The Board of Directors
Kate Serdar joined the Haven board in 2020 and stepped into the role of President in 2024. Kate’s involvement as an LCH volunteer, however, began in 2000. Kate has been donating her time and skills to the Haven in a variety of ways over the years. She is a woman of many talents. Kate provided her fix-it skills to many projects at our properties…earning her the title “Handywoman Kate!” When things break down at our shelters, we need help fast, and Kate always moved mountains to be there for us. Kate works as an Emergency Room manager and she has a masters degree in nursing and an MBA. Kate lives in Wauconda with her wife and two children.
Steve Koivisto joined the board in 2020 and became our Vice-President in 2024. Prior to that, Steve volunteered as our one-man IT department. Steve has donated hundreds of hours of professional IT services to LCH. When he’s not volunteering, Steve is the Senior Director of IT at Amgen where he leads teams of infrastructure, cybersecurity, and service delivery. Steve holds a BS degrees in computer systems networking. Steve is from McHenry, but he moved to Lake County in 2010. Steve lives in Lake Villa with his wife Andrea and two small children: Aria and Grant. In his spare time, Steve enjoys golf and home improvement projects. Steve was driven to help at LCH through his empathy for single mothers and the difficulties they face.
Laura Hoult joined the Board in 2022, and became our Treasurer in 2024. Even before joining the board, Laura had already been a Haven supporter for many years. Laura is well known in Libertyville as Dr. Brown, owner and veterinarian at Greentree Animal Hospital. She received her veterinary training at the University of Illinois, but then work opportunities brought her out to California and Idaho before she eventually returned to Illinois. Laura feels great empathy for the women and children who find themselves homeless, and she is passionate about helping them find the opportunities to live the life they deserve. Laura and her husband are empty-nesters in Libertyville, but they see their daughters Sara and Clare whenever possible.
Tera McBlaine joined the board in 2023 and became the Secretary in 2024. Tera wanted to deepen her involvement with LCH after volunteering for the agency’s galas for many years. Tera is an aerial and circus arts studio owner and instructor. She is passionate about wellness, fun, and community creation. Tera has a Bachelors degree in Anthropology and a Masters in Exercise Science… and has attended Circus School! When she is not working on her PhD in Kinesiology or teaching circus arts, Tera likes to pour her energy into making positive changes in the world. She loves volunteering at LCH where she can feel she is having a direct, positive impact on local women and children in need.
Angelo Franchi joined the Lake County Haven board in 2021. Angelo was born in Chicago and then grew up in Bensenville. Angelo currently lives in Spring Grove with his wife of more than thirty years. He has an MBA from Olivet Nazarene University and has been in various finance roles for over 20 years. Angelo enjoys being of service to others and has a special place in his heart for women and children who are struggling in life. It makes Angelo happy to see other people smile and be happy.
Geoffrey Luce joined the Lake County Haven board in 2020. Geoffrey was introduced to LCH through his volunteer work as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. Geoffrey lives in Lake Forest with his wife of more than thirty years, Laura, as well as their two dogs and two cats. They also have two grown children, Miranda and Jonathon. Geoffrey recently retired from working on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for over thirty years. He is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University and has an MBA from University of Chicago and a MSc from the London School of Economics. Geoffrey believes strongly that we should all help each other when we can, and that is what drives him to help the residents of LCH.
Susan Milanak joined the board in 2024.
Tara Nofziger joined the board in 2023 after spending many years volunteering at LCH in a variety of ways. Tara hails from a small town in Michigan and moved to Chicago in 1999. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Michigan State and a Masters degree in Organizational Development from Loyola. Tara works in Human Resources and has spent much of her career at various medical device companies. Currently, Tara works at Hollister Incorporated in Libertyville. After spending a decade helping her ailing mother, Tara decided to put her energy into helping other women, and then discovered LCH. The Haven’s mission really appealed to Tara, and she has been passionately committed to the organization ever since.
David Styler joined the board in 2024.
The Staff
Laura Sabino is the Executive Director of the Lake County Haven and has served in that capacity for over 25 years. Laura earned her BA from the University of Colorado/Boulder and her MA at Ohio State. Laura’s career in women’s services began in 1985 when she began counseling women on a crisis-line. She has since worked as a program director, volunteer coordinator, case manager, counselor, and workshop leader. She has worked as a nonprofit manager since 1994, most of that time being an executive director. Her work has concentrated in the areas of mental health, addiction, domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness. Laura has earned certificates in financial management, fundraising, and conflict resolution. Laura will tell anyone who will listen that there is no place like the Haven. She sees every day that the residents work from dawn to dusk to try to become independent again. She considers it an honor to work on their behalf. Laura enjoys reading, making music and enjoying nature.
