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Jeanne Schultz Angel, Executive Director Jeanne Schultz Angel has worked in heritage and cultural institutions for nearly 30 years. She received a Bachelors degree in Anthropology and Masters degree in History at Illinois State University. She was the Director of St. Charles Heritage Center in St. Charles, IL between 1996-2000. In late 2006, she became the Executive Director of the Lombard Historical Society, where she managed two historic house museums in Lombard, IL, including the Sheldon Peck Homestead, listed on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Angel is a 2010 graduate of the prestigious Seminar for Historical Administration. She also served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Museums, a statewide museum professional organization with offices in Springfield and Chicago, from November 2013 to April 2015 and currently serves as its President. She was accepted to the Illinois Humanities Council “Road Scholar Speaker Bureau” from 2013-2025. From 2015-2019 she served as the Executive Director of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. In 2019, Angel joined the staff at Naper Settlement and serves as the Associate Vice President of Humanities and was a leader in Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western US, Women: Waves of Change, and the Thresher Experience among other award-winning projects. In November of 2025, she returned to the Nineteenth Century as Executive Director. Christy Akinsanmi, Office Assistant Recent Columbia College graduate and South Side Chicago resident Christianah Akinsanmi is NCAA's new office assistant! With an MFA in Devised Theater and years nonprofit experience, Christy is eager to bring her work ethic, collaborative spirit, and positivity into the workplace. Christy just returned from a year abroad in Berlin studying theatre so feel free to come in and say "Guten Tag"! She enjoys seeing new plays, organizing with her community on the South Chicago or practicing Jiu Jitsu. She is ready to dive in, listen, and learn more about how to best serve NCCA. John "Woody" Linton, Sales and Events Manager John “Woody” Linton started cooking at the age of 14 in his hometown of Kenosha, WI. Upon graduation, he sought out Hyde Park to attend the Culinary Institute of America. His first landing was in Scottsdale, AZ, working at the award-winning restaurant Vu with Chef William Bradley. Following this milestone, John helped open The Alto Ristorante at the Hyatt Regency, Scottsdale. John has also worked at Lake Park Bistro in Milwaukee, the Bohemian Grove in Northern California, and seasonally at the Talon Lodge in Sitka, AK, as their Executive Chef. Most recently he was the Executive chef of Hearth restaurant in Evanston (where he remains as a consultant). He helps out Venge Vineyards in Calistoga, CA, and is the Executive Chef for Oak Park Banquets at the Nineteenth Century. Zack Todden, Executive Chef Zach started cooking at a family owned diner in his small hometown in Iowa while in high school. Enlisting in the Army right out of high school, along with working in various other industries for the next decade. While enrolled at The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, he got to experience working in a wide array of fine dining restaurants such as, The Old Town Brasserie, Alinea, and Cibo Matto. Continuing his culinary career in Florida before moving back to The Chicagoland Area, took him into several types of cuisines and restaurants; varying from Spanish Tapas, Steakhouses, Caribbean, BBQ and Southern Comfort. He continues to strive for creating food that helps enrich people's lives and is just enjoyable. With a focus on trying to utilize the freshest quality ingredients, as well as a focus on local sellers and sustainable practices. Ryan McClory, Event Manager Ryan McClory brings over 20 years of food and beverage experience and knowledge to the Nineteenth Century. Ryan’s background in the industry include fine dining restaurant management, boutique hotel banquet captain, and private event and catering management. Ryan’s commitment and desire to provide the ultimate guest experience is marked through his attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, spectacular customer service, and his overall caring and genuine attitude. Ryan resides in the Oak Park area with his husband and two dogs. He’s a die hard Cubs fan and enjoys gardening in his yard and golfing in his free time.
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