Our Team
Leanne Vos
Executive Director
Ms. Vos has a BA in Education, served as a case manager for a disabled sibling, and has five years retail management experience. Responsible for directing all phases of Donka’s operation including administrative duties, overseeing instruction and curricula, fundraising and public relations, and acting as liaison among students, staff, Board members, the public, and the media.
Samantha Moore
Program Manager
Ms. Moore has a Microcomputer specialist, AAS., specializing in Microsoft Office, Web Design, CSS, HTML, XML, JAVA, and JavaScript. She has over three years of experience working as an instructor with Donka and served as a volunteer with Donka graduates for over a year. Prior experience includes accounting associate, nanny, and teacher.
Emanuel Iturbe
Administrative Assistant
Emanuel is attending Elgin Community College and earning his degree as Microcomputer Specialist. He is techy savvy and assists all staff in administrative tasks and computer related tasks for instructors and students.
Ann Byrne
Instructor
Ms. Byrne, a Donka graduate, has extensive computer knowledge and experience with adaptive equipment and has been blind since birth. She has a BS in English, worked as a rehabilitation trainer, and 22 years of experience as a computer programmer.
Linda Yurka
Instructor
Ms. Yurka has a degree in math and computer science from the University of Illinois, and over 20 years of experience as a computer programmer and systems analyst, working for large banks and insurance companies. She spent several years balancing the demands of her job with caregiving for her mother, who had Parkinson’s disease, and father, who suffered from a couple of debilitating strokes. She began to work at Donka as a volunteer for two years, then joined the staff as a teacher.
Rick Schopp
Instructor
A former graduate of the Donka program, having quadriplegia, provides instruction in curriculum and assistive technology. Prior to Donka, he worked for four years in advertising and created flyers, brochures and newsletters for businesses and churches.
Debbie Wessman
Instructor
Ms. Wessman has been an educator for the Illinois Public Schools for 19 years and specializes in teaching Computer Applications. She has experience with web design, front end development, social media management and virtual learning. Ms. Wessman has a bachelors in education in English with a computer technology endorsement.
John Strong, Jr.
Instructor
Mr. Strong has a degree in Computer Information Systems from Christian Brothers University of Memphis, TN, and over 25 years of experience in Wireless Communications and Computer systems, working major vendors and government contractors. Mr. Strong is deeply committed to making a difference in students’ lives and considers it an honor to be part of the Donka family.
Kimberly Delaney
Instructor
Ms. Delaney earned her Bachelor of Science in English with a minor in Biology from Augustana College and Marquette University. She became completely blind in 2010. Prior to joining Donka, Kimberly worked as a Programmer Analyst for Quaker Oats and as a Software Developer in the Security and Fraud Department at Discover Card. A Donka graduate and proficient JAWS user, Kimberly brings a wealth of technical expertise and personal experience to her teaching. Her journey and professional background uniquely equip her to empower and educate individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Kyle Kania
Instructor
Donka graduate turned Assistive Technology (AT) Instructor, Kyle’s journey embodies both creativity and resilience. Before joining Donka, he worked as a professional acrylic portrait artist and spent over 15 years in the printing industry. A passionate aquarium enthusiast, Kyle maintains seven aquariums at home—both saltwater and freshwater—and is well-known in Chicagoland’s plant community for his terrarium-building workshops. Diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in 2019, Kyle has since become an active AT user and advocate for people with disabilities.
Carlos Johnson
Job Placement Specialist
Mr. Johnson attended Robert Morris University and DeVry University. He brings over 15 years of workforce development experience providing job readiness workshops, subsidized and unsubsidized job placement services, secondary education and trade certification pathways, and successful WIOA programming initiatives.
Anam Minhas
Marketing, Communications & Development Specialist
Ms. Minhas has a B.S. in Marketing from Northern Illinois University and a Certificate in Hospitality Sales & Marketing from College of Du Page. She has fifteen years of experience in sales and marketing, three of which were working with nonprofit organizations. Prior to Donka, she was a top producing and award-winning Mortgage Loan Officer with PNC Bank.
Board of Directors
Officers
PRESIDENT Rhonda Pavicich, RSP Holdings, LLC
VICE PRESIDENT Robert Stewart
TREASURER Abby Taylor, Wheaton Bank & Trust Company
SECRETARY Rachel Steward, Chicago Public Schools
Jim Benzin
Shauna Berman, DuPage Care Center
Flory Hoving
Glen Schwarz
Jennifer Ulmer
John Westra, Johnson, Westra, Broecker, Whittaker & Newitt, P.C.
Our Partners
DuPage Care Center (DPCC)
DuPage Care Center provides in-kind donation of computer lab space (1,500 SqFt), utilities, housekeeping / physical maintenance, access to meeting rooms and parking.
Donka provides computer training and AT training for the residents of DPCC who qualify for the program to learn basic computer skills including social media and AT. Graduates (who are DPCC residents) of the program use Donka’s lab during open lab times-held afternoons, evenings and weekends. www.dupageco.org/convo/
Illinois Assistive Technology Project IATP – (Springfield, IL)
The purpose of IATP’s device loan program is to let potential AT users try-out devices prior to purchase, have access to a backup system when their device is in for repairs and/or have access to a device while waiting for their device to be delivered. IATP’s device loan program is FREE and easy to use. Donka can borrow assistive devices for Donka students and for use in our Train the Trainer workshops. This gives persons (with and without disabilities) an opportunity to try out and use equipment without having to invest in purchasing sometimes extensive equipment www.iltech.org
People’s Resource Center (PRC)
PRC offers refurbished computers to Donka Inc, students and graduates free of charge as well as ongoing computer maintenance for the useful life of each computer provided. Computers will be updated with Microsoft Office for students to use for study and personal use.
Donka serves as a referral source for donations of computer equipment for PRC. Donka students, many of whom are low income, will benefit from this valuable resource for additional support during their training at Donka and beyond. http://www.peoplesrc.org/
Center for Independence – Working Together Chicago
The mission of the Center for Independence is to help children and young adults with disabilities achieve their highest level of independence in the home, school, community and workforce. We do this by offering therapy programs that develop life skills and motor function in a manner that promotes positive self-direction, self-esteem and an “I Can!” attitude. Committed to breaking down barriers to the workforce, the Center also provides job training and placement for young adults with disabilities through our innovative program, Working Together Chicago. https://www.cfimove.org/
CONNECT WITH US!
Donka, Inc.
400 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.665.8169
Email: info@donkainc.org
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
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Donka, Inc. is approved to operate by the Private Business and Vocational Schools Division of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Click here for Academic Catalog. Illinois Board of Higher Education contact information: Phone:(217) 782-2551, Email:info@ibhe.org, Website:www.ibhe.org.
For complaints, please visit: complaints.ibhe.org.
Student complaints must be submitted in writing to the Board (Section 85(i)(1) of the Act). Information about the complaint may be submitted online through the IBHE website (www.ibhe.org). Additional information regarding the complaint process can be obtained by contacting the Board at:
Illinois Board of Higher Education | Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools | 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333 | Springfield IL 62701
Phone Number: (217) 782-2551
Fax Number: (217) 782-8548
Donka, Inc. is not accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting body.