two children, Charlie (5th grade) and Natalie (Kindergarten). She is very excited to spend her first year on the PTO. She loves the school community and all the fun events. In her free time, she enjoys music, spending time with her family, reading, cooking, baking, running, and going for walks.
Colleen and her husband, Mike, both grew up in Chicago and live in Norwood Park with their two children, Charlie (5th grade) and Natalie (Kindergarten). She is very excited to spend her first year on the PTO. She loves the school community and all the fun events. In her free time, she enjoys music, spending time with her family, reading, cooking, baking, running, and going for walks.
M. Viviana Proano, General Board Member
Viviana & her husband, Matt, moved to Norwood Park in 2009. Having grown up in Arlington Heights & Champaign-Urbana, they wanted the quaint feel of a suburb while still living in the city. When it was time for their son Finn (2nd grade) to attend school, they learned the ins & outs of CPS & used the lottery system to access the best education possible. Wildwood has been an amazing school and thanks to the PTO, a community they can call home. They both believe in giving back as much as they receive and hope to do so by supporting the PTO.
Viviana & her husband, Matt, moved to Norwood Park in 2009. Having grown up in Arlington Heights & Champaign-Urbana, they wanted the quaint feel of a suburb while still living in the city. When it was time for their son Finn (2nd grade) to attend school, they learned the ins & outs of CPS & used the lottery system to access the best education possible. Wildwood has been an amazing school and thanks to the PTO, a community they can call home. They both believe in giving back as much as they receive and hope to do so by supporting the PTO.
Claire Schaul, General Board Member
Claire grew up in the area and has lived in Wildwood for 10 years with her husband, Ryan, and two kids. She has Dean, a 6th grader, and Mae, a 4th grader. Claire is a career-long marketer, currently leading marketing efforts for Humana. Claire loves the feeling of community in the school and neighborhood. The PTO events help bring the community together to have fun and make a better school for our kids. In her free time you’ll find her cooking, getting some exercise, or hanging out with friends and family.
Claire grew up in the area and has lived in Wildwood for 10 years with her husband, Ryan, and two kids. She has Dean, a 6th grader, and Mae, a 4th grader. Claire is a career-long marketer, currently leading marketing efforts for Humana. Claire loves the feeling of community in the school and neighborhood. The PTO events help bring the community together to have fun and make a better school for our kids. In her free time you’ll find her cooking, getting some exercise, or hanging out with friends and family.