Chicago, IL
Company Member since 2023

Pam studied ballet and jazz from ages 7 to 17 and attended summer workshops in Chicago with world- famous Broadway and film choreographer Gus Giordano. Pam enjoyed performing in musicals throughout high school and college. Fittingly, in college, she majored in costume design and ran the costume lab. She then moved to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago;s fashion department and was lucky enough to have one of her designs selected for and featured in the Chicago Tribune's annual show. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois, Springfield, graduating summa cum laude. She worked as an interior designer; was an Illinois State licensed Interior Designer, a professional member of A.S.I.D., a PMP (project management professional); and owned her own business for 15 years.

When she and her husband got married, he had 3 kids, and she had 1, whom he later adopted. Then they adopted a daughter from a Russian orphanage, and about a year later discovered that their youngest son was on his way. Their children have every possible combination of siblings. Pam was a Girl Scout leader for eleven years and a national council delegate for nine years. She was a strong advocate for girls with disabilities and initiated council training for other leaders. When the girls were in high school, she took them to Savannah, Georgia, and to the World Center for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in Mexico. They earned the money from selling roasted corn at their local Labor Day weekend celebration, Buffalo Grove Days, and, of course, from cookie sales. They also interacted with the younger girls, Brownies and Juniors, so they would see what seniors did to encourage them not to drop out in middle school. Later in life, she became the education coordinator for Joann Fabrics and oversaw the largest program in the upper Midwest.

Since moving to Leland in 2017, she has taken Osher Lifelong Learning classes, kayaked, and continues to enjoy quilting, crocheting, knitting, paper crafting, ceramics, and stained glass. Pam is Communications Chair for the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival and President of Bnai Israel Congregation. She was Chairperson of the Synagogue’s long renovation project, which included a total transformation of the sanctuary.

After the Hi-Steppers performed at her synagogue, she spoke to Felice about how much fun it looked. Eventually, she went to a class “just to watch” but was pulled onto the dance floor. She bought her first pair of tap shoes that day. Pam had never taken a tap dance class until she joined The Hi-Steppers and says, “I am truly fortunate to be a part of this troupe. There is great camaraderie, and Tina is very patient and talented. She meets all of us at our level and brings out the best in us.”

Her fondest memory of The Hi-Steppers is “when Elena broke the tension while we were waiting in the green room before our state competition. She got up and started dancing spontaneously. We all laughed, and many joined in. Spending two days with everyone helped cement the sisterhood we have.”