Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Master Connecter, Difference Maker, & Relationship Builder

Known as a master connector, Dean is a passionate relationship builder who understands the value of referral marketing and the power of a quality introduction. He brings pay-it-forward leadership to monthly TNG meetings, creating a forum through which members can organically build their networks, exchange ideas, and cultivate new business opportunities. Through his love of baseball and his unrelenting desire to positively impact the lives of special needs children, he pursues his life purpose in directing the Keshet Buddy Baseball program, a noncompetitive recreational league he founded, while deepening his involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy.

Master Connecter, Difference Maker, & Relationship Builder

Known as a master connector, Dean is a passionate relationship builder who understands the value of referral marketing and the power of a quality introduction. He brings pay-it-forward leadership to monthly TNG meetings, creating a forum through which members can organically build their networks, exchange ideas, and cultivate new business opportunities. Through his love of baseball and his unrelenting desire to positively impact the lives of special needs children, he pursues his life purpose in directing the Keshet Buddy Baseball program, a noncompetitive recreational league he founded, while deepening his involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy.

Education

  • Northern Illinois University (1974-1978)
  • Niles North High School (1970-1974)
  • American College
    • Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) (1993)
    • Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) (1991)

Top Skills

  • Non-Profits
  • Disability Insurance
  • Selling

Publications

  • Nine Estate Planning Tips for Children with Special Needs

Honors & Awards

  • Bill Reid Community Service Award
  • Distinguished Alumni Award
  • Teach & Inspire Award
  • Guardian of Hope

The Networking Group

The Networking Group (TNG) is a Northbrook, Illinois based organization of business owners, professional service providers, and entrepreneurs who subscribe to a “giver’s gain” approach to networking. The group, which was founded in 1992 at a delicatessen on Chicago’s North Shore, has grown to over 100 members in noncompetitive fields who support each other through peer advisory, referrals, and camaraderie. Dean is a Founder and Executive Director since 1992 of Chicago’s premier networking group.

In his role as facilitator, Founder, and Executive Director, Dean presides over monthly meetings that explore how members can make a difference in the lives of their clients and colleagues as well as in the communities they serve. Additionally, each meeting spotlights a different local charity for which donations from TNG members are collected and graciously gifted.
Dean is one of the most selfless people I know. He founded Buddy Baseball to help kids with special needs...

Dean is one of the most selfless people I know. He founded Buddy Baseball to help kids with special needs and has devoted himself and his entire family to the cause. I’m honored to call him a friend.

Corey Schiff

President, CS Beverage Solutions

Dean is a tireless advocate for kids with special needs. Through Buddy Baseball, he and his family have made a...

Dean is a tireless advocate for kids with special needs. Through Buddy Baseball, he and his family have made a lasting impact. I can’t recommend him highly enough.

Michael Jimmerson

eDiscovery Professional

Dean is the consummate go-giver. As TNG’s co-founder and leader, he sets the standard for professional networking, always paying it...

Dean is the consummate go-giver. As TNG’s co-founder and leader, he sets the standard for professional networking, always paying it forward and lifting others up. A true role model.

Sharon (M.) Weinstein, MS, RN, CRNI-R®, CSP®,CVP, FACW, FAAN

, MS, RN, CRNI-R, CSP, CVP, FAAN

Dean is a trusted advisor and a true networking wizard. His leadership of TNG has made a major impact on...

Dean is a trusted advisor and a true networking wizard. His leadership of TNG has made a major impact on my career and many others. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to grow their business.

Darrell Katz

Learning & Development Professional

Dean is a true advocate, ethical, knowledgeable, and always doing right by his clients. His generosity and vast network make...

Dean is a true advocate, ethical, knowledgeable, and always doing right by his clients. His generosity and vast network make him an asset to everyone he meets.

Steven L. Brown

President, Stratego Partners

Dean is a true advocate, ethical, knowledgeable, and always doing right by his clients. His generosity and vast network make...

Dean is a true advocate, ethical, knowledgeable, and always doing right by his clients. His generosity and vast network make him an asset to everyone he meets.

Brian Rubin

Special Needs Legal & Future Planning

Dean is a trusted expert in insurance and estate planning and a true 'networker’s networker.' He leads with integrity, empathy,...

Dean is a trusted expert in insurance and estate planning and a true 'networker’s networker.' He leads with integrity, empathy, and a pay-it-forward mindset. It’s a privilege to know him.

JD Gershbein

LinkedIn® Strategist & Brand Transformation Advisor Planning

Dean combines rare expertise with impeccable integrity and a heart of gold. He never lets clients, colleagues, or friends down—and...

Dean combines rare expertise with impeccable integrity and a heart of gold. He never lets clients, colleagues, or friends down—and I’m lucky to be part of his circle.

Dr. Phyllis Campagna

Business Coach | Excelsis Performance Strategies

Buddy Baseball

Dean has been a Founder, Commissioner, and Coach since 2002, of Buddy Baseball, a national philanthropic organization that is being introduced around the world including Los Angeles, Toronto, and Jerusalem. Expansion of the program is now under consideration in The United Kingdom, South Africa, and New South Wales, Australia.

This work is significant to Dean who provides an outlet through which children with developmental disabilities can experience the thrill and unbridled enjoyment of playing baseball. He derives untold joy and satisfaction through the deeply emotional connections he makes with his special need ballplayers. Often the communication is nonverbal and driven by human instinct alone. Dean currently coaches Buddy Baseball as part of the Buffalo Grove Recreational Association (BGRA), meeting with his ballplayers three times per week in a season that runs from the end of April to the end of June.
learn more
Previous
Next

The Road to Prosperity Starts Here