Meet the Board

About Us

Neepa Patel

President

Eric Hoberman

Vice President

Jennifer Seitz

Treasurer

Jessica Westhoff

Secretary

Jonathan Novy

Laura Coy

Robert Verigan

Vince Menees

Zach Wasilew

Bob Hoellen

Honorary Director

Barbara La Piana

Associate Director

Dana Weed

Associate Director

About Us

Neepa Patel

Vice President

Neepa Patel is the Chief Growth Officer at IPG, a healthcare services company. Over the past 20 years, she has held a variety of leadership roles, including corporate strategy, business development and operations with growth stage and established healthcare organizations. Neepa graduated from Duke University and earned a graduate degree from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Manish, have two children at NPES—Mili (‘24) and Ojas (‘25).

Eric Hoberman

Eric Hoberman and his wife, Kelly, have been a part of the NPES community since 2010. Their daughter, Samantha, is part of the class of 2019 and Sarah is in the class of 2024. Eric has worked in real estate development in Chicago for the past 20 years and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of M. Fishman & Company, a real estate development and property management firm. Over his career he has overseen the acquisition, financing, construction/renovation, and management of dozens of properties in Chicago. He brings his experience of property and facilities management to the board to help us maintain our current facility and his development and construction experience to help us with future expansion.

Jennifer Seitz

Jennifer Seitz and her husband, Herb, have three children at North Park: Ethan(‘19), Ella(‘21), and Charlotte(‘25). Jennifer has 10 years of experience in accounting, financial planning and analysis, and forecasting. She has spent the last 5 years in a variety of volunteer roles at NPES and developing relationships with the teachers and staff. She will use her past work experience and knowledge of the school to help drive the school's mission and continue to meet our goals for growth and development.

Jessica Westhoff

Secretary

Jessica and Bryan Westhoff have two children at NPES, Ben (class of '23) and Vivian (class of '26). Jessica is a residential broker with @properties and previously spent several years in event planning, project management, and marketing positions. She has co-chaired the NPES auction and volunteered in her children’s classrooms. Jessica is looking forward to working with the NPES community and supporting the school's vision.

Jonathan Novy

Board Chair

Jonathan Novy is an advisor for Ritholtz Wealth Management. Jonathan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago, and earned a graduate degree from Oxford University’s St. Catherine’s College. Jonathan and his wife, Laura, have two children. His daughter, Violet, is class of 2023 and his son, Sam, attends a different school.

Laura Coy

Laura Coy has two children at NPES, Hazel (class of '21) and Vivian (class of '25). Laura has spent more than twenty years in the philanthropic sector, most recently as the Director of Philanthropy Strategy at William Blair. Laura oversees the firm’s foundation and global employee engagement in addition to leading a client practice serving families, foundations, and institutions aiming to make positive impacts in the world. Laura has helped with the NPES auction for the last few years and is excited to support development at NPES to help achieve all of our Annual Fund and Capital Campaign fundraising goals.

Robert Verigan

Rob Verigan and his wife, Cara, joined the NPES community in 2011 when their son, Connor(‘22), enrolled in the inaugural preschool class. Their daughter, Mora(‘24), joined a few years later. Rob has worked in law and finance and currently serves as Managing Director and General Counsel of a local merchant bank that provides advice and capital to family- and founder-led businesses. Previously, he worked as a corporate attorney focusing on mergers and acquisitions, board governance, and finance matters. Rob is a director of Alliance Laundry Systems and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and a Fellow of the Class of 2013 of Leadership Greater Chicago. He received a BA from Duke University and a JD from The University of Chicago Law School.

Vince Menees

Vince Menees has been a member of the NPES board since 2011. He has over 15 years experience in IT Consulting and an additional seven years experience as a General Contractor focusing on residential development. Vince is currently focused on NPES' long-term technology goals and served as one of the chairs for the Wired for Fun initiative in 2012. Vince’s son (‘17) is a recent graduate of NPES and his daughter is in class of 2023.

Zach Wasilew

Treasurer

Zach Wasilew and his wife, Heather, are proud NPES parents of Jacob (‘20) and Aaron (‘21). Zach has professional experience in finance, real estate and education. He has helped plan, transact, and build schools. In working with charter schools, he has worked for and with non-profit boards running schools. Zach has participated in NPES events and activities: coaching Sharks basketball teams, men's wine and steak auction party, and Science Olympiad coaching.

Bob Hoellen

Bob Hoellen is a licensed attorney at the law firm Hoellen & Hoellen and has served on the NPES Board as an Associate Director for several years. He now serves as an Honorary Board Member.

Barbara La Piana

Associate Director

Barbara is the grandmother of Erik Timbo (‘20). She recently retired as the Director of Medical Staff Development at Weiss Hospital and is currently serving as President of the Board of Trustees of the Lincolnshire/Riverwoods Fire District. She has previously served as Mayor of Lincolnshire and on the boards of Stevenson High School #125 and Lincolnshire/Prairie View Elementary School #103.

Dana Weed

Associate Director

Dana Weed is a parent of 2 NPES alumni (‘14, ‘16). Both of her children attended from kindergarten through 8th grade. Dana volunteered for the NPES community in many ways as an NPES parent, including serving on the Board of Directors. She is a local business owner and member of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce. She is excited to be an Associate Director and to continue working on the school’s strategic plan.