Keynote Speakers
Samantha Alloway
Samantha M. Alloway is an accomplished and influential leader, known for her expertise in government relations, advocacy, and human services. Samantha has served as a CASA/GAL for Kane County, advocating for the rights of children in the foster care system. Additionally, she has worked as an advocacy coordinator and operations manager at Lazarus House, providing support to unhoused individuals. Samantha is also a certified Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault advocate through the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Samantha is also a member of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy, class of 2024. This prestigious membership highlights her commitment to personal and professional growth, and it positions her as a promising leader with a forward-thinking mindset for the state of Illinois. As a mother of three sons, Samantha encountered a pivotal moment when her middle child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three. This deeply personal experience has driven her to become a passionate advocate for disability rights. She has emerged as a highly effective and influential communicator, successfully engaging with families, participants, and legislators at both the federal and state levels.
Emily Holl
Emily Holl is the Director of The Sibling Support Project, the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of siblings of people with developmental and health concerns. The Sibling Support Project is a proud program of Kindering, Washington State’s largest neurodevelopmental center and early support provider. Emily is a social worker, author, and trainer who has provided workshops and groups for siblings and families, presented extensively on sibling issues, and has published sibling research. A sibling, and board member of the national Sibling Leadership Network, Emily has written about her experiences in blogs, magazines and books such as “Thicker than Water.” She was a co-editor of “The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities,” published by Woodbine House in 2014. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, and a Master of Social Work from Hunter College at the City University of New York. Learn more at www.siblingsupport.org.
Dr. Alonzo Kelly
A dynamic Executive Coach, Professor, 3x Best Selling Author, and Radio Host, Dr. Alonzo Kelly has gained international and global attention as a premier consultant and strategist. Alonzo is recognized as one the nation’s leading experts on leadership development, strategic thinking, planning, and acting which results in individual and organizational goal achievement. He has appeared on America’s Premier Experts which airs on major networks across the country including ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Alonzo has served over 1,000 individuals through personal and professional development, delivered training and consulting services to a plethora of Fortune 500 Companies, College and Universities, Foreign Countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Guam), nonprofit organizations, and is consistently retained to be the keynote speaker and facilitator of choice at large and small events across the country.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, three master’s degrees (Public Administration, Human Resource & Labor Relations, Business Administration), and an Honorary PhD in Business & Entrepreneurship, and is currently in the process of earning his second Doctorate in Business Administration.
He serves on the National Board of Directors for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) representing the State of Wisconsin, the Fire and Police Commission for the City of Howard, the Board of Directors for Family Services of Brown County, and the Women’s Fund Grants Team through the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.
Find more at www.alonzokelly.com
Katherine (Katy) Neas is the CEO of The Arc of the United States, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. She leads The Arc’s Washington, DC-based national office and network of nearly 600 state and local chapters, which provide direct support and advocacy to more than a million people with IDD across the United States.
Katy has a deep commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, exemplified by her 35-year career spanning government, nonprofit, and association sectors. She is well known as an ally and thought leader by government officials and legislators, nonprofit providers, self-advocates, parents, and executive staff across the country. She began her career as Legislative Assistant to Senator Tom Harkin and the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy, where she worked on the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She then served as the Associate Director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, where she promoted research, education, and service initiatives to improve the lives of people with IDD and their families.
Katy spent 23 years at Easterseals, a national nonprofit that provides direct services to children and adults with disabilities and their families. She held various leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Government Relations, where she advocated for federal and state policies and programs that benefit people with disabilities and managed the Easterseals Office of Public Affairs. She has extensive policy experience in early education, special education, employment and systems transformation for children and youth with disabilities and their families.
Prior to joining The Arc, Katy was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Ac ng Assistant Secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education. She advised U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on matters related to the education of children and adults with disabilities and led efforts to support community living, improve education and employment outcomes, and break barriers and stigmas for all people with disabilities. She also managed the Department’s extensive work in addressing the mental health crisis affecting all our nation’s youth.
Katy also has extensive experience in the association sector, having served as the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the 100,000 member American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She oversaw APTA’s federal and state government public policy ac vi es, federal regulatory affairs, grassroots and political action efforts, and public relations. Katy, a graduate of Georgetown University and native of Des Moines, Iowa, is widely regarded for her bipartisan and collaborative work, earning her roles including Past Chair of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD). She is honored to lead The Arc into the future, working with its dedicated staff, board, chapters, self-advocates, families, and partners to build a world where people with IDD are valued members of society who have the power to choose how they live, learn, work, and play.
