CROYA Staff
CROYA adult staff are trained professionals, always on site, who guide and assist young adults. CROYA adult staff are trained and experienced in guiding young adults in learning valuable life skills including accountability, ethics, values, civility, and service; teaching Peer Training to equip young adults to manage complex social-emotional issues; assisting young adults in managing their lives while developing coping skills for the future; fostering the importance of respect for selves, peers and adults; facilitating the development of leadership skills through team building, decision-making, and group processing; and helping young adults bring their creative ideas to life in realistic and appropriate ways.
Todd Nahigian
CROYA Manager
Todd grew up in Northfield and attended Glenbrook South High School. He studied Psychology at Miami University (Ohio), and earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Todd began working at CROYA as the High School Youth Worker in 1995, became the Assistant Director in 2000, and became the Manager in 2011. Todd and his wife Amy have twin daughters (Addison & Brooke). Todd is an avid Cubs fan and still plays on a men’s baseball team in Chicago. On working at CROYA, Todd says he “most enjoys working with youth to provide them with opportunities where they can feel good about themselves as a person. Adolescence is a challenging time, and anything I can do to help kids in their social-emotional development is rewarding to me.”
Email Todd
Office: 847-810-3982
Cell: 847-613-0100
Rick Day
Student Union Program Manager
Rick grew up in Lake Forest and attended Deer Path Middle School and Lake Forest High School, where he was Chairman of the CROYA High School Executive Committee. He received his BS in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois. Before becoming the Student Union Program manager, Rick worked for the National Headquarters of his Fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma, in Warrensburg, MO.
As the Student Union Program Manager, Rick looks forward to developing new and exciting programming for after school and weekend hours. Rick loves CROYA because “CROYA is an amazing organization that not only provides leadership and service opportunities, but also provides a space for youth to be themselves and have fun. CROYA truly helped shape me into the person that I am today, and I’m so excited to be able to share the CROYA experience with the youth of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.”
Email Rick
Office: 847-810-3984
Cell: 847-613-0103
Leslie Bruning
Middle School Youth Worker
Leslie grew up in Bushnell, Illinois and attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for high school. She received her degree in Communication from Lake Forest College in 2015. Before working at CROYA, Leslie worked in the athletic department at her alma mater, Wayland Academy, a boarding school in Wisconsin. Leslie is an avid tennis player and tries to play as much as she can. In 2016, Leslie joined the CROYA staff as the Student Union Youth Worker, where she planned and organized after school programs and weekend activities. Leslie is currently the Middle School Youth Worker and hopes continue to build relationships with the youth and local middle schools in addition to planning programs and community service opportunities that the youth are passionate about and want to participate in.
Email Leslie
Office: 847-810-3999
Cell: 847-613-0102
Catherine Lawniczak
High School Youth Worker
Catherine grew up in Champaign, Illinois and attended Champaign Central High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Community Wellness from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where she was the Director of Friendship and Social for her Sorority, Chi Omega. Before becoming the High School Youth Worker, Catherine was the Coordinator of Prevention and Education for Rosecrance Central Illinois.
Email Catherine
Office: 847-810-3985
Cell: 847-613-0101
Sophie Lupini
CROYA Service and Leadership Youth Worker
Sophie grew up in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and attended Charlotte High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Before working at CROYA, Sophie worked with youth returning from Detention at a local nonprofit. You can often find Sophie playing cards and enjoying the outdoors!
Just as the title, Service and Leadership Youth Worker suggests, Sophie has spent a lot of her time dedicating herself to service and leadership opportunities. In this role, she is excited about the chance to further connect the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff students with the greater community and provide opportunities for students to give back!
Email Sophie
Office: 847-810-3986
Cell: 847-370-4383
Susan Simms
Administrative Assistant
Susan moved with her family to Lake Forest in 2001. Her four children, F. Grant, Connor, Macklin and Olivea all attended Sheridan Elementary, Deerpath Middle School and Lake Forest High School. Before joining first LF Parks and Rec part time in 2013 and then CROYA full time in 2017, Susan was a very active volunteer and held positions for District 67 APT, Cub Scout Pack 46 and Boy Scout Troop 48. As the Administrative Assistant for CROYA, Susan enjoys overseeing programs such as the annual Poinsettia Sale fundraiser.
Email Susan
Office: 847-810-3980
Cell: 224-545-2071