Kate Ceithaml is the Philanthropy Coordinator at the Lake County Haven. For the first four years of her tenure at the Haven, Kate served as a Case Manager. Kate had a tremendous positive impact on our residents. So we were very sorry to see her leave after the birth of her son, Aidan. But we couldn’t be happier that she has re-joined us, in 2012, this time working on community outreach and fundraising. Kate is from Lake County and was drawn to the Haven due to its mission of helping women to become independent. She earned her BA from Purdue University with a major in Psychology. Kate spends her free time with her husband and their son. She enjoys reading and being outdoors.
Kalie Schultz is the Development Coordinator at Lake County Haven. Kalie grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MInnesota and has lived in Seattle, Washington and Montpellier, France. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Kalie pursued a career in events; planning weddings and large parties and then moved on to the corporate event sphere. Kalie knew she had a different calling which led her to the non-profit realm and ultimately, Lake County Haven. Kalie lives in Lake Zurich with her husband and two sons. She enjoys biking, gardening, healthy cooking, and traveling.
Jeff Lyall is our Volunteer & Resource Coordinator. Jeff graduated with a B.A. in Economics and French from the State University New York and a Degré Supérieur from the Sorbonne University in Paris. Jeff began full time work at the Haven in 2020. Jeff enjoys his job, connecting people in the community with ways they can help homeless women and children. Jeff is passionate about improving the planet, the human condition, and animal rights. He currently shares his life with a black and white cat named Augie which he rescued, abandoned, from a forest preserve.
Dave Numerowski is our Property Manager. Dave was born in Chicago but was raised in a variety of nearby suburbs. He earned his college degree in communications from DePaul University. He worked for twenty-five years in the field of information technology. He is also a licensed real estate broker. His real passion is in the field of property management. It brings him back to his roots as that was his family of origin’s business. Eventually Dave left the corporate world in order to do the work he loves for a cause that he loves. He enjoys making our shelters and homes beautiful, functional places for the women and children of the Haven to live in. In his free time, Dave like reading, traveling, and spending time with his family, especially his wife Amanda and son Mack.
Rachel Ruksakiati is our Accountant. Rachel grew up in New Jersey and then went to Indiana University to get a degree in accounting. She is a CPA and worked in public accounting and as a controller. Rachel’s first professional job was in Chicago, and that is how she came to live in the area. Rachel is married, lives in Buffalo Grove, and has three adult children. She loves exercising, hiking, traveling, visiting with friends, and making delicious chocolate desserts. Rachel also loves working at the Haven. She likes knowing that together we are helping women succeed and have a fulfilling life.
Elin Davies is our Administrative Assistant. Elin hails from Elmhurst, but currently resides in Grayslake with her husband and Labradoodle. She has three children who are now independent adults. Elin has many years of experience working in office settings. She also has a floral design certificate and has worked in several floral shops where she designed arrangements for many different occasions. Elin is drawn to work where she can help people, either directly or indirectly. She especially loves to hear about our clients’ success stories. In her free time, Elin enjoys gardening, painting furniture, and visiting family in sunny Florida.
Sharon Jones is the Program Coordinator at the Lake County Haven. She has an Applied Sciences degree in social work with a specialization in substance abuse counseling (CADC). Having once been a resident in our shelter, Sharon knows the Haven program inside and out. Sharon had become homeless due to an addiction, but she has now been in recovery since 2004. Originally from the western suburbs, Sharon now lives in Lake County. She is the proud mother of 3 beautiful children. Sharon loves helping the women and children of the Haven transcend their current struggles to enjoy the life that lies ahead.
Julia Dimitriou is a Counselor/Case Manager at LCH. Julia is a successful graduate of Lake County Haven and has been sober since February 2016. Julia attributes the wonderful life she has now to the Haven. Her experience in homelessness and addiction inspired her to become a counselor so she may help others as she had been helped. Julia lives in Grayslake with her husband, two boys and their dog, Duncan. Julia loves to sing and dance, so much so that she is a member of the CLC Chamber Chorus and she can frequently be found doing Zumba and Werq classes at the gym. She even teaches LCH residents Zumba twice per week!
Rebecca Victor is a Counselor/Case Manager at LCH. She has a BA in Sociology and an MA in Counseling from Adler University. She is currently working toward her LPC credential. Rebecca started at LCH in 2021 as an intern, and immediately fell in love with our mission, our community, and the people we serve. She worked part-time for LCH after her internship was completed and then was hired for a full-time position in 2023. Rebecca is passionate about helping our residents find their own strength and transcend the trauma they have experienced.
