OUR TEAM
ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE
TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH
CO-FOUNDERS
Lesya Merena
While Lesya holds a bachelor of science in finance from DePaul University, her real passion is nutrition. At an early age, she discovered that her body reacted differently to certain foods, and eventually she learned she had a sensitivity to gluten. She became very interested in the science of nutrition and in choosing a diet made up of healthful foods: foods that made her feel good – inside and out. The more she studied and learned about nutrition, the more she realized how helpful it would be to have known this information at an early age. Lesya loves helping children in the kitchen so they can learn to enjoy good food (vegetables, beans and whole grains) and so they can develop a healthy relationship with food right from the start.
Olga Davis
Olga holds a bachelor of science in business administration from Dickinson State University and an MBA in finance from the University of North Dakota. She is also a CFP® professional. Olga’s passion is working with children – helping them with reading, cooking and other life skills. In a way, she combines math skills and cooking interests by teaching children how to measure and learn fractions while they prepare delicious, nutritious recipes. She has been volunteering with children for several years with Big Brother Big Sister and at Working in the Schools (WITS), a tutoring and mentoring program focused on helping children with their reading. She left her career in finance to focus all her efforts and time on her passion working with kids.
Ian Corse
Director of Operations
A transplant in Chicago, Ian Corse was raised on a small organic vegetable farm--an experience that continues to inspire a passion for fresh ingredients. As an advocate for hands-on experiences that incite engagement and exploration, Ian has worked with children of all ages, developing youth programming in a variety of summer camps and after-school activities. He is very excited to be providing the opportunity for kids to discover their own love of food, multicultural cuisine, and culinary adventure!
Riley Schornak
Program Manager
For Riley, Michigan native and Brown University graduate, health and education are at the nexus of her passions. From supervising youth employment programming to facilitating health education courses through an esteemed nonprofit, Riley has committed to pursuing a career that centers community knowledge and wellbeing. Growing up with a chef father fostered her love for cooking, and her work in fitness deepened her understanding of food’s role in wellness. Riley believes in the power of programs such as iCook in furthering community access to fresh, nutritious, delicious, and culturally relevant food. Outside of work, Riley can be found reading, crafting, gardening, cooking, and exploring Chicago as she puts down new roots.
Erin Page
Program Coordinator
Erin is from Michigan and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Her work in summer camps, out-of-school programming, and schools have shaped her passion for youth development. She believes that youth grow when given both agency and guidance and that engaging after-school programming provides these opportunities. Her commitment to sustainability has shaped her belief that teaching kids about food connects them with their communities and encourages them to be stewards of the environment. She's excited to support students on their culinary journeys!
Laura Golian
Regional Manager
Laura is a Maryland-native with a passion for making learning accessible and enjoyable. She has experience designing and facilitating multiple community-based education programs. She also spent two years teaching English as a foreign language to elementary-aged students in Taiwan.
Laura believes food is an important means for cultural exploration and community building. She is excited about the opportunity to engage with young learners and promote health and nutrition.
Ashley O'Donnell
Senior Program Coordinator
Meet Ashley, a Northwest Indiana native and Indiana University Northwest graduate. She is a volunteer mentor to college bound Chicago Public School scholars. Ashley is passionate about student engagement and creating an enriching environment for Chicago youth. She has 5+ years of experience in coordinating a variety of after school and extracurricular programs for students of all ages as well as experience working with various Chicago Public Schools and Chicago International Charter Schools. Ashley finds joy in engaging with her community through art, music, film or literature. She is excited to continue to provide exceptional and enriching after school programs to southside scholars through iCook After School.
Canisha Russ
Program Coordinator
Born in Chicago, Canisha graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BA in Music Business and from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville with an MBA in Management Information Systems. She has over 7 years of experience providing programs for students of all ages and varying cultural backgrounds. An educator herself, she teaches vocal lessons to teens and adults. Canisha believes that students with access to different enrichment programs will not only have better future opportunities but will also inevitably see improvements in their social-emotional knowledge, interpersonal skills, and personal well-being. Through her work, she hopes to provide as many youth as possible with unforgettable experiences that impact them well into adulthood.
Andreas Ornelas
Senior Program Coordinator
Andreas is a Texas-born graduate of the University of Arkansas, with a degree in Political Science. True to his roots, he finds joy in the little things - a good book, good weather, good food, and good company.
He has an interest in community enrichment and started his career bringing after school programs to schools in Chicago. It was there he found a passion creating opportunities for children to develop new skills and knowledge. He continues working to provide children with fun, educational courses.
Megan Crane
Senior Program Coordinator
Megan is a Bay Area native and proud Loyola University Chicago graduate who is passionate about education, wellness, and youth development. From leading summer camps in London to coordinating volunteers at a national nonprofit, she’s dedicated her career to creating meaningful, joyful experiences for kids and families. She believes that instilling a healthy relationship with food can empower children to make nourishing choices throughout their lives. Outside of work, Megan loves biking around the city, training for marathons, and discovering new restaurants. She’s thrilled to be part of iCook After School and help students grow confident in the kitchen while having fun along the way!
Michelle Przewoznik
Human Resources
Michelle Przewoznik values a holistic approach to health and wellness and takes great joy in preparing and sharing nourishing meals with others. After discovering how certain foods and habits impacted her health, Michelle studied nutrition and health coaching, which empowered her to advocate for her health and share her knowledge with others. At iCook After School, Michelle is excited to inspire kids and families to explore healthy habits and embrace the process of cooking, eating well, and living a balanced, fulfilling life.