Welcoming New Highland Park Community Foundation Board Member Caroline Mead and Senior Director Eric Zoberman

The committed Board and dedicated staff of the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) propel the work that is done year-round to raise awareness about the Foundation and funds we need to support our grants and provide critical funding for nonprofits that address unmet needs in our community. As our presence in Highland Park and Highwood continues to grow, so too does our team. With great excitement, we recently welcomed Caroline Mead as our newest Board member and Eric Zoberman to our staff.

Caroline Mead was raised in the suburbs of Kansas City and moved to Highwood with her wife Piper in the summer of 2013, where they continue to make their home with their two sons. "There are so many things that individuals in Highwood and Highland Park do to celebrate each other, to look out for one another. This community has inspired me to become involved with the HPCF."

Seeing how the Community Foundation has made a difference over the past three decades, she wanted to be a part of a "local organization that makes our community special, and that makes it what it is. The Foundation has been around long enough to establish itself as an entity that can make an impact, and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of it."

"We are delighted to welcome Caroline as the newest member of our Board," said HPCF Board Chair, Betsy Brint. "With her experience and commitment to community organization and planning, as well as her background in renewable energy, we look forward to having her insight and talent on our devoted Board."

With 14 years in the renewable energy industry, Mead hopes to bring a "green lens" to the HPCF. Her background in this field positions her to bring this perspective to existing projects and events, as well as to the future of the Foundation. Additionally, as a member of the Highwood Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as Celebrate Highwood, Mead has helped shape the future of the town for decades to come. Her continued commitment to ensuring a better future for the next generations makes the HPCF proud to welcome Caroline to the Board.

Eric Zoberman has been named Senior Director of the HPCF. He brings with him an extensive background in nonprofit fundraising and volunteer management and will work closely with HPCF Executive Director Terri Olian to communicate the HPCF's vision and story, fundraise, and partner with donors.

"We are thrilled to welcome Eric to our small but mighty staff. We appreciate his considerable experience working with community organizations, and the collaborative and energetic approach he brings to his work. With his clear passion for community engagement and philanthropy at a local level, he will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation,"; stated Terri.

Zoberman grew up in Northbrook and moved to Highland Park in January 2020, shortly before the pandemic began. "We had a crash course in what it means to live in a community of people who support each other in uncertain times." This community spirit, along with a lifelong passion for philanthropy and giving back, motivated him to join HPCF's Associate Leadership Council and work with local rising leaders to provide philanthropic channels that are accessible to all residents.

"I have always been guided by the belief that neighbors are uniquely positioned to help neighbors. I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to help move the organization - and the community it serves - forward."

Zoberman has a long history of inspiring young people to get involved in their community and of connecting philanthropic organizations with the communities they serve through his work as the Managing Director at Precision Giving and as Director of Volunteer Services for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

He also managed the Foundation's yard sign distribution efforts in the immediate aftermath of the July 4th tragedy. By quickly building and mobilizing a coalition of stakeholders, he helped provide a pathway for all community members to show their support. He plans to draw on these experiences to achieve similar goals within the Highland Park and Highwood community.

With their backgrounds, community mindedness, and giving spirits, we know Caroline and Eric will help us achieve our vision of an inclusive, well-rounded, and vibrant community where residents' lives are enriched through our philanthropic efforts. We are honored to have them on our team.