Candidates for District 27 School Board

OPI AKUFFO

Hello friends and neighbors, my name is Opi Akuffo, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the District 27 School Board. Our family has lived in Northbrook for 12+ years, and our two children attend Shabonee and Wood Oaks.

My educational background includes a B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology and an MBA from Cornell University. I also serve as a member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network. My professional background is in finance, with a career that spans from corporate finance and strategy. I currently work as a finance executive for a healthcare technology organization

I believe that my background and professional experience will allow me to partner with other District 27 Board members, students, parents, and other educational leaders to create a shared vision for high academic achievement in our district by establishing a rigorous culture of learning and high academic standards.

martha carlos

Martha Carlos has more than more than two decades of marketing, media and public relations experience in healthcare, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She spent 10 years at the American Red Cross of Illinois, most recently as chief communications officer managing all things marketing, communications and government relations efforts for the nonprofit. She also served on a special team of crisis communicators who were deployed to serve as national spokespeople in times of disaster. She has led communications efforts for the American Brain Tumor Association, the University of Illinois Cancer Center and Youth Outreach Services. Martha has been a member of the school board since January 2020 and serves as chair of both the policy and curriculum committees and is a member of the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Innovation) committee. She lives in Northbrook with her husband, 3 children (all current District 27 students) and dog.

JACK WADDLE

I've been a resident of Northbrook for 28 years, including the first 18 years of my life. I went through District 27 schools and graduated from GBN. I attended the University of Kentucky and earned a BA in Political Science. I then returned to the northern suburbs, living in Palatine, Evanston, and Grayslake, before my wife and I moved to Northbrook in 2012. Shortly after, our daughter, who is now in second grade at Hickory Point joined us. You may see us walking around Charlemagne with our two dogs, Waffles and Willa. I also earned my JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and an MA in Teaching Secondary Education - Social Studies from National Louis University.

I am currently the Social Studies Department Chair at Carmel Catholic High School. I also teach US History, US Government, Comparative Government, Criminal Justice, and Criminal Law. I am passionate about civics education. I am a Deputy Registrar for the Lake County Clerk - meaning I can register eligible Carmel students to vote; I have hosted candidate forums and debate watch parties at Carmel to help educate the students; and I have led field trips taking students to vote (which have received coverage in the Daily Herald and by ABC 7).

On the District 27 School Board, I hope to ensure that all stakeholders are represented in the decisions of the board - students first, but also teachers, administration, and the community at large. I will also seek to promote age-appropriate civics education across the curriculum.