Board Bios
John Budzynski, CPA
President
John Budzynski is the Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Illinois College of Optometry and its Illinois Eye Institute. He has 30 years of hands-on management, planning and leadership experience in privately held and not for profit organizations. Return to top
Suzanne Miller, Ph.D.
Vice President
Suzanne Miller, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist with a private practice on Chicago’s North Shore. She and her husband, Lee, have two children and live in Deerfield. Suzanne has been involved with the Guild since 2005, initially supporting Passionate Focus and then becoming a member of the board, serving on the development as well as executive committees.
“I have truly enjoyed being a part of The Guild for the Blind. Having a family member who is struggling with low vision and having been a teacher of children with visual impairments in the past, I realize the importance of an organization such as the Guild that provides services in a personal and caring way to those coping with vision loss. The individualized programs and dedicated staff at the Guild provide people with not only rehabilitation and career services, but hope and a new way of life for those adapting to vision loss.” Return to top
Dennis Wieczorek
Treasurer
Dennis Wieczorek is Partner/Co-Chair of the Franchise and Distribution Practice Group at DLA Piper. He has concentrated in U.S. and international franchising, licensing, antitrust and distribution law matters for over 25 years.
"I have family and friends that have been affected by vision loss and I have seen the impact it has had on their lives. I joined the board of the Guild as a way to give some of my time and energy to its important work." Return to top
Toria Emas
Secretary
Toria Emas is Administrative Director for The Chicago Bar Association where she oversees the office, human resources, facilities and food services. After serving on the Passionate Focus Planning Committee for five years, she is delighted to be able to contribute to the Guild for the Blind as a board member. She is trustee emeritus of the American Foundation for the blind. Toria and her husband, Bill, live in Lincoln Park.
Toria's exposure to vision loss began at Augustana College where she had a history professor who was blind. This experience sensitized her to the needs of people with vision loss and she was able to implement simple accommodations in the workplace to assist staff and members who have vision loss. "The Guild for the Blind's programming is vital to people with vision loss. These program give the individuals confidence to continue working and lead independent, productive lives." Return to top
Denise M. Brown
Board Member
Denise Brown operates Tad Publishing Co., based in Park Ridge, IL. Through her organization, Denise helps persons who care for an aging relative. Denise gives presentations and seminars about the care giving experience; created and maintains the Caregiving.com web site; and coaches family caregivers and professionals interested in working with family caregivers. She's the author of two books: "The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey" and "Take Comfort: Reflections of Hope for Caregivers."
"My work with the Guild is a natural extension of my work with family caregivers; the Guild provides important support and services for individuals with low vision as well as for their family members. I'm regularly impressed with the Guild's staff, all of whom have an amazing ability to impact clients and family members in very powerful ways. I'm thrilled to be a board member." Return to top
Brett Christenson
Board Member
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Tina M. Kuska
Board Member
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Sherrie Leonard
Board Member
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Sara Lynch
Board Member
Sara Lynch is a retired educator, working for the Chicago Public Schools for 34 years as a teacher and then as an administrator. She lives with her husband, Steven, in Chicago. Sara volunteers as a tutor for adults learning English as a second language and has been a hospice volunteer for many years. She enjoys reading, bicycling, traveling and learning.
Her father, William Lynch, was the Guild's founder more than 60 years ago. Sara's family has been involved with the the Guild in many facets ever since its inception. She looks forward to continuing to fulfill her father's legacy of being of service to those who are blind or visually impaired and to achieve the goals of an organization that is caring and committed to helping people with vision loss live productively and with dignity. Return to top
Kim Rice, CPA MST
Board Member
Kim Rice is a partner and co-founder of R&M Consulting LLC, a boutique tax and internal audit consulting firm serving companies in the Chicago area. Kim oversees the day-to-day operations at R&M and is primarily responsible for developing relationships and new business. In addition to Guild for the Blind, Kim also serves on several other professional organization and non-profit boards/committees including: Illinois CPA Society, The Chicago Tax Club, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the Lincoln Park Zoo.
"I am very impressed with the Guild's programs and staff and am excited to be part of an organization that is so committee to improving the lives of people with vision loss." Return to top
