Joanna Lago is a ten-year resident of La Grange Park where she resides with her husband, Felipe, and their two elementary-aged sons. When she is not carpooling her kids to soccer practice, coordinating block parties, helping her parents, LaGrange’s Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka HOHOHoglund, book events in the area, or attending D102 meetings, she serves as Principal at Sherlock Elementary School, a Pre-K through 6th grade school in Cicero, IL. An enthusiastic, compassionate, and knowledgeable educational leader, Joanna has been a school principal for the past 8 years. Leading her school to improve their State Report card to “Commendable” status, Joanna has worked tirelessly to apply best practices in literacy instruction which led to a significant increase in student achievement data. This year, Joanna is bringing her expertise as an educator to her own community, hopeful she will have the opportunity to serve on District 102’s Board of Education. Join Joanna in advocating for our community’s future.
Jaime Zaura was appointed to the Board in 2015 and elected in 2017. Ms. Zaura is a licensed architect and co-founded her firm, 845 Design Group, in 2013. 845 Design Group is a certified Women-Owned Business and specializes in commercial architectural design. Ms. Zaura received her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois of Chicago and soon after completed a Masters of Business Administration. Ms. Zaura was formerly a member of the Sustainable Commission and served on the La Grange Park Zoning Board of Appeals for four years. Serving on the Board of Trustees has always been a goal of Ms. Zaura. As an architect with extensive experience working on public projects, she understands the importance of community involvement and creating an environment that will serve the community as well as future generations.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode highlights how leadership principles translate across industries and communities. By combining strategy, strong relationships, and ambitious vision, leaders can create lasting impact in both business and civic environments.
In this Episode, We Discuss:
- Applying Business Strategies to Education:
- Innovative Teacher Recruitment and Support:
- Community and Civic Engagement:
- Economic Development and Local Highlights:
Conversation Takeaways
- You can bring business principles into education by using diverse metrics, like state tests, perception surveys, and teacher morale, to measure student achievement. You also play a crucial role in tackling post-pandemic challenges like mental health and learning gaps with a strategic approach.
- You can explore creative ways to strengthen the teaching workforce, such as recruiting bilingual teachers from places like Puerto Rico or offering incentives like education funding to attract and support educators.
- You have the power to make a difference by volunteering for school board or trustee positions and fostering accountability in education. By engaging with your community, you contribute to shaping local governance and supporting educators.
- You can be part of driving growth in small municipalities by supporting initiatives like expanding parking and attracting businesses. And don’t forget to appreciate local gems, like the highly recommended Freddy’s restaurant in Cicero.
A Quote To Remember
“Shooting for the stars is not a bad thing.” – Joanna Lago
Light Bulb Moments – Episode 65
Shooting for the Stars: Community Leadership in Action with Joanna Lago and Jaime Zaura
The Light Bulb Moment of This Episode
Leadership-whether in business, education, or community-relies on strategy, relationships, and vision. When you apply thoughtful structure, build trust, and aim high, you create meaningful impact across any organization.
Light Bulb Moments & Reflections from the Episode
- Learn from different sectors.
Insights from nonprofits, education, and business can all inform better decision-making.
- Apply business principles broadly.
Strategic thinking and structure can improve organizations beyond traditional business settings.
- Use leadership roles to drive improvement.
Applying thoughtful frameworks can strengthen systems like schools and community institutions.
- Relationships are foundational.
Trust and connection are essential to building support and credibility.
- Community trust drives growth.
People are more likely to engage when they believe in your leadership.
- Be strategic in your thinking.
Thoughtful planning helps guide better outcomes.
- Set ambitious goals.
Shooting for the stars creates momentum and inspires progress.
- New formats and perspectives create value.
Trying different approaches can deepen understanding and engagement.
Connect with Joanna Lago:
Website: https://lago102.com/
Note: Early Voting takes place from 3/17/25-3/31/25 at Brookfield Village Hall (8820 Brookfield Ave Brookfield, IL) or Lyons Village Hall (4200 S Lawndale Ave Lyons, IL)
Connect with Jamie Zaura:
Website: https://845designgroup.com/
Connect with Me:
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