The Waubonsee Community College Foundation recently elected current board member Mike Williams, of Wheaton, to the role of Vice President and welcomed three new directors, Behati Hart of North Aurora, Marcia Ayala of Yorkville, and Colette Rozanski of Geneva.
Now retired, Williams formerly directed the human resources function for the Ball Horticultural Group of Companies for 20 years. Based in West Chicago, Ball is the leading independent breeder, producer, and wholesale distributor of ornamental plant products for the worldwide market, employing over 3300 employees worldwide and 550 employees in the U.S. Williams also previously spent 20 years in the retail industry, primarily in Midwest regional department store chains, including Kohl’s in Milwaukee, Marshall Field’s in Chicago, and Gimbel’s in Milwaukee.
Williams holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Western Michigan University. He formerly served as board member and secretary for DuPage Foundation for Human Services Reform, and is a former board member of Choose DuPage Economic Development. Williams has served as a member of the Waubonsee Community College Foundation Board since June 2019.
Hart is the Director of Innovation & Strategy and the Financial Empowerment Center for the City of Aurora. An Air Force veteran and social scientist, Hart offers a wealth of professional experiences gained during her more than 21 years in federal and local government, and in education industries. Her expertise includes strategic and innovative consulting around workforce and organizational development; project and program design; career and life coaching; diversity, equity and inclusion; wellness; and communication.
Hart holds a Master of Arts in Human Behavior from National University and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix. She is certified in the following areas: Insights for Innovation, IDEO-U ™ Four Lenses™, The True Colors®, Myers-Briggs Strong Interest Inventory®, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, NVTI Employment Training, Personal Financial Planning, Life and Wellness Coaching. Hart is also a proud member of the Alliance for Innovation, Chicago Executive Learning Exchange, Chicago Innovation network, Bloomberg Cities network and Fig Factor Foundation™.
Ayala serves as President of Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc., a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Meridian Industries subsidiary and global leader in coating, dyeing, and finishing woven, non-woven, and knit fabrics. Before her current role, Ayala was promoted to Vice President of Research & Development in 2014, and again to company Vice President in 2015. Ayala played a key leadership role during the company’s transition from its former plant in Aurora to a new manufacturing facility in Yorkville, a move that involved bringing in a new generation of textile equipment and technology.
Ayala holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from West Virginia University. Ayala also serves on the Valley Industrial Association (VIA) Board of Directors and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) Board of Directors.
Rozanski is the President and Director of R.C. Wegman Construction Company, a full-service construction company with over 62 years of experience. Before her role as president, Rozanski served as the Business Development Director. In addition to managing daily operations, Rozanski’s goal is to maintain and develop new customer relationships, as well as pursuing new business opportunities.
Rozanski holds a Master of Science in Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Illinois State University. She serves as Vice President for the Chicagoland Association for General Contractors and is a member of several industry associations, including the Federation of Women Contractors, the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, and the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts. Rozanski serves as a board member on the Fox Valley Park District Foundation Board, Aurora Chamber Executive Board, and the Aurora Education Commission.
Waubonsee Community College opens the door of knowledge, sparks imaginations, and enlightens lives through learning. The Waubonsee Foundation strengthens this vision by providing opportunities for all citizens in our community to have access to a quality education through scholarships, educational opportunities, and services. For more information, contact the Development Office at (630) 466-2316 or visit waubonsee.edu/foundation.
Pictured above: (Left to right) Waubonsee Community College Foundation Board Members Mike Williams, Behati Hart, Marcia Ayala, and Colette Rozanski
