The Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity in August announced that Kristen Phelan Swiderski had been named the nonprofit’s Junior of the Year for 2021-22.
Phelan Swiderski has been an active contributor to the charity’s initiatives, from helping with events and launching one of its newest fundraiser, Brewfest. She also has nominated and vetted future board members and has recruited new members to the organization.
According to a press release from the Riverside Juniors announcing the honor, Phelan Swiderski “is an expert negotiator who secured in-kind donations for our events. She is always focused on cost savings so that we can maximize our contributions to the charities we support.”
Welcome aboard
Last month, the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo, announced the appointment of Kate Brueggemann as its new senior vice president of development, effective Sept. 15.
Her appointment completes an extensive search for a successor to Cindy Zeigler, who led philanthropic and development efforts and spearheaded significant changes in the fundraising program over the past 14 years.
Brueggemann began her fundraising career as the development director at the Missouri History Museum in 2011. Since that time, she held the principal giving director position at the Missouri Botanical Garden and, most recently, was the vice president of development for the Adler Planetarium.
In her new role at Brookfield Zoo, she will oversee efforts to raise mission, capital, and annual funds through individual giving, foundations, grants, corporate gifts, government contributions, special events, the society’s membership program and more.
On campus
Kylee D. Hernandez, of Brookfield, was among those graduating from Wheaton College in May. Hernandez was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations.
Kevin J. Lizik, of Brookfield, was among the 626 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska during a commencement ceremony on Aug. 13 at Pinnacle Bank Area in Lincoln. Lizik earned a Bachelor of Science degree
Christian Gatsos, of Brookfield, was named to the 2022 spring semester dean’s list at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington for earning a semester grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale.
Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park has announced that Brookfield resident Michael Feng, who graduated in May, and Riverside resident Elizabeth Selover, a member of the Class of 2023, were named AP Scholars in 2022 for their performance on Advanced Placement exams.
Feng was named an AP Scholar with Distinction for earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on at least five exams. Selover was named an AP Scholar with Honors for earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams and scores of 3 or higher on at least four exams.
