Western DuPage Special Recreation Association announces staff promotions

Over the last few months, the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association has undergone an exciting realignment to better serve participants and families.

This realignment has led to new roles, responsibilities and opportunities. As a result, WDSRA is pleased to announce several staff promotions.

• Phil Eide has been named Athletics & Synergy Manager. In this newly created role, he will focus on enhancing and expanding athletic offerings in both our general sports and Synergy Adaptive Athletics programming. Bringing with him a genuine ability for building relationships with families and partners, he will be responsible for creating new opportunities for athletes and building collaborations both inside and outside of the agency.

Eide came to WDSRA in 2017 as an intern. Since then he has held positions as both Recreation Specialist and Athletics Supervisor. During that time, he has coached Special Olympics sports including flag football, floor hockey and basketball. His experience with adaptive sports includes coaching the boccia team, climbing with the climbing program and bringing awareness of wheelchair basketball to local schools. Additionally, he has made countless connections within and far beyond the athletics department.

• Maddy Manden moves from Inclusion Supervisor to Inclusion Manager. In her new role, Manden will oversee the management of the inclusion process including: evaluating and enhancing staff training materials, collaborating with member park districts and ensuring that WDSRA continues to be a leader in establishing best practices for inclusion services in a recreational setting. With her passion for inclusion and commitment to families, Manden will be focused on ensuring families are receiving the highest quality service.

Manden started her full-time journey with WDSRA 7 years ago. Since then she has been responsible for coordinating the day-to-day inclusion for families in the Naperville and Warrenville communities. Working closely with each family, seeing participants be as independent as possible and helping the staff learn how to support individuals continues to be highlights for her.

At Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, it is the people who make the difference!

The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association is a progressive organization that is focused on meeting the needs of both its communities and its employees in the best manner possible. They are building the culture through flexibility and work-life balance, a competitive benefits package, a supportive team environment, and a renewed focus on talent management.

They invite anyone interested in joining the team to learn more at www.wdsra.com/employment-volunteers/.