Terry Grossberg enjoys his term on the Park Board and serves as the Park Board liaison to the Human Relations Advisory Group (HRAG). He is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Music Education as well. Terry retired from teaching in 2022 after 36 years in education at all levels.
Terry and his wife Marla moved to Highland Park in 1993. They made the move in part because of the parks and lakefront which made Highland Park stand out above other communities. Along with their two children, Emily and Danny, they are still proud to call Highland Park home.
Terry is a passionate volunteer and dedicates much of his free time to a variety of causes. Aside from his work with the HRAG, he also helps organize the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service, volunteers at the Moraine Township Food Pantry and helps out around the city and township whenever he is needed.
Terry’s new endeavor is as a Teen Board Advisor for Gratitude Generation, a local charitable organization whose mission is to instill gratitude in future generations through education and service. Additionally, he is the Conductor and Director of Music of the Crystal Lake Community Band in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Terry is an avid tennis, paddle and pickleball player who also enjoys finding sea glass at Moraine Beach, taking walks to Millard Beach and The Preserve with his family and their dog Shady, and of course hitting the links at Sunset Valley Golf Club.
Jen began her journey of local voluntarism shortly after settling in Highland Park in 2010. She has held leadership positions on community boards and committees such as the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Highland Park Historical Society, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), NSSD 112 Caucus and NSSD112 Reconfiguration 2.0 Community Team. As a board member for the Parks Foundation of Highland Park she worked closely with the Park District administration to help raise awareness and funding for the SMILE Grant-in-Aid program for those in our community who are financially unable to participate in Park District programming.
Jen is a former practicing litigator and currently holds a senior business development role for a Chicago tech company. Prior to this, she leveraged her litigation and legislative/regulatory expertise into a fifteen-year tenure in legal tech consulting for two large advisory firms.
Jen appreciates the effort and planning it takes to balance a budget and achieve balance as a working mom. With three elementary-aged kids, her personal experience with Park District facilities and programs inspired her to participate in the success and innovation of both going forward. She champions intergovernmental cooperation and has considerable knowledge of and familiarity with other local governing entities and organizations. Jen brings her dedication to Highland Park, knowledge of and love for the Park District, and prior local board experience to the Park Board.
Josie is a dedicated Highland Park resident, where she lives with her husband and two school-aged sons who actively participate in Park District programs. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience in business, community service, and nonprofit management to the Park District Board.
Josie holds a B.A. in Zoology from Miami University in Ohio and spent 10 years leading high-performing medical device sales teams. Most recently, she served as President of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, where she led fundraising efforts, advanced community initiatives, and championed equitable access to recreation. She is also the founder of Growing Happiness Garden Design, a business focused on creating sustainable, wellness-centered outdoor spaces.
As Commissioner, Josie is committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, innovative thinking, and expanding inclusive access to high-quality recreational opportunities. Her goal is to build on the Park District’s strong foundation to foster a healthier, happier, and more connected community.
Steve Greenberg has been a proud Highland Park resident since 1965. He describes himself as an artist, earth advocate, and educator—continuously evolving in his passionate commitment to the people, parks, and natural areas that define the Highland Park community.
A husband, father, and grandfather, Steve and his wife Susie raised three children in Highland Park. Their children participated in Park District programs and camps and have gone on to lead successful lives in both their careers and parenting. Now married with children of their own, they’ve given Steve and Susie the blessing of grandchildren who already share a love for the parks and playgrounds of Highland Park.
Steve’s practical mindset guides his focus on understanding local ecosystems and stewarding the natural world. His accomplishments include contributions to ecological restoration, education, and community leadership, engaging residents of all ages in learning about, caring for, and preserving natural spaces.
As a business leader with over 45 years of experience, Steve has demonstrated his strong ability to solve problems, building partnerships, and delivering sustainable solutions for a wide range of stakeholders.
Through decades of service, Steve has remained committed to preserving Highland Park’s natural areas, enhancing community programs, and ensuring that all residents have opportunities to connect with nature, stay active, and live fulfilling lives.
Rafael Labrador joined the Park Board in August 2024 as an appointee filling a vacancy. Prior to joining the Board, Rafael has been a dedicated and active member of the community and the Park District for many years.
He served as the president of the Parks Foundation from 2021 – August 2024. Under his leadership, the Foundation successfully raised over $1 million to support scholarships and fill funding gaps in various important Park District projects.
Alongside strengthening the relationship between the Parks Foundation and the District, Rafael also contributed as a resident member of the Park District’s Efficiency Committee in 2023. The committee’s focus was to analyze the district’s governing statutes, ordinances, rules, procedures, powers, shared services, and intergovernmental agreements with other governmental units.
