Northeast Ohio Chapter
Board of Directors
Learn more below!
Carol Szczepanik
Chair
Carol Szczepanik is an attorney and the owner of the Law Office of Carol A. Szczepanik, LLC. She has been involved in either committee or board work with various organizations over the past thirty-plus years, including the Junior Leagues of Cleveland and Akron; Light of Hearts Villa; the Cleveland Orchestra; Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio; and the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. She brings to the Special Wish Foundation’s board her experience on various boards and her commitment to helping to fulfill the dreams of children who are courageously battling serious medical diagnoses. Children will always hold a special place in her heart.
Anca Kocian
Member
Anca Kocian is honored to be a Board Member of an organization that brings hope, joy and unforgettable experiences to children and their families. With a background in medical sales and an MBA, she is an avid volunteer and passionate about giving back and making a meaningful difference in the community. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children and their beloved dog, as well as traveling and staying active.
Anne Fleming Anderson
Member
Anne Fleming Anderson is a board member of A Special Wish Foundation Northeast Ohio Chapter. Anne is a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She resides in Westlake, Ohio, with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Nick. Outside of her clinical practice, she enjoys attending Cleveland sporting events and giving back to the community through her non-profit work.
Aparna Pillay
Member
Aparna Pillay is a Board-certified healthcare executive and non-profit leader with nearly two decades of experience in developing transformational strategy. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Strategic Planning at Medical City Healthcare. A dedicated community volunteer, she has served on the Board in leadership roles in a number of organizations. Aparna lives in Brecksville with her husband, Tim, and rescue Shar Pei, Stella, and enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and cheering on Ohio State and Cleveland sports.
Michelle Freeman
Member
Michelle Freeman is Senior Counsel at The Sherwin-Williams Company, where she advises the Global Architectural business on a broad range of marketing and advertising legal matters. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
​
Michelle lives in Bath, Ohio, with her husband, Adam, and their two daughters. When she’s not working, Michelle enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, and learning to play golf and pickleball.
Rebekah Nilges
Member
Rebekah Nilges is a graduate of The University of Toledo and co-owner of LexTriage, LLC, alongside her husband, Hans. She also serves as Firm Administrator at Nilges Legal Group, LLC. A lifelong Northeast Ohio resident, Rebekah is passionate about community service and actively supports several local organizations, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Orchestra, and Music from the Western Reserve. In her free time, she enjoys art, music, traveling, and spending time with her family. Rebekah is honored to join the Board of A Special Wish Foundation of Northeast Ohio and looks forward to helping bring joy and hope to children and families facing serious medical challenges.
Katie Stults
Member
Katie Stults is an Intervention Specialist in the Berea City School District, where she works with children ages 3–5, including students with special needs and their typically developing peers. With over 18 years of teaching experience, Katie is passionate about early childhood education and making a positive impact on young learners. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband, Todd, have two children, Patrick and Ellie. Together, they enjoy trying new restaurants, traveling, cooking, and watching movies. Katie and her family reside in Fairview Park, Ohio, where she also grew up.