Presenters
Suzanne Aaron, CRS-A/D
Suzanne is an Information and Outreach Specialist for the Illinois Life Span program for Northern Illinois. She has worked and volunteered in the areas of disability advocacy and family support since 2008. She and her husband are the proud parents of a young adult with I/DD and Autism. Her passion is helping families access and understand services that are available to them so they are empowered to build an included and meaningful life with their loved one with disabilities. She is a 2018 graduate of Illinois Partners in Policymaking and has navigated disability services in the states of Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.
Susan Agrawal, PhD
Susan Agrawal is a parent, advocate, and writer who began serving as the Director of the Family-to-Family Health (F2F) Information Center in 2024, assisting families of children and young adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs to navigate the health care and disability systems in Illinois. She has lived experience through her daughter Karuna, who had multiple disabilities and complex health issues throughout her eleven years of life. Susan is the founder of MFTD Waiver Families and spent more than a decade advocating for children in the Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Waiver. In addition, she is an independent researcher on children’s Medicaid waivers and programs, including the website Kids’ Waivers.
Ruth Aguilar, QIDP
Ruth Aguilar has over fifteen years of combined experience advocating for people with disabilities. She holds a B.S Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and Professional Graduate Studies in Non-Profit from Harvard University. Ruth’s professional experience stems from working previously in an ISC Agency and then as a Self-Directed Assistant serving the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Moreover, with her personal expertise as a mother of a teen girl with Rett Syndrome and Seizure Disorder, Ruth brings a wealth of knowledge to the families by assisting them in how to obtain services and understanding their options by being assertive, yet professional. Ruth is inspired by her husband and her daughter to be a servant leader who helps those around her without hesitation.
Ruth Aguilar tiene más de quince años de experiencia combinada defendiendo a las personas con discapacidades. Ella tiene un B.S. Psicología de Illinois Institute of Technology y Estudios Profesionales de Posgrado en Organizaciones sin Fines de Lucro de Harvard University. Ruth ‘s experiencia profesional proviene de haber trabajado previamente en una Agencia Independiente de Coordinación de Servicios y luego como asistente autodirigido al servicio de la comunidad con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo . Además, con su propia experiencia como madre de una adolescente con Síndrome de Rett y trastorno convulsivo, Ruth aporta un gran conocimiento a las familias ayudándoles a obtener servicios y comprendiendo sus opciones siendo asertiva pero profesional. Ruth está inspirada por su marido y su hija para ser una líder servidora que ayuda a quienes la rodean sin dudarlo.
Laura Anderson
Laura spent 16 years with the Illinois House of Representatives in various policy and management roles, including Chief of Staff. She was deeply involved in the State’s Budget, balancing policy and politics. In 2003, Laura founded Winning Systems (WS), focusing on policy development, advocacy, and fundraising for non-profits and community providers. As a registered lobbyist, she has promoted legislative solutions and secured public funding for numerous organizations. For the past eight years, Laura has led a statewide campaign for the They Deserve More Coalition, raising awareness and funding for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Laura provides board training and skill development, working closely with staff to enhance funding efforts. Since 2003, she has coordinated raising over $35 million for various organizations. She has worked on over 70 national, statewide, and local campaigns. Laura is married to Chris Kachiroubas and has three grown children, Alex, Chandler, and Tess.
Alexandra Baig
Alexandra Baig is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Special Needs Consultant, National Social Security Advisor and Certified Work Incentives Practitioner. Alexandra also conducts research and development and consults with colleges and universities that have or are developing Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE), on-campus programs for post-transition students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. IPSE programs are designed to nurture independent living skills and enhance competitive employability.
Geno Bagnuolo
Geno Bagnuolo graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership. Over the past five years he has worked with Trinity Services in different capacities, and is currently an Associate Director within one of their residential networks. Geno is also a certified Safety Care Trainer which focuses on teaching de-escalation techniques and strategies to prevent and minimize incidents involving challenging behaviors.
Fabricio E Balcazar, PhD
Fabricio E. Balcazar, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Balcazar’s primary research interest is developing effective strategies for enhancing empowerment and personal effectiveness among individuals with disabilities and other marginalized populations. Dr. Balcazar has conducted research over the past 35 years on several disability-related areas, such as youth transitioning from school; the development of interventions to help minority individuals with disabilities transition into employment (including a recent project to help minority youth develop entrepreneurial skills and start small businesses); the promotion of cultural competence in rehabilitation services; and the development of interventions for helping youth with disabilities who have dropped out of high school return to education and/or find jobs they can keep, among many others.
