RIVERWOODS, Ill. – The Center for Enriched Living (CEL), a non-profit organization headquartered in north suburban Riverwoods that enriches the lives of teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD), proudly announces that Fred Blitt, Ray Nair, and Mike Suchsland have been elected to its board of directors.

At CEL, people with IDD are part of a vibrant community with unlimited opportunities for social and recreational enrichment, jobs & job training, lifelong learning, and virtual programs.

“Our board of directors sustains the important work we do at CEL,” says CEO Harriet Levy. “I am grateful for their dedication and support as we connect people IDD to opportunities for friends, learning and enrichment. CEL’s board members serve as our philanthropic ambassadors, contributing their unique talents and skills to help us grow to meet the demands of the disability community. It’s always a proud moment when we bring on talented new leaders who have chosen to serve and support the CEL mission”

Fred Blitt of Northbrook is the Managing Partner of the law firm Blitt and Gates, PC. His own charity golf outing has been a source of support for CEL and this connection inspired Mr. Blitt to officially join the CEL Board. No stranger to fundraising and nonprofits, his experience with strategic planning and organizational leadership equips him with plenty of knowledge to share. His focus on building strong leaders who continually sharpen their skills will contribute to the excellence of CEL.

Ray Nair of Las Vegas, NV, is the Supply Chain Vice President for CDW, a long-time partner of CEL. He is a proven executive leader who is adept in many aspects of business, from sales and finance to operations and supply chain. His extensive strategic planning and organizational development experience are strengths he will bring to this role. His familiarity and pride in being associated with CEL, paired with a strong desire to make a difference in this community drew him to serve on the Board of Directors.

Mike Suchsland of Glencoe is the Principal at Joplin Consulting, LLC. His desire to help others find opportunities to succeed is what drove him to join the CEL Board. With years of experience as general manager of start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, Mike’s knowledge of organizational dynamics is invaluable.

Mr. Suchsland is eager to share his talents with CEL, saying, “I love CEL because of the positive interaction and fulfillment it brings to so many members who participate in our programs.  Their joy fuels a powerful optimism that is unmatched,”

CEL’s Executive Committee includes:

• President Joan Cannon of Highland Park, Executive Director of Scientific Communication & External Research at TerSera Therapeutics, Deerfield
• 1^st Vice President Sue Bersh of Deerfield, Vice President of Communications at AMLI Residential, Deerfield
• 2^nd Vice President Howard Diamond of Highland Park, Chief Strategy Officer of Rise Ineractive
• Secretary Lane Epstein of Northbrook, VP/Partner at Baker Construction Group, Inc., Chicago
• Treasurer Carolyn Kuperman of Lake Forest, Financial Executive
• Senior Advisor Kim Cysewski of Lincolnshire, Retired Executive

“People with IDD should be valued and involved members of our community with easy access to work, friendship, housing, enrichment, fun, and continued learning. That’s what we strive to provide at CEL. Some of our board members have someone close to them with a disability and some do not – but they all share a belief in and support of CEL’s mission,” said Levy

CEL Board Members:

• Tommy Baboulas, Ingram Micro
• Mark Bernstein, Akerman LLP
• Miriam Campbell, Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust
• Odette Christie, OEC2 Colutions
• Jeffrey Greenspan, Cozen O’Connor
• Mary Greanias, Horizon Therapeutics
• Deedra Darby Jones, PNC Bank
• Kristin Malek, CDW
• Vaughn Moore, AIT Worldwide Logistics
• Akash Pathak, Humana

For 55 years, the Center for Enriched Living has enriched the lives of people with IDD by maximizing their opportunities for personal success, fun & friendship, employment, and community involvement. CEL is accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). More information is available at www.CenterForEnrichedLiving.org.