In addition to our daily leadership team, we have a group of experienced, knowledgeable individuals working to make the Weiss Scholarship Foundation a success in helping children receive a quality education and by guiding our generous patrons with how to sponsor a child in Kenya.
Brett Weiss
A retired high school social studies teacher, Brett has five years’ experience running a social services organization and 22 years in the software business. A trip to Dago in 2009 left Brett feeling compelled to encourage positive change in an otherwise poor village. Two years later, the Weiss Scholarship Foundation was created in memory of his parents Bernard and Elsie. Brett is a member of The Rotary Club of Naperville (IL). He and his wife Chris have two adult children, Amber and Gabe, daughter in-law Sara and two grandchildren, Collin and Lily.
Warren “Bunny” Weiss
Warren, more commonly known as “Bunny”, thrives on seeking out and uncovering early emerging technology winners. He remains a General Partner at Foundation Capital (where he is no longer making new investments). He currently serves on the boards of Orkus, ForgeRock, Visier, Moxie Software, SilkRoad Technology, . http://www.cipertrace.com/, and http://www.solo.to/. He was named to the Forbes Midas List of Technology’s Top Investors for his work with SilverSpring Networks. Bunny is a four time CEO of venture backed companies, and worked with “Steve Jobs at Next Software.
Lee Mandel
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Accounting, Lee worked for the IRS as an auditor. He went on to hold several other positions throughout his career prior to opening his own practice. Lee has served on boards for several organizations, ranging from privately-held businesses to non-profit organizations. A popular lecturer and speaker, Lee uses humor to teach valuable principles to his audiences. He is also a musician and an artist. Lee has been a guitarist in rock ‘n’ roll bands and currently spends his days off as a landscape artist.
Robin Zvonek
Robin is the CEO and founder of Paragraphs LLC and is a specialist in marketing, branding, corporate identity and organizational optimization. Her ability to create unique business strategy solutions and align them with inventive brand development has been the foundation for over 30 years of successful brand launches and global recognition—winning over 1,500 awards. Clients include both Fortune 100 and non-profits. In her free time Robin is a photographer and a glass artist.
John Knobloch
John F. Knobloch is the founder of The Knobloch Law Firm (Naperville, IL). He runs a general practice law firm with concentrations in real estate law and estate planning. A resident of Naperville since 1969, John is a graduate of Benet Academy and Benedictine University, thereafter earning his law degree from Loyola University Chicago. He has served 18 years on the Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association and as a committee chairman for several DuPage County Bar Association committees. John has over 20 years’ experience serving as a member of various boards.
Susan Kigamwa
After several years working in corporate Africa, Susan Kigamwa came to the United States 10 years ago from Kenya and started a new career in fundraising and alumni relations. For the last five years she has served at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Susan has an MBA (USIU-Africa) and a Masters’ in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is passionate about her faith, education and supporting underprivileged communities. Susan and her husband, James, have two daughters and live in East Granby, CT
Gene Trainor
Gene Trainor is passionate about, and a strong advocate for, education, particularly for students underrepresented in higher education. After an extensive operating career as COO for venture capital and asset management firms, Gene taught middle school math in underserved communities in San Francisco, both in public and parochial schools for 5 years. Gene received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Health Science & Policy and minors in Accounting and Finance from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, an MBA from Loyola University, and a Teaching Credential in Math from San Francisco State University. He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for more than 30 years and have two daughters, a son-in-law and one granddaughter.