Chris Dickerson, Chair, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2007. He is a partner in the corporate restructuring department of DLA Piper LLP (US) and he holds a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, a M.A. from Georgetown and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Dickerson and his wife, Karen, have four daughters, all of whom are Quest Academy graduates or are currently attending Quest Academy (Classes of 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2017).
Mary Lynn Bernacchi, Vice-Chair, first served as a member of Quest's Board of Trustees for nine years ending in May 2008; she began her current term in June, 2009. She is vice-chair of the Board, chairs the Head Support and Evaluation Committee, and serves on the Committee on Trustees. She has previously served on Quest's PSA Board, worked with the faculty committee to launch Quest's Character Education Program, and was a member of Quest's last two ISACS accreditation committees. Mary Lynn has a B.A. in Psychology from DePauw University. She and her husband Jeff have two children who are alumni of Quest Academy; one attending DePauw University and one at St.Olaf College.
Ann Greenstein, Secretary, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2009. She is a proud parent of Quest alumni Sarah (2007) and Max (2010) Farbman. Ann has a B.A. from Boston University and an M.F.A. from Northwestern University. Ann has professional experience in the management of non-profit organizations. She resides in Arlington Heights, IL, with her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Farbman and their son, Max. Her daughter, Sarah, is a freshman at Grinnell College.
Michael Helminski, Treasuer, is Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Sargent & Lundy, a worldwide leader in professional services for the electric power industry. He is a Registered Professional Engineer, a Registered Patent Attorney, and a member of the Bar in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mike received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, his MBA from Loyola University Chicago, and his JD from Chicago – Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. Mike serves as a member of the Finance Committee. He and his wife Janet, have three sons attending Quest Academy.
Barbara Benedix taught all grades K-8 for the Chicago Public schools. Most of her 22 year career was spent teaching math to 7th and 8th students. She also coached Math Counts and Scholastic Bowl teams. She is the mother of three sons and grandmother of four boys. She has served as Cub Scout Den mother, PTA President and treasurer of her church foundation. Her favorite activities are international travel and reading foreign intrigue novels.
Jeremy Clorfene, Ph.D. is a licensed practicing clinical psychologist, specializing in health psychology and psychotherapy. In addition to his private practice, he is the Director of Psychological Services for the Advocate Condell Medical Center Obesity Treatment Program and he co-authored “The No Bull Book on Heart Disease: Real Answers to Winning Back your Heart and Health,” Sterling Publishing, 2009. He has served on the Board of Trustees since May, 2011. Jeremy and his wife Dana live in Hawthorn Woods, IL, and their three children attend Quest Academy.
Gregg George is Director and Senior Vice President of Cedar Street Advisors. A graduate of Boston College, Gregg earned a bachelor of science degree in political science and then earned a juris doctorate degree from DePaul College of Law and a master of law degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law. Gregg also serves as president of the board of directors of Cedar Street Charitable Foundation.
He and his wife Laura have two children who attend Quest Academy.
Curtis Maas
Steve Mack
William Markey is President of RCBG, an advisory services firm. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2009, and currently chairs the Development Committee. William has supported Chicago-area admissions, business networks, and capital campaigns for his alma maters Georgetown, Columbia and Johns Hopkins universities. He was previously a committee member of Friends of Conservation, a wildlife education non-profit, and supports the Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited. William and his wife Joyce live in Glen Ellyn, IL, and their two daughters attend Quest Academy.
Carleen O'Brien has served as a trustee since 2009. Previous volunteer service to Quest has included Room Parent, Library, Book Fair, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader and the Night of All Knights annual auction including two years as Co-Chair. She holds a B.A. from St. Norbert College. Before having children, Carleen worked as a Business Manager in TV and Radio production for DDB Chicago, an advertising agency. She and her husband Tom have three children currently attending Quest Academy.
Luke Praxmarer is the father of two Quest Academy alumni, one of whom is now a high school math teacher and the other an officer in the US Navy. Luke has had two stints as a trustee, first in 1997-2003 and then rejoining the Board in 2006. He has served on or chaired every committee at Quest, but has always been on the Development Committee, chairing it from 2006-2010. He also served on the board of Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights, IL, chairing the board in 1996-1997. Luke is President and part owner of Corkill Insurance, an independent insurance agency in Elk Grove Village. As an insurance agent, Luke served as association President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois in 2009-2010. Luke is perhaps best known, however, for his award-winning organically grown tomatoes in his suburban garden. He has a B.S. from DePaul University and resides with his wife Carol in Palatine, IL.
Angela Ray is "First Lady" of Elmhurst College, a role where she supports her husband Alan in fulfilling his social duties as President of the College. She has had extensive fundraising experience in higher education and independent schools including Harvard University (Director of Major Gifts, Medical School; Director of Development and External Relations, Native American Program; Director of Annual and Planned Giving, School of Education); MIT; and Pingree School (Director of Development and External Relations). She received her A.B. cum laude from Wheaton College (MA); a graduate certificate in management (C.A.S.) from Radcliffe College; and an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition to her service at Elmhurst College, Angela volunteers at the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry, a non-profit organization in Elmhurst that provides emergency relief to individuals and families in need. She and Alan are the parents of three children, all of whom attend Quest Academy.
Anne Reader
Sivakami Thayu, joined Internal Medicine Associates, S.C. in 2003 after completing the combined Primary Care/Internal Medicine training program at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center/Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Thayu is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She received her M.D. degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, after completing her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania. When not attending to the demands of her growing practice, Dr. Thayu enjoys tennis, reading, cooking, travel and spending time with her family.
Benjamin Hebebrand, Head of School, Trustee Ex Officio
Joan Franklin Smutny,Trustee Emeritus