Board Members
Learn more about the dedicated volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors by reading their bios below.
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Learn more about the dedicated volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors by reading their bios below.
Cara Freund is an accomplished business professional bringing over 20 years of experience, with a specialty in Human Resources. Since 2016, Cara has served as an Organizational Development Specialist for a Health System, focusing on culture and leadership development. She has served on several non-profits including serving in the role of President for local Lions Foundation, Society for Human Resource Management.
Rodger Salzman is President of the Board for Epilepsy Advocacy Network. Rodger grew up with epilepsy and understands how it can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Even through the challenges brought on by epilepsy, he perseveres to achieve his goals and experience life’s adventures. While growing up, Rodger tried multiple treatments including medication, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), and in 2003 he had open brain surgery at Johns Hopkins. After brain surgery, he went 15 years seizure free. Rodger has been on staff at multiple camps for kids with epilepsy and speaker at the Walk for Epilepsy in Springfield, IL. He is also active with community organizations such as the Board of Directors for Stamps on Scouting International, and Wyoming Board for Sons of American Revolution. In his free time, he enjoys staying active (not letting epilepsy stop him) with rafting, sea kayaking, zip lining, biking and more. Rodger’s personal experience with epilepsy has given him the passion to help others with epilepsy to live a life full of quality and educate the public about epilepsy so that we can all work together to make progress in the community.
Denny is married and has two grown children. He has worked in a factory
setting for many years. He started and organized basketball leagues for
a community center and was a coach for Junior High basketball. Denny got
involved in the Epilepsy Advocacy Network organization through his son
who was diagnosed with Epilepsy 14 years ago. He and his wife coordinate
a Bingo fundraiser for the Peoria Area to help raise funds for EAN.
Denny loves to network with the community and is excited to be a part of
the EAN organization and their mission of spreading awareness of
Epilepsy.
Alex is a fun loving individual who has a joy for the art of communication. He is currently working as a sales consultant for a tech company, and loves to spread his wings in other ventures. He strives to make the world a better place. He often shares that his all time goal in life is to make everyone feel as welcome as possible. Alex has experience in different kinds of mission work where he has traveled nation wide or outside the country to help different communities that may need a little assistance in numerous aspects. Alex has grant writing and fundraising experience, and loves to use that skill to help out beautiful organizations such as The Epilepsy Advocacy Network. He believes that sharing the knowledge and spreading awareness about Epilepsy is incredibly important!
Tonia is a Retail Assistant Manager with Heartland Bank & Trust. She has 11 years of banking experience. Tonia also has over 7 years of recreation programming experience and working with a board. She has served on a previous non-profit board as the treasurer. Tonia is very passionate about anything she gets involved with and cannot wait to get involved with Epilepsy Advocacy Network’s board and help educate others about Epilepsy.
