MARY ALEXANDER-BASTA

Mary and her husband, Dr. Emad Basta, moved to Bolingbrook in November 2003. They are parents of two sons, Peter (16) and Benjamin (15). Bolingbrook was their choice, because of its diversity and for all of the amenities that others have also found attractive about the community.  While she found her career challenging and satisfying, she and her husband also wanted to raise a family here. Mary worked in the hospitality industry and left the corporate world to start a family. As her children grew, Mary found herself seeking more adult interaction, so she looked for ways to get involved, which led her to serving in the PTA.  In all of her activities, both professional and community service, Mary enjoys problem-solving; finding ways to work smarter, not harder; and to take projects to the next level of success.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Basta family is very involved in service to the Village of Bolingbrook and can be seen at many local events. Mary states that she was strongly influenced toward community involvement by her parents. Both her mother and her uncle are also residents of Bolingbrook. Mary has a passion for youth development, she currently serves on the Executive Board of the Bolingbrook Soccer Club. The Soccer Club celebrated its 40th year of “Service to Youth” in Bolingbrook in 2018. 

 

Mary’s dedication to youth development has led her to support the school community as past PTA President of the Eichelberger Elementary School, past PTA President at the John F. Kennedy Middle School, Past President of the Plainfield Middle Schools Music Boosters, and is a current CAPE Representative (Coordination of Parent and groups for Educational Efficiency) for Plainfield East High School. 

 

She continues to serve as a consultant for ECN Children’s Cancer Network in Newport Beach, CA. Where she maintains the organization’s legal registration status and works with auditors to ensure accurate financial reporting.  Her community service is not limited to only youth, Mary previously served as President of the Bloomfield West II Homeowners Association.  Mary served as the Chair of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, which reviews new residential and commercial development in Bolingbrook and makes recommendations to the Village Board.   Mary was Founding Vice President of Bolingbrook STEM Organization (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Association for youth.

 

EDUCATION

Mary studied Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Hospitality Management at Tennessee State University.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Her professional background includes Hotel and Club Management at locations such as the Palmer House Hilton, Four Seasons, and the Chicago Yacht Club where she became the first female General Manager in the Club’s 125-year history and Social and Corporate Event Planning. She currently works as an independent Hospitality and Event Consultant.

 

RECOGNITIONS

Mary has received recognition as the recipient of the CAPE Award (Coordination of Parent and groups for Educational Efficiency) for Plainfield School District 202 in 2013, 2017 and 2019. 

In honor of her exemplary service to the Bolingbrook community over the years, Mary was chosen as the 2018 Bolingbrook Female Citizen of the Year.

 

SUMMARY

● Mayor of the Village of Bolingbrook

● Bolingbrook Village Trustee

● Serves on the Village’s Public Safety Committee and the Public Services Committee

● Thirty plus years of experience in major corporate hospitality management and event planning. She studied Hospitality Management at Tennessee State University

● Experienced in Village Planning and Development; served as Chair of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission

● Active leader in the School District community; past PTA President at both Eichelberger Elementary School and John F. Kennedy Middle School, CAPE Representative for Plainfield East High School; Return to School Parent Advisory Committee for Plainfield School District 

● Serves as an Executive Board member of the 40 plus-year old Bolingbrook Soccer Club

● Founding Vice President of Bolingbrook STEM Organization (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Association for youth

● Dedicated wife, and mother of two sons

● 2018 Bolingbrook Female Citizen of the Year

● Active member of Saint Mark of Burr Ridge Church Community