About Us

Jim Geminer

Michael had his stroke in 2015. He spent two weeks in the hospital and three months doing tough therapy.

He has some deficits but has gained so much more. Since his stroke, he did a triathlon, went to Japan and made partner at his firm. He is a first-baseman for a world-class softball team and believes he's a better attorney and person because of his stroke.

He is a SSEEO volunteer sharing his testimonial at events and is looking forward to being on the Board and helping the stroke community.

John Hunt became a stroke survivor in 2012 after hes suffered an ischemic stroke. He currently volunteers at Advocate Condell Medical Center as a SSEEO Stroke Survivor 2 Survivor (SS2S) telephone peer support volunteer.

Throughout his life and this health obstacle, he has been blessed with great family support and love. His wife of almost 40 years, and their three grown children have always been a great blessing and strength to him, which is very comforting.

Michael Victor

Laurie has been a part of SSEEO's accounting and finance function since 2010. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Accounting.

Laurie has been actively working in the non-profit community for the last twenty years. Her prior experience includes social service agencies, theatre and condo/co-op associations.

Laurie is currently employed full-time with a public accounting firm in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Dr. Nagar earned her Medical degree from JSS Medical College, Mysore University in India in 1991. She completed residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago and her Neuromuscular fellowship at Barnes Hospital ,Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Nagar is a Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Neurologist who works primarily at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. She also serves in a teaching appointment for the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Nagar has been featured in the following articles “Relief for Patients with Neurological Problems” and “The Picture of Stroke Survival” – these articles can be found on the website www.lfh.org.

Medical Education, Patient education, clinical trials are her interests.

Christine Winiecki

Christine has been with SSEEO since 2007, first as a part-time Coordinator, in 2010 as Manager and then 2015 as Director. In this role, Christine is responsible for program development, volunteer management, fundraising, communications and support. 

Prior to working for SSEEO, Christine worked as the Health Initiatives Director for the American Heart Association. She collaborated with hospitals, health departments and other businesses to coordinate and implement community-wide strategies, programs and services. Her role also included assisting hospitals to become Primary Stroke Centers.

Christine lives in Downers Grove and is the mother of two beautiful children and enjoys long walks with her dog.

Laurie Illes

Christina is the proud daughter of a stroke survivor. In the summer of 2009, Christina’s father suffered two consecutive strokes while undergoing general anesthetic for an unrelated surgical procedure. Christina became a short-term caretaker for her father in the weeks and months that followed. Gratefully, her father made enormous strides in his recovery.

After returning to her full time job as an attorney, Christina saw an opportunity to assist other stroke survivors and caregivers in volunteering to give pro bono legal advice to Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other (SSEEO) as it transitioned from a small grass-roots charity to a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

After her pro bono representation concluded, Christina became more involved with SSEEO, first serving as its Secretary and now as a Board Member. She is so proud of the amazing work that SSEEO does and continuously inspired by the bravery, strength and perseverance of her father and the many stroke survivors and caregivers that she has met in the course of her service to this incredible organization.

Christina moved to Seattle, where she resides with her husband and children. Together they enjoy running, hiking, wine tasting and seeking out great BBQ.

Jim has been a stroke survivor since 2011 and had open heart surgery in 2015. He joined SSEEO in 2016 leading the Stroke Survivor 2 Survivor (SS2S) telephone peer support calls at Advocate Sherman Hospital. Through his work with this program, he advocated and now leads the Sherman stroke support group. In 2018, Jim was named Volunteer of the Year at Advocate Sherman Hospital for his work with stroke patients. He credits his wife and daughter with encouraging him to work hard during rehabilitation and become a volunteer after his stroke.

Prior to his stroke, he was very successful in marketing and sales. Jim walks daily for exercise and after 45

years, remains a member of his golf league.

John Hunt

Christina Miller

Charu Nagar, MD

Treasurer - Mark Egelston

Mark Egelston is a stroke survivor of 30 years. He joined SSEEO in 2012 to help others navigate the stroke journey. He shares his story monthly to new stroke patients and families at local hospitals and stroke support groups.

He is a banker by day and also serves as SSEEO, Treasurer. In addition, he oversees and leads volunteer teams for SSEEO’s Stroke Survivor2Survivor (SS2S) telephone peer support program.

STAFF

ACCOUNTING / FINANCE

Secretary - Vacant

BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Randy became a stroke survivor in 2014. He connected with SSEEO while looking for answers after his stroke. He immediately felt the compassion and support of everyone in the organization. He has a passion for raising awareness of stroke prevention and helping others in their post stroke journey.

Randy and his wife Kathy have two sons. As a family they enjoy traveling. They are also avid sports fans and enjoy both watching and playing sports.

President - Randy Crabtree

​Jim Geminer