Rita Hayworth Gala Leadership
Gala Founder
Princess Yasmin Aga Khan
2026 Gala Chairs
Greg & Linda Leonberger
Greg and Linda began supporting the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Linda’s grandmother, Helen Krull, who passed away from the disease. Their passion and dedication to the cause increased when Linda’s father, James Kwapis, was also diagnosed and ultimately passed away from Alzheimer’s. Through both of these battles, Greg and Linda saw firsthand how the disease not only affects the person but also their entire ecosystem of friends, family, and community.
Linda has served on the Illinois Chapter Junior Board, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee, and the Rita Hayworth Gala Steering Committee. She has spent her career in human resources and is currently the Senior Director of Leadership, Development, and Careers at R1 RCM. Greg has supported the cause by raising funds, including sponsorship from his firm Marquette Associates where he is a partner and the Director of Research.
Along with the steering committee, Greg and Linda look forward to a successful, impactful, and fun event and hope you will join us at the Rita Hayworth Gala on Saturday, May 9, 2026!
Gala Steering Committee
Catherine Bannister
Jaclyn Cantore
Yana & Leonard Cohen
Susan & Jim Draddy
Tara Gibney
Allie & Jon Harris
Corey Fitzpatrick Huth
Linda Leonberger
Fifi & Ron Levin
Sharon & Scott Markman
Leslie & David McGranahan
Linda & Bob Mendelson
David Moscow
Maggie & Michael Murzanski
Phoebe & Michael Nitekman
Sadruddin Noorani
Samantha Parker
Debra & Michael Pelech
Joan & Paul Rubschlager
Amy & Stuart Savitz
Lucia Stellato
Lori & Craig Stern
Jerome H. Stone Family: Jim Stone, Ellen Stone Belic, and Cynthia Stone Raskin
Leslie & David Storch
Barbie & Bruce Taylor
Holly & Jeffrey Taylor
Rozmin & Ebrahim Valliani

