Neighbors in the news: Federation of Indian Associations names new chairman
• For his many contributions and dedicated service to the Federation of Indian Associations of Chicago, Sunil Shah, founding president, was named chairman of the board during a virtual meeting of the community organization on Jan. 5.
The Federation of Indian Associations of Chicago is a nonprofit umbrella organization of other Indian Associations in the Midwest, representing more than 300,000 diverse but united Asian-Indians. The association celebrates various events that bring all Asian-Indians together for Indian Republic Day, Indian Independence Day and Diwali, and works with local, state and national agencies to protect the interests of all Asian-Indians in the fields of immigration, social welfare and business.
Mukesh Shah, a founding member of the Federation of Indian Associations of Chicago, nominated Shah for the title. The motion was seconded by Rita Singh, Neil Khot and Hitesh Gandhi, and then supported by Gurmeet Dhalwaan, Keerthi Reevori, Suresh Bodiwala, Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath, Ashwani Mahajan, Mir Ali, Abir Maru, Richa Chand, Pika Munshi, Neelam Jai and the entire team.
The motion was passed unanimously by a majority vote.
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Certified Public Accountant David Anderson was named chief financial officer for the Park Ridge-based American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. He will report to interim Chief Executive Officer David Hebert.
"With more than 25 years of experience leading financial and operational divisions, David is an innovative leader with a reputation for building strong, trusted relationships and demonstrated an ability to align business, financial and growth strategies," said Hebert.
"David's experience in creating and implementing programs and teams in a broad range of industries will add value to the organization, its employees, and its members."
Anderson was most recently regional finance controller for Renishaw Americas, a health care and machine tool engineering and manufacturing company. From 2001 to 2005, he was chief financial officer for the American Academy of Dermatology, and prior to that role, he was vice president of audit and control at Anicom, Inc.
He is member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and Institute of Internal Auditors.
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Waukegan to College, a nonprofit that assists and prepares first-generation Waukegan area students to enter and complete four-year college programs, welcomed Elizabeth J. Fales as director of Development and Community Engagement.
Fales, of Lindenhurst, previously worked in development outreach and fundraising for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Lake County in Vernon Hills and the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center in Gurnee.
"At Waukegan to College, our work uplifts students in a city that has experienced large shifts in demographics and economic losses for its families," said Fales. "The area schools do not have the resources to assist students with the challenging and nuanced path to college. At Waukegan to College, students and their families find the motivation, support and resources they need to reach higher and succeed to high school graduation and through college."
Fales holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Loyola University, Chicago.
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Amy Jacobs, a third grade language arts and social studies teacher at Science & Arts Academy, Des Plaines, has achieved National Board Certification as a Gifted Eduction Teacher, one of the most respected professional certifications available in education.
Candidates for National Board Certification invest several years in the rigorous certification process demonstrating understanding of their students, content knowledge, teaching practice and use of data and assessments.
"After receiving my master's degree from DePaul University, I was looking for a way to continue growing as an educator. When I found out that I could earn National Board Certification as a Gifted and Talented teacher, I was thrilled. It was the next step in my teaching journey," said Jacobs. "The rigorous work required for National Board Certification has helped me become a more accomplished and intuitive teacher. I could never have completed this challenge without the support of my colleagues or my students and their families."
Jacobs has taught for the past 20 years in both public and independent schools as a classroom teacher, a self-contained gifted teacher and as a gifted resource/support teacher.
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