Our Board
Supporting the Future of Open Connections
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors are responsible for the long-term health and sustainability of Open Connections, oversight of our mission, and management of our financial affairs.
Diane Webber
INTERIM BOARD CHAIR
Diane has been part of the Open Connections community since 1998—as a parent, long-time facilitator, ad hoc committee member, grandparent, consultant, and now a member of the Board of Directors. As with so many of the best things in life, these roles often overlap. Diane holds an undergraduate degree in education, an MFA in Creative Writing, and has done graduate work in Semitic and Egyptian languages. She writes nonfiction and historical fiction for young people and dabbles in other genres. An educator for decades in a variety of environments, Diane is the founder and owner of Shared Living and Learning, through which she offers tailored support to families seeking to build a learning life outside of school that mirrors their priorities, and also coaches adults in their work with young people. Diane is the parent of three OC alums and the grandparent of 3 current attendees.
AMY JOHNSOn
SECRETARY
Amy is the Director of Agriculture for Greener Partners, a non-profit farming organization offering educational programming with the goal of inspiring community members of all ages to experience fresh, local food, igniting healthy eating habits for life. She founded Red Hill Farm, a 120 member Community Supported Agriculture farm in Aston, PA where she worked as Farm Director growing food and community for nearly 8 years. Since 2013, she has sat on Media Borough Council where she serves as liaison for the Environmental Advisory, Fair Trade, Shade Tree and Farmers Market committees. Amy is mom to two life-long learners, one currently at OC and one OC graduate.
LISA HUIS
BOARD MEMBER
Lisa has been a part of the Open Connections family since September, 2000. Over the last two decades, she has been absorbing the wonderful OC philosophy directly from the multi-talented staff and her own three young people. She has facilitated or has been a co-facilitator in various programs, including a Groups, Choice, Shaping Your Life and the Open Program. Lisa has created many fabric- and pie crust-related projects on and off campus with collaborators of all ages. She is currently expanding her understanding of non-profit organizations. Lisa loves to be a connector of people and is currently working on the Committee of Trustees to strengthen the Board and ensure the future health of Open Connections. When she is not working on OC projects, Lisa loves spending time with her family, sewing, exercising and baking. Lisa is mom to 3 OC alums.
Tamara O'Brien
BOARD MEMBER
Tamara is a co-founder of Philadelphia Agile Learning Community (Philly ALC) and enthusiastic about supporting young people on their educational journeys. Her son, Carter, has been enrolled in either homeschooling or schools with a self-directed education model for over 10 years. Through these experiences, Tamara has become a passionate supporter of organizations that center on the student and help to foster their natural curiosity for learning. Professionally, she is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and Enrolled Actuary. Through her career in retirement consulting, she has been vocal about advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion both within her organization and the clients she supports. In addition to continuing her professional education, Tamara enjoys trivia, puzzles and word games. She’s also loves traveling and learning first-hand about different cultures.
LEE WISDOM
BOARD MEMBER
Lee is the mother of 2 boys, a homeschooler, and a former preschool teacher and child care provider. She serves as the president of the Downingtown Area School District board of directors and is a member of the Cultural Equity Task Force. She also heads the Uwchlan Township Historical Commission as their chairperson.
Lee feels passionate about ensuring that young people get what they need to thrive in an environment that is conducive to their individual learning. Equity and diversity and a focus on mental health and life/work balance are important aspects of this plan.
Lee loves traveling, reading, yoga, spending time outdoors, and adventures of every kind. It is her philosophy that education, connection, and community are gifts we offer each other and choose to accept for ourselves every day. Lee and her family have been part of the OC Community since 2014.