By Kristin Boza
Meet Maureen Gainer Reilly, BAPA board president. Gainer Reilly has served on the board for three years, the past two as president. Her role at BAPA is to work to promote the Beverly/Morgan Park community to residents throughout the city, while also connecting neighbors and acting as an advisor to BAPA staff.
Gainer Reilly spent the early part of her career in a variety of non-profit and social service organizations. In 2003, she started her own consulting firm, GO Consulting, which provides services in Project Management and Process Improvement. “My work enables me to assist BAPA and its small but mighty staff as they work to constantly improve the organization,” she said.
A native Beverly/Morgan Park resident and part of a family that routinely supported BAPA, she, like many, moved away from the area for a while. However, again like many in the neighborhood, she knew she would make her way back once she started her family. “I am part of BAPA because my hope is that my children will be drawn back to live a couple blocks from us after they have traveled the world. I share my time with BAPA because I also hope that people from all over the city will be drawn here, bringing their ideas, energy, and fresh perspective,” Gainer Reilly said. “People are drawn here because we have incredible talent in this neighborhood in so many groups, alliances, and businesses that are collaborating to bring art, culture, beauty, and amenities to our streets.”
The excitement and commitment to the cause of creating a vibrant and whole community is what drives Gainer Reilly. “BAPA events that connect neighbors and build community feed the programs that support our schools, preserve our historic homes, beautify our streets, and keep our neighborhood vibrant,” she said. “The Richard Driehaus Charitable Trust is known to support only organizations that have a track record of success, strong leadership, and efficient management. The response to our recent Dreihaus campaign was overwhelming! People believe in the mission and the show of financial support is humbling and motivating to our staff and Board of Directors.”
Connect with BAPA in 2019; come to an event, read about neighbors in The Villager, volunteer, call the office for a quality trade referral, plant a tree with us, and help us make you Love Where You Live.
