Our Board of Directors brings a wide array or perspectives and expertise to Open Wings.
Larinda Becker, President
Larinda Becker is a Strategic Marketing consultant in the greater Chicago area. Prior to this, she was the Vice President of foodservice marketing for Solo Cup Company, where she was responsible for directing the marketing function in support of commercial foodservice products including segments, channels, forecasting and product management. Prior to joining Solo, Becker served as vice president of product and sectors for Diversey Inc. (now part of Sealer Air), a leading global provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene solutions for business, where she led marketing for North America. Previously, Becker was vice president of marketing and product development at Reynolds Packaging, a provider of food packaging products for foodservice organizations, food processors and supermarkets, where she was responsible for marketing and new product development.
Susan Ojala Myers, Vice President
Susan Ojala Myers holds a BA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. She performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as Momenta! Performing Arts Company before finding her true passion as a teacher. Susan has been working with dancers of all ages and abilities for over twenty years, and is proud to have earned her level two certification in Autism Movement Therapy in 2015. Besides teaching in the private dance studio world, she teaches AMT classes, and runs several outreach dance programs in Kenosha area schools. Susan’s professional goal to make the joy of dance accessible to all children led her to Open Wings. Her experience as a parent, challenged with finding the right learning environment for her own children, has made spreading awareness of this very special school a personal goal. Susan and her husband Eric live in the Kenosha area with their three children.
Anne Chianello, Secretary
Anne is a wife and mother of three. After graduating from Grand Valley State University, she worked as an activity director at a retirement home in Grand Rapids, MI. After moving to Kenosha, she worked at the American Red Cross as a program coordinator and then at Abbott Labs as a contract coordinator. She returned to school for her dental hygiene degree and thoroughly enjoys her work in that field! Anne’s enthusiasm for Open Wings began early on during the “idea” phase when her daughter attended pre-school with Dr. Hufferd-Ackles’ daughter, Ainsley. She has been a “cheerleader” since then and hopes that her presence on the board can help spread the word about the glorious work being done at Open Wings!
Rebecca Arnold
Rebecca Arnold earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and certification in Secondary Education from Saint Norbert College. After teaching middle school science in Kenosha Unified School District for five years, she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University. Her current role as District Instructional Technology Teacher Consultant allows Rebecca to research, develop and lead professional development sessions focused on best practices for teaching with technology.
Rebecca deeply understands the challenges of parenting a child with complex needs. Her oldest child, Raegan, struggles with both epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Rebecca experienced first-hand the powerful learning community at Open Wings as Raegan was one of the inaugural students. Rebecca is thrilled to support the Open Wings community as a board member.
Kimberly Hufferd-Ackles
Kimberly Hufferd-Ackles is the Executive Director at Open Wings Learning Community. She was most recently a school administrator at The Skokie School in Winnetka, Illinois. Kim received her PhD from Northwestern University in 1999. Her research interests focused on mathematics teaching and learning and the role of discourse in the implementation of mathematics educational reforms. Her dissertation work appears in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education. She enjoys working with teachers and helping them apply current research in education to their classes. She has also teaches mathematics methods at Northwestern to pre-service teachers in the Masters of Science in Education program. Dr. Hufferd-Ackles graduated with a BA in neurobiology and physiology, Phi Beta Kappa, from Northwestern University. Her MED was completed at Auburn University. In addition to being the mother to four young children, she is currently combining her passions for strong educational opportunities and school leadership with her experiences raising a daughter on the autism spectrum to found and direct Open Wings Learning Community.
Dina Perrine Meinzer
Dina Perrine-Meinzer is a lifelong resident of Kenosha WI, with a 4 year stint living in Scottsdale, AZ.
She is an alumi of St Joseph High School and attended Carthage College.
Dina worked for The Bear Real Estate Group as a Realtor, Sales Manager for Bear Homes & Designer for 14 years. She recently left Bear to pursue her dream of becoming an Entrepreneur and starting her own Construction Design Business. Her passion is in design, so helping people choose their colors/fit & finish for any remodel or new build is where her heart is at.
That isn’t all that holds a place close to her heart. Her hometown, where she holds great pride for being from this wonderful community. She hopes to help spread the word for Open Wings with her close connections.
A few of her favorite things in life are Golfing, Traveling, Designing anything & everything, working out & mostly being with her family.
Dina has been married to her husband Marcus since 2005 and is the proud mother of their son Beckett John.