WHO
WE ARE
Oak Leaf Cooperative School was founded in September 2021 by a group of parents and educators. Our directors and officers manage the nonprofit infrastructure that supports our co-ops.
Board Members & Executive Leadership.
Liana Grey
Founder, President, Executive Director
Abigail Derby Lewis
Vice President
Michelle Cabanilla
Secretary
Liana is an early childhood educator originally from the New York City metro area. She taught Pre-K at a public school and directed nonprofit educational programs, including a summer camp that brought children from diverse backgrounds together through cooking and community service.
Liana has a Master’s degree in Childhood Education from Pace University and is certified to teach in multiple states.
Before moving to Glenview with her husband and identical twin boys, Liana was the teacher and director at Glacier Way Cooperative Preschool in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She worked with the parent board to develop an outdoor learning program that encouraged respect for people, plants, and animals.
Liana loves the warm community spirit of cooperative schools and is excited to bring nature-based co-ops to the Chicago area and to Atlanta, where she relocated with her family. In addition to leading the organization, Liana directs the Little Oak Co-op in Atlanta.
Dr. Abigail Derby Lewis is a Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Field Museum. She works in the Keller Science Action Center, a division dedicated to translating museum science into lasting results for conservation and cultural understanding. Abigail lives in Glenview with her husband and three boys and is a strong advocate for children having opportunities to experience the wonders and joy of nature-based learning.
Alicia Boemi
Deputy Director, Northwest Chair
Alicia is a parent, children’s book author, and advocate for nature-based education in Chicago's northwest suburbs.
In the fall of 2022, Alicia commuted nearly 90 minutes round trip to attend Oak Leaf's parent-child classes in Winnetka, IL. A discussion with Alicia sparked an idea: why not bring Oak Leaf programming to Barrington, and surrounding towns, where nature-based early childhood programs are greatly needed?
Alicia spearheaded efforts to open the Northwest Nature Preschool, learning pod, and enrichment programs in Barrington. Alicia is also Oak Leaf's Deputy Director, managing social media/marketing, fundraising, grant writing, and internal operations. Alicia holds a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in non-profit management.
Michelle and her family recently relocated to the Chicago area from Switzerland, where her three sons attended an all-outdoor preschool, walked most places, and spent meaningful time in nature. Michelle believes strongly that all young children should have the opportunity to engage in unstructured play and outdoor exploration. She supports our programs with her firsthand knowledge of Europe's forest kindergartens.
Lindsey Muse
Treasurer
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Lindsey is a former CPA and has worked as an accountant for nonprofits and an accounting firm. She is now a full-time homeschooling parent active in building Oak Leaf's programs in the Atlanta area.