Board of Directors
Executive Board
Dan Schewe, President
Retired
Paul Borek, Vice President
Joined in 2024
Retired
Recently retired as Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), Paul Borek accumulated over 40 years of experience and accomplishment in economic development, banking, and city planning. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Urban Studies from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Aurora University.
At DCEDC, Paul was responsible for business attraction, expansion, workforce development, strategic planning, business advocacy and fundraising. He coordinated the certification and administration of the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone, spearheaded the development of DeKalb County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and helped lead the State of Illinois’ attraction of the data center industry including Facebook.
With the leadership of the City of DeKalb, DeKalb County Government and local municipalities, the county has attracted investment equivalent to the previous 30 years combined in just the past five years. The Egyptian Theatre has played a key role in defining DeKalb County’s Opportunity Unbound culture and Paul wishes to contribute to its continued success as a regional showplace.
Spending retirement winters in Florida, Paul is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Fort Myers Beach Flotilla. Paul cherishes a 40-year partnership with his wife Mary, blessed with daughter Caitlin, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Mikesha and precious granddaughters Lennox and Shiloh.
Steve Parker, Treasurer
Controller at Foster Buick Law, Collins Dental Group, and Pinkston-Tadd, Inc., Treasurer at Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
I was born in Pekin, Illinois, but grew up in Oswego. Recruited to play football at NIU, I graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1970 and other than for a few years in the early 70’s, have been a resident of DeKalb ever since. My accounting career began as a staff accountant for local CPA, Del Shafer, during my senior year at NIU. After a few years as a public accountant, I took a job with Apple Tree Stereo as CFO where I worked for 10 years. I married the love of my life, Lynn Norton, in 1977 and we have been happily married for 47 years. Lynn and I started a business, Creative Calligraphy, in our home in 1982 which was both enjoyable and successful for the better part of 20 years. The most satisfying part of owning Creative Calligraphy was being able to employ over 100 people for the better part of 10 years. While I continue to work full time, most of our weekends are spent enjoying time with our grandchildren - Tavis 22, Drew 9, Lily 8, Jakey 8, Ethan 6 and Hannah 5. I am looking forward to serving on the board of the Egyptian Theatre and helping in any way I can to contribute to the positive growth that has taken place over the last few years. The Egyptian Theatre is truly one of DeKalb’s treasures.
Directors
Laura Anderson
Joined in 2024
Owner - Create Health Mobility Clinic
Laura Anderson was born and raised in DeKalb, IL. She met and married her childhood best friend Dr. Curtis Anderson. Laura and her husband had the privilege of living on both coasts, while he served in the United States Navy. After that adventure they returned back to DeKalb to accomplish their educational goals. Laura attended Northern Illinois University and completed her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training. She attended Kishwaukee College and completed her Associates of Science with an emphasis in Massage Therapy. Soon after her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she and her husband started Create Health Chiropractic. She also served on the board of Hispanic Festival Inc, Ballet 314 and volunteered for Latinx Art Network. She fell in love with the community of St. Louis, but the importance of being close to family once again brought them back North. In 2022 they returned, calling DeKalb home once again. That same year her husband accepted a position with Northwestern Orthopedic Medical Group and she launched Create Health Mobility Clinic, located in Downtown DeKalb. In 2023 she celebrated her businesses one year anniversary and organized the Inaugural DeKalb Day of the Dead event. Laura has seen DeKalb through the lens of a child, young adult and now business owner and the Egyptian Theatre was a consistent memory throughout her life. Having performed on stage as a Lincoln Lion to watching Coco during the Inaugural DeKalb Day of the Dead event with 3 generations of her family. She is honored to serve on the board and looks forward to creating memories for individuals within the community.
Lisa Sharp
Principal & Owner - Sharp Architects, Inc.
Ms. Sharp first moved to DeKalb at an early age in 1975, when her father landed a new job as head administrator of Kishwaukee Hospital and the family moved back to Illinois. Lisa and her sister both attended DeKalb schools from elementary school through to DeKalb High School. After graduation she left home to get her B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia and then her M. Arch degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee but she would eventually return home to start her family and begin her career in architecture.
After many years of working for other architectural firms in the Fox Valley area Lisa founded Sharp Architects, Inc. in 2008. She brought with her a background in both healthcare design and historic restoration. The firm has provided design services for a wide variety of projects in the county including the restoration of the Sycamore Train Depot for DCCF, various projects at the Ellwood House, a training center for IBEW in Genoa, and office facilities for Facebook. In 2019 Sharp Architects was awarded the design for the HVAC and Lobby Addition Project for the Egyptian Theatre. The project continues to be one of Lisa’s all-time favorite endeavors allowing her to leave an enduring legacy with an icon in the community.
Lisa and her husband Tony raised two children, Jackson and Katherine, here in DeKalb and have attended many holiday shows with Lincoln Elementary at the theatre. They continue to enjoy walking from their restored home on the south side of town to see the latest performances at the Egyptian Theatre.
Carolyn Walsh
Joined in 2024
Trust Officer – Resource Bank
Carolyn Walsh first moved to DeKalb in January, 1990 to complete her college education at Northern Illinois University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a minor in English. She moved away after graduation but returned in 1993. She started her trust career at Harris Bank St. Charles in 1994. She spent a total of 14 years in the DeKalb/Sycamore area working for National Bank & Trust Company and American National Bank of DeKalb County.
Carolyn has been a Vice President & Trust Officer at Old Second National Bank since 2017. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA). Carolyn is a past board member of the Ellwood House Association and past member of the DeKalb Rotary Club and Sycamore Rotary Club. Besides the Egyptian Theatre, she is a current board member at the DeKalb County History Center. Carolyn has two children, Cole and Elaina.
Carolyn is excited to serve on the board for the Egyptian Theatre. She has attended events at the Egyptian since the 1990’s and loves the vibrancy the Egyptian brings to downtown DeKalb. Her favorite event each year is attending the showing of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Christmas.
Jessica Wexell
Joined in 2025
Community Engagement Coordinator - RAMP
Jessica was born and raised in Central Illinois and moved to DeKalb in 2014. Her career began in education, working with elementary students with Autism for five years before continuing her work with K–22 students in DeKalb. In 2017, Jessica joined RAMP, a Center for Independent Living, where she has held several roles that allowed her to experience the organization’s wide range of services. She currently serves as RAMP’s Community Engagement Coordinator, where she enjoys connecting with communities, building partnerships, and educating others about disability awareness and advocacy. Jessica has spent many hours at the Egyptian Theatre, both attending events and collaborating with the theatre to ensure accessibility for all patrons. She deeply values the Egyptian’s commitment to inclusion and is excited to support its mission and the vibrant community it serves.
