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  • ART
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      • Botanical Art Academy
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    • Calls for Art
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    • 2022 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
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    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans
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Brushwood Center
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2022 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart
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Suzanne Malec-Mckenna, Ph.D.

Suzanne believes that a strong economy does not preclude a healthy environment– and vice versa!  Rather, they are important partners in a resilient region. 
Suzanne’s career has been centered on stakeholder engagement and sustainability action, drawing from a balance of principles in environment, equity, and economy. Suzanne possesses deep knowledge and experience in climate mitigation and resiliency, regulatory efforts, workforce development, ecological restoration, urban forest management, industrial redevelopment, and management and governance practices. She led strategies and programs for over 17 years at the Chicago Department of Environment, culminating as Commissioner.  Key accomplishments included the launch and oversight of: Greencorps Chicago; Chicago Center for Green Technology and Green Tech University; the Chicago Conservation Corps; the Calumet Initiative; comprehensive stormwater management, air, and soil and rubble reuse legislation; restoration and expansion of North Park Village Nature Center; Action H2O; and hiring and leading an amazing cohort of environmental leaders who are making a difference across the region and the world, including Brushwood Center’s very own Executive Director, Catherine Game.
Suzanne has an additional 15 years of experience in nonprofit and corporate settings, in a variety of roles incorporating leadership, management, academic and on-the-ground expertise in the Chicago region.  Suzanne worked for Openlands, establishing the TreeKeepers and community gardening programs, ConTextos, establishing an office and programming in Chicago as expansion of its original work in El Salvador, and served as Executive Director for Chicago Wilderness.  Most recently, Suzanne consulted for Audubon Great Lakes on climate outreach, the MAAFA Redemption Project in West Garfield Park on job training, and the Chicago Community Loan Fund on climate resiliency strategies for development. Suzanne has consulted for additional organizations such as Jasculca Terman, Quercus Consulting, the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Community Trust.  Suzanne served on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transition team and as Interim CEO for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.  Suzanne holds a B.S. in horticulture from University of IL, Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s and Ph.D. in communications from Northwestern University.
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21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
​Riverwoods, IL 60015

224.633.2424 info@brushwoodcenter.org
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors. At Brushwood Center, you will have open access to accessible parking and entrance to the house, a gender neutral bathroom, and changing tables.
If you require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please contact our Manager of Public Programs and Communications, Parker Nelson, at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org or at (224) 633-2424 ext. 1.
Programming and events at Brushwood Center is available to everyone, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.​
​
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​OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10am - 3pm
Sundays: 1pm - 3pm
and by appointment 
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2022 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart