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About Us

Our Board of Directors

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana consists of an amazing and generous group of people who support the organization with their time, knowledge, talent, experience, and philanthropy.


  • CHAIRWOMAN – CYNTHIA PRIETO

    Owner, The Branding Floor Room

  • VICE CHAIRWOMAN – HALLE BROOKS

    Compliance Manager, BP Whiting Refinery

  • SECRETARY - ADAM BARON

    Director of Facilities, Horseshoe Casino

  • TREASURER - KELLIE TAILLON

    Banking Center Manager, Peoples Bank

  • DEBBIE BACHMANN

    Administrator of Honors Student Leadership, Purdue University Northwest

  • ALEXIUS BARBER

    Public Affairs & Economic Development Manager, NIPSCO

  • ANTHONY GIAMMANCO

    General Manager, Gary SouthShore RailCats

  • STEVE KELLOGG

    Lieutenant, Hammond Indiana Police

  • KEVIN KEOUGH

    President, Keough Mechanical Corp.

  • KATHY O'DONNELL

    Franciscan Alliance

  • CATHARINE OLSEN

    Chief of Staff to Chancellor Holford, Purdue University Northwest

  • DEWEY PEARMAN

    Executive Director, Construction Advancement Foundation

  • BRIAN P. POPP

    Attorney, Laszlo & Popp, P.C.

  • DODY RUSSELL

    President, Bellsom Electric

  • GILBERT RYNBERK

    Northwest Indiana Market President, Wintrust Commercial Banking

  • KRIS SAKELARIS

    Executive Director, Hammond Legal Aid Clinic

  • JENNIFER VAVREK

    Educator, School City Of Hammond, retired

Emeritus Members

  • JAN RATAZZI

    Educator, Crown Point Community Schools, retired

  • HONORABLE ED SOLIDAY

    Indiana State Representative, District 4

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