Meet the Bryn Mawr Alliance
Meet the Bryn Mawr Alliance! In this post you’ll find the mission, vision, and team introductions for this group of engaged community members working on the revitalization of the Bryn Mawr Historic District. We’ll also let you know how you can get involved!
MISSION
The Bryn Mawr Alliance is an amazing team of community members and professionals who are coming together to develop strategies and recommendations for revitalization of the Bryn Mawr Historic District. The alliance collaborates with residents, small businesses, institutions, building owners, and interested stakeholders to further envision a thriving Bryn Mawr historic district. Through regular meetings, community engagement, blending the past with the future, research and initiatives, the Bryn Mawr Task Force will look at all angles: infrastructure, opportunity sites, proactive development, and equitable public safety to ensure the future, charm, and sustainability of the national historic commercial corridor. We formed five key committees with community members bringing their expertise: Arts & Historic Preservation, Brand & Marketing, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Infrastructure & Development.
VISION
The Bryn Mawr Historic District is a thriving, pedestrian-oriented business district and destination that represents our diverse community, preserves historic charm, supports small-businesses, and celebrates arts and culture to strengthen the street’s future.
VOLUNTEER WITH THE BRYN MAWR ALLIANCE
The Bryn Mawr Alliance will conduct various engagements with the community to gather ideas and feedback. They are seeking volunteers to help on committees, especially Edgewater residents who have expertise in economic development, brand & marketing, and community relations. If interested, please reach out to development@the48thward.org.
We also encourage building owners and retailers along the Bryn Mawr Historic District who want to join the coaltion to reach out to development@the48thward.org.
MEET THE TEAM
TODD BAISCH - Chair
In December 2020, Todd founded his studio, TBD Todd Baisch Strategy + Design, to use design thinking, creativity, and architectural training to unite people, places and ideas to take on complex problems in the built environment and shape new futures. His 35-year career working for some of the world’s top design firms built his abilities to thrive on solving complex problems with user-centered research, data analytics, applied knowledge and iterative ideation. He is a seasoned leader who builds multilateral relationships and strives for clear communications.
He has always lived on or near Bryn Mawr since moving to Edgewater in 1989. His goal for Bryn Mawr is to respect its history while forging a future that makes the district a destination and experience like no other in the city.
JUSTIN CARMIEN - Community Engagement Sub-Committee Leader
Justin is co-chair of the Edgewater Beach Neighborhood Association, facilitator for CPD’s 20th District 2023 CAPS meeting, and a communications designer at a local government think tank, the Government Finance Officers Association. He has also written several books within the field of political philosophy. His interest is nurturing the development of our democracy infrastructure.
THOM GREENE - Infrastructure & Development Sub-Committee Leader
Thom is an award-winning architect practicing in Edgewater for the past 37 years. He is passionate about historic preservation, photography and creating great architecture. He was a co-founder of the Edgewater Historical Society and was pivotal in founding the Bryn Mawr District and gaining registration as a national historic place. His work to restore the two largest historic buildings on Bryn Mawr, The Belle Shore and The Bryn Mawr Apartment Hotel, along with his vision for the streetscape, lighting design and signage was set in place in the mid 1990s.
He was the creator of the Andersonville Streetscaping & Historic District. He believes that the Bryn Mawr District is one of the most charming and architecturally significant in the city and knows that new construction, along with restoration will revitalize the district connecting Bryn Mawr Avenue with our amazing lakefront.
GENELL SCHEURELL - Arts & Historic Preservation Sub-Committee Leader
Genell Scheurell has had a variety of work experiences from that of a high school educator to 20 years of customer satisfaction strategic planning at a Fortune 100 company. Most recently she was a Senior Field Officer at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. With almost 15 years of field experience,Genell directed historic preservation education and advocacy efforts, along with consultation on organizational development of statewide and local non-profit organizations in the Midwest Region.
Over the course of her career, Genell addressed major preservation opportunities concerning teardowns, rural heritage, sustainability and rightsizing. She launched and facilitated the Chicago Suburban Alliance, a coalition of groups formed to address the teardown issue, and founded the Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation, a local non-profit advocacy group.
Genell and her husband discovered the Edgewater neighborhood after moving to the Chicago area in 1997 and were able to live their dream by moving into the Edgewater Beach Apartments seven years ago. Genell wants to see the Edgewater neighborhood, and specifically Bryn Mawr Avenue, revitalized by focusing on and promoting its unique historic character.
JAMES HOLBROOK - Member at Large
James Holbrook is an actor, artist and producer. He founded Poet Ape Productions in 2022 "To spark extraordinary human connection through transformative live experiences, no matter the form or medium.". His company is hoping to find their permanent home on Bryn Mawr Avenue, playing their part in helping to revitalize this vital neighborhood corridor.
JOHN LASWICK - Economic Development Sub-Committee Leader
John Laswick enjoyed a long career in urban development at the federal and local government levels as well as with several non-profit and private organizations. He gained expertise in affordable housing, microenterprise programs, commercial revitalization, real estate marketing and finance, and creation of art-space. He believes that effective neighborhood revitalization programs depend on Community-driven planning, Comprehensive programming (addressing environmental/social/economic forces) and Collaborative implementation. He retired to Edgewater because its social fabric embodies these principles and made it one of the finest neighborhoods in America.
DARYL SNEED - Member at Large
After initially pursuing a pre-med/biochemistry major, Daryl Sneed found his true passion when he pursued an MBA right after completing his undergraduate degree. His professional journey has been diverse, spanning management consulting, health care, talent management, and fashion/creative entrepreneurship, all centered around the concept of "creating impactful change".
Daryl's career began in the corporate world as a healthcare provider management consultant with three prominent consultancy organizations - Arthur Andersen, Computer Science Corporation (CSC), and Sg2. He later transitioned into the role of people operations/talent/culture executive with healthcare advisory and analytics firm, Sg2 and healthcare digital innovation intelligence and consultancy, AVIA.
Despite his background in science and math, Daryl harbored a deep-seated desire to explore more creative endeavors. He put his consulting and project management skills to the test by immersing himself in the development of a women’s modern heritage brand called ricorso, all while maintaining a full-time job.
In 2016, Daryl decided to further indulge his passion for fashion and design by co-founding the streetwear lifestyle design brand, SOUNDOFF. This venture allowed him to incorporate his other interests such as art, streetwear, and social causes. Now, Daryl leads SOUNDOFF as CEO and Creative Lead, putting his entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision into practice.
RACHEL WEISS - Member at Large supporting Community Engagement
Rachel is a newer Edgewater resident, having lived in the neighborhood since 2021. She is a service designer who uses research to understand and improve the experience interacting with digital or in-person services.
KAREN WOLLINS - Member at Large
Karen Wollins, a fresh fish enthusiast and Ohio native turned Chicagoan, grew up knowing little beyond fish sticks. That changed after a post-college trip to Greece, where she discovered the joys of fresh seafood. Inspired by the lack of fresh, sustainable seafood options in Chicago, she founded Hooked on Fish in 2014. Since 2022, Hooked on Fish has operated from a historic building at Bryn Mawr and Kenmore—originally home to grocers beginning in 1923—reviving the tradition of quality food in the space.