Crystal Fox is a Counselor/Case Manager at LCH. Crystal came to LCH as an intern in 2021. At the time she was earning a dual masters in forensic mental health and counseling at Adler University. She has since completed that degree and earned her LPC credential. Crystal was hired as a full-time C/CM in 2023. Crystal feels compelled to do this work… finding great satisfaction in being that nonjudgemental, fully-present, trusted person that each of our residents can count on. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys gymnastics, baking, and exploring new places.
Tania Cisneroz is a Counselor/Case Manager at LCH. Tania joined our team in 2023 after completing her Associates in Social Work from Eastern Gateway College. Tania knew she wanted to help people who are struggling, which she does every day at the Haven. Tania helps our residents relax by using her sense of humor and always-available smile. She greatly enjoys her work at LCH and the relationships that she builds daily. Tania is the mother to a beloved daughter and is reminded daily how precious life is.
Sharon Halbert is a Counselor at Lake County Haven. Sharon was a Site Supervisor for over 20 years before transitioning to this role. During the week, Sharon works in customer service for a mortgage institution, but during the weekends she makes sure that everything runs smoothly at one of our shelters and provides support and guidance to our residents. As a former client of our program, and as a woman in recovery, Sharon is an excellent role model for the residents of the Haven. Sharon states that she shares the Haven’s philosophy that each and every woman can create a life that is healthy, independent, and fulfilling.
Lisamarie Keskar is a Counselor. Lisamarie came to LCH as an intern, and, as she likes to say it, ‘won’t leave.’ Well, we don’t want her to! Lisamarie brings a wealth of experience and education to the table. She has many years of experience working in the field of homelessness. She earned an Associates degree in addiction counseling as well as a Masters degree in divinity. She also has a certificate in trauma counseling. Lisamarie is passionate about helping women identify their challenges and find creative ways to transcend them. She lives with two adorable cats. She enjoys reading, cooking, singing, drumming, and gardening. And she plays in the CLC concert band.
Wendy Mabbett is a Counselor and Group Facilitator. Wendy was born and raised in Waukegan. She has worked as a counselor for more than eighteen years. She has an Associates degree and a CADC. Wendy is passionate about helping others in the way that she was helped herself. She has over nineteen years of sobriety. In 2020 Wendy and her husband moved to Tennessee to live on a beautiful lake, and they have never looked back. Wendy still provides services at LCH via the internet and phone. In her free time Wendy likes to volunteer, practice yoga, go boating, fish, and generally be in nature.
Bruce LeBlanc is a Group Facilitator. A committed learner, Bruce holds an array of masters degrees and a PhD. He is also an ordained member of the clergy. Bruce facilitates groups for the Haven residents… usually focusing on recovery and spirituality. He strives to create content that is positive and affirming while also being challenging. Bruce relocated to Portland with his husband. They like to enjoy all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, especially the local jazz scene.
Meghan Chamberlain is a Group Facilitator and Project Manager. Meghan grew up in Lake County but currently lives in McHenry with her partner and two children. She earned a BA in Counseling Psychology at North Park University, and she is currently working toward her Masters in Social Work from Aurora University. Meghan’s professional history includes working with adults and children experiencing mental health issues, domestic violence, and homelessness. It is a great passion of hers to continue this work, which is why she loves working at the Haven. Meghan also loves to spend time with family and friends, enjoys being outside and feeling the sun on her back, and loves visiting her mom in the Montana wilderness.
Missy Ivarone is a Group Facilitator at the Haven. Missy earned her Masters of Social Work from Loyola University and is currently working toward obtaining her CADC. Missy is known for her excellent clinical skills which she puts to use every day that she spends at LCH. Missy is well known for her warmth, pragmatism, and sense of humor. Missy has always been passionate about helping others and truly believes that anyone can create a meaningful life with support, guidance, and compassion. Missy is the proud mother of two children and adores animals. Missy enjoys camping, walks, beaches, lakes, hiking and dancing in the rain.
Barbara McCarty is a Site Supervisor II at the Haven, and has been for 25 years. Barbara makes sure that the shelter environment is orderly and calm during her shifts. Having once been a resident of our program, Barbara can assure our current residents that there is a way out of homelessness. Having survived domestic violence, and being in recovery from addiction since 1997, Barbara has ‘walked a mile’ in the footsteps of our clients. She is a constant source of guidance and inspiration for them.
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