Belinda Basso
President
bbasso@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
I joined the KWCM Board in November 2016 and have had the pleasure to participate or Chair in the Annual Fundraiser Committee, Exhibits Committee, and other important committees that are moving the museum forward with exciting momentum! I currently work in Capital Markets at Northern Trust, and have been with Northern Trust in various positions for over 20 years. I moved to Frankfort in 2007 from Chicago with my husband and three energetic boys. I also lived in Frankfort briefly during high school back when there was only one Lincoln Way! My hobbies include travel, learning Italian, running, and spending time with my family, I joined the KWCM Board in order to give back, engage with my community, and promote Frankfort as a special place to live, work, and play! I am excited to see where the museum goes as we are endeavoring to make it extraordinary!
Marleen Thom
Vice President
mthom@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
I am a founding member of KidsWork Children’s Museum, I am part of the Exhibits committee for the museum and I do the purchasing for the MoJo Market at the museum. I grew up in Frankfort then attended college in Florida only to find my way back to begin my career as an educator and raise my family. I taught preschool and Kindergarten for 13 years in the Frankfort School District. Now, I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my four girls. I enjoy spending my free time traveling with my family, especially to the beach, and exploring everything our area has to offer. My hobbies are usually art related such as making shirts and other personalized items. Frankfort is wonderful place to live, work and play and I look forward continuing my role on the museum board.
Secretary
smachamer@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
I joined the KidsWork Board of Directors in 2019, I have nearly three decades of experience in the field of elementary education, working as a classroom teacher, a reading specialist, and a consultant supporting reading instruction in urban charter schools across the country. Currently, I serve as the literacy coach at Balmoral Elementary School in Crete, IL. I have lived in Frankfort since 2000 with my husband and three children. My hobbies include weight training, cooking, gardening, and reading. I am exited to be a part of the KidsWork family.
Laura Brannigan
Board Member
lbrannigan@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
I joined the KWCM board in January of 2020. I am an Early Childhood Education teacher, graduate of Illinois State University (Go Redbirds!) and have taught At-Risk preschool and first grade in my 11 years of teaching. I have taught in Frankfort 157-C School District for 8 years. I’m also a Special Olympics coach. My husband and I moved to Frankfort almost 3 years ago to stay close to our families and remain in the south suburbs where we both grew up. We have 3 incredible little boys and 2 of the silliest dogs around. I enjoy spending my free time with my family and keeping busy! We love spending time in Michigan, finding new parks to explore, going to the movies, bowling and enjoying the many activities that are always going on right here in our town. I am very excited to be a part of the KWCM family.
Cheryl Hamill
Treasurer
chamill@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
Elected to the Board in March 2018, I am one of the newest Board Members and have had the pleasure of participating on the Fundraising Committee and in many of the organized activities in which the Museum participates. I originally moved to Frankfort while in grade school and, like Ms. Basso, attended Lincoln Way High School when there was just one! I spent many wonderful years at the University of Iowa, first majoring in Biology and then going on, of course, to earn my law degree! I just celebrated my 24th anniversary with the AT&T Law Department. I lived in the City for many years and moved to Mokena in 2017 when my husband retired from the Chicago Fire Department. I always knew I would move back to give back. My clients are primarily based in New York and Boston and you will often find me extending my business trips to take advantage of the rich culture in those cities. In addition to my love of travel and theater, I enjoy biking, reading, puzzles and logging many miles and quality hours with my two best friends, Bogie and Scarlett. Oh, and retaining my title as Best Aunt Ever.
Sarah Burdick
Board Member
sburdick@kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org
I joined the KWCM Board in January 2022 because the children's museum in my hometown was a lifesaver for me when my children were small, and I want to ensure the young families of Frankfort enjoy a similar experience to mine. I am also a former city planner and want to support local businesses that bring people to the downtown Frankfort. I currently work as the Stewardship Manager for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary located in Hyde Park. I moved to Frankfort in 2017 from my hometown Durham, North Carolina because of my husband's career. My children are 25, 25, and 26 years old and have only lived in Frankfort during the pandemic shutdown. I serve on the Vestry at Grace Episcopal Church in New Lenox. I love to travel, read (sometimes I attend 3 book clubs in one month!), and watch my beloved Duke Blue Devils play basketball. I am also a reluctant runner and a terrible yet enthusiastic golfer.