Board & Executive Leadership

Current Board Members

Liana Grey, Founder, President & Executive Director 

Liana is an early childhood educator originally from the New York City metro area. She taught Pre-K at a public school and directed nonprofit educational programs, including a summer camp that brought children from diverse backgrounds together through cooking and community service. Liana has a Master’s degree in Childhood Education from Pace University and is certified to teach in multiple states.

Before moving to Glenview with her husband and identical twin boys, Liana was the teacher and director at Glacier Way Cooperative Preschool in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She worked with the parent board to develop an outdoor learning program that encouraged respect for people, plants, and animals. Liana loves the warm community spirit of cooperative schools, and is excited to bring nature-based co-ops to the Chicago area and to Atlanta, where she relocated with her family. In addition to leading the organization, Liana directs the Atlanta co-op.

Abigail Derby Lewis, Vice President

Dr. Abigail Derby Lewis is a Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Field Museum. She works in the Keller Science Action Center, a division dedicated to translating museum science into lasting results for conservation and cultural understanding. Abigail lives in Glenview with her husband and three boys and is a strong advocate for children having opportunities to experience the wonders and joy of nature-based learning.

Michelle Cabanilla, Director

Michelle and her family recently relocated to the Chicago area from Switzerland, where her three sons attended an all-outdoor preschool, walked most places, and spent meaningful time in nature. Michelle believes strongly that all young children should have the opportunity to engage in unstructured play and outdoor exploration. She supports our programs with her firsthand knowledge of Europe’s forest kindergartens.

Founding Board Members

Ann Angel, Programs Chair

Ann recently retired from education after 18 years of teaching primarily in the elementary grades. She has a strong background in childhood literacy and continues to research how young children acquire and develop written language. Each school year, Ann’s goal was to create a classroom environment based on understanding each student’s academic and emotional needs and the child’s cultural and developmental background.

Ann has a Master of Teaching degree from National Louis University. When her three adult children were growing up, Ann’s family spent summers in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. Wandering the mountains and playing in streams are some of her happiest memories. She hopes to share her love of nature and commitment to the environment with other families.

Amina Shareeff, Secretary

Amina is a design operations manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield. She grew up in India and has always been drawn to art and design. After graduating from design school, she worked at design firms in Dubai and India. She went on to London for her Master’s degree, and moved to Chicago in 2018. She is a new mom to an 18-month-old son and is drawn towards making education fun and unique in today’s technology-driven world.

Caryn Wilson, Treasurer

Caryn received her B.A in Psychology at the University of Arkansas in 2017. After graduation, she moved with her husband to Tulsa, OK and taught early childhood and elementary reading for three years. In this time they had their first son, Lewis, who is looking forward to attending Oak Leaf Coop when he is old enough!

Caryn and her husband are currently attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he is studying for a law degree and she is studying for a master’s degree in Higher Education. After they finish their degrees, the Wilsons will be moving to Chicago to further their careers in education and law. Caryn loves spending time outside with her family and finding new places for Lewis to explore and see more of the world!

Allie Dawson, General Board Member

Allie is a proud mama of two girls, ages 3 and 5 years old. She was an early childhood special education teacher for many years in Glenview before staying home with her two young girls these past few years.  During the pandemic she recognized the value of spending time in nature as often as possible for play, learning and exploration and is excited to share her love of nature-based learning with other parents and kids!