Kevin Koen, President

Kevin Koen took the tutor training workshop in March of 1992 and started tutoring his first student a year later. He has since tutored over a dozen students. Kevin was elected to the TLC Board of Directors in June 1996 and then Treasurer in June of 1997. He has served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President at various times. He is currently in his sixth term as President. He has also served on the Fund Development Committee and the Nominating Committee. Kevin has served for over 25 years on the Tutor Training Committee and serves in that capacity at present.

Kathy Diehl, Vice-President

After her retirement as Director of Compliance for the Kansas Securities Commissioner’s Office, Kathy Diehl attended Tutor Training in 2012 and has tutored several students since that time and continues to tutor currently.  She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019 and currently serves as Vice President.  In 2023 she formed the Public Relations Committee with the goal of educating the public about the mission and activities of the Topeka Literacy Council. 

Deb Bryan Ellerbrook, Secretary

Deb Bryan Ellerbrook has been involved with the Topeka Literacy Council for over a decade. She has a passion for reading and can’t imagine not being able to enjoy the many benefits that reading adds to our lives. Deb moved to Topeka in 2000 to start working as a Public Services Librarian at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Her involvement with the literacy council began with attending a tutor training workshop. After a brief stint as a tutor, Deb found that the best way she could serve TLC was by becoming involved as a board member. She currently serves as the secretary for the Board of Directors and also as a trainer for the Tutor Training workshops. She also still works full time at the public library – if you see her there be sure to stop by and say hi, she would love to talk about literacy or about books with you.

Robin Sweeney, Treasurer

Robin Sweeney took her tutor training in 2001 in Virginia. After returning to Topeka she began tutoring in 2017 and joined the Topeka Literacy Council Board the same year. She became the Treasurer in 2022 and serves in that position today.

Bobbie Anderson, Board Member

Bobbie Anderson attended Laubach Literacy’s “Each One Teach One” volunteer tutor training in Kansas City, Kansas in 1964. She then began her career of sharing skills with adults from all over the world. She has tutored many students in basic literacy and English as another language.

Additionally, her regional and state-wide training led to volunteer and paid positions everywhere she has lived. Now, volunteer tutoring and training continue to be important activities in my retirement years in Topeka.

Becky Henry, Board Member

After retiring in 2014 from a long career in Information Technology at Security Benefit, Becky Henry attended Topeka Literacy Council tutor training in 2015 and began one-on-one tutoring shortly after. In 2017 she began serving as a trainer for other tutors and continues in that role. She has served as a board member since 2019.

Chris Baker, Student / Tutor Coordinator

Chris Baker first became interested in volunteering her support for literacy in 1989. An avid reader, she opened a library book when a bookmark fell into her lap, offering the services of the local literacy council and that led to her first volunteer efforts. A few years later, Chris moved to Topeka and began volunteering with the Topeka Literacy Council in 1993. She served as a tutor and remains involved by serving as the Student / Tutor Coordinator, member of the board, and as a trainer for other tutors.

Lorraine Donovan, Board Member

Lorraine is a third generation teacher and freelance writer. She began tutoring her first Topeka Literacy Council student in 2024, when she was elected to the Board of Directors. Lorraine enjoys working as a personal trainer and coordinating book clubs. She currently serves on the TLC fund development committee.

Greg Serkasevich, Board Member

A lifelong reader, he credits his Grandmother for fostering an environment of reading. Greg moved to Topeka in 2021 and has served as a board member since 2024.

Mariella Ferrell, Board Member

Mariella Ferrell retired from Topeka High school where she taught Spanish as a second language. After that she worked for TARC, first as an interpreter and later as a Special Educator for Hispanic families with children at risk. She retired again in 2016. She joined the TLC Board of Directors in 2020 and was re-elected for two-year terms in June 2022 and June 2024.