Fabricio E. Balcazar, Ph.D., es Profesor en el Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Balcazar’s interés principal de la investigación es en desarrollar estrategias efectivas para mejorar el empoderamiento y la eficacia personal entre personas con discapacidades y otras poblaciones marginadas. Dr. Balcazar ha hecho investigaciones durante los últimos 35 años en varias áreas relacionadas con la discapacidad, como los jóvenes que hacen la transición de la escuela; el desarrollo de intervenciones para ayudar a las personas minoritarias con discapacidades en la transición al empleo (incluido un proyecto reciente para ayudar a los jóvenes de minorías a desarrollar habilidades empresariales y comenzar pequeñas empresas); la promoción de competencia cultural en servicios de rehabilitación; y el desarrollo de intervenciones para ayudar a los jóvenes con discapacidades que abandonaron la escuela secundaria regresan a la education y/o encontrar trabajos que puedan conservar, entre otras cosas.
Allan Bergman
Allan I. Bergman is a nationally recognized leader in disability public policy, best practices, systems change, provider transformation and leadership development in Medicaid and HCBS waivers, IDEA, (inclusion and transition) Rehabilitation outcomes and return on investment. He has over 45 years of experience as a community provider in 4 states, state legislative advocacy in many states and 18 years of impactful federal legislative advocacy in D.C. with UCPA and Brain Injury Association of America. He has been a subject matter expert for the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Dept. of Labor since 2012. As CEO of Anixter Center in Chicago, in 2007, he developed Illinois’ first Customized Employment services with 15 individuals with no prior work history, becoming successfully employed in CIE. Allan had the opportunity to work with Dr. Marc Gold, who laid the foundation for customized employment with his “Try Another Way” systematic instruction in 1979, which convinced him that anyone can work, with competent, trained staff following the process, including his stepdaughter who has Rett Syndrome and was deemed ineligible for “sheltered work”. “Readiness” is not a prerequisite!
Maria Castillo
Ms. Castillo es un defensor dedicado y apasionado de las familias hispanas.. Ms. Castillo ha trabajado por Family Resource Center on Disabilities por muchos años y es bien conocida por su enfoque dinámico para ayudar a los padres comprender sus derechos y responsabilidades seguin IDEA.
Jesus “Chuy” Campuzano
Jesus Chuy Campuzano is a dedicated disability advocate focused on empowering individuals with disabilities. He was honored with the 2024 Morley Williams Community Advocate of the Year award for his outstanding volunteer work at Access Living in Chicago. Passionate about promoting financial literacy, Campuzano is committed to helping people with disabilities navigate financial independence and security.
Joyce Clay
Joyce Clay RNMS is a nursing professional with over forty years of nursing experience. Joyce specializes in assisting families to receive comprehensive quality nursing care in the home setting. Joyce also serves as a commissioner on the Rare Disease Commision for the State of Illinois. Joyce previously taught nursing students in central Illinois with the focus on pediatric and maternal child families. As the mother of a young adult with a rare disease, she can provide insight and understanding of the healthcare challenges of those with complex care needs.
Elida Elizondo
Elida Elizondo is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Elida has been with the agency for over 25 years and is based in Milwaukee, WI. As a Public Affairs Specialist Elida covers the area of Southeastern Wisconsin and provides back up assistance for Northern and North Central Illinois.
Laura Fine
Laura Fine has spent the past 23 years leading programs and supporting individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities, with a focus on the high school years and the pivotal transition to adulthood. She is deeply committed to collaborating with families and outside agencies, encouraging early planning to build meaningful post-school experiences. Known for her innovative thinking and dedication, Laura works tirelessly to prepare students for purposeful futures while advocating for systemic change in Illinois to improve post-school outcomes. Passionate about parent education and empowerment, Laura continues to be a champion for individuals with disabilities and their families. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Programs and Services for the Exceptional Learners Collaborative at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL.
Tammy Foster
Tamara Foster is the Lifespan Manager with the IRC. I have been with the organization since July 2023. I have spent most of my professional career as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. I have an EdM in Early Childhood Special Education and IECMHC credential (Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant).
Patrick Gale
Patrick has been on the autism spectrum since he was diagnosed at the age of five. He has also been faced with several mental health obstacles over the years and has found ways to overcome them. He has a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and has worked in the telecommunications industry since graduating. He is well-rounded in that he has experience in design and hands-on work. For Patrick, being on the autism spectrum has several advantages. For example, he tends to be more detailed and observant in casual and professional situations. He also has a better long-term memory than most. This is especially important because he went through the tragic loss of his mother while in high school and has obscure memories of his mother that most family members do not. His long-term goal as a self-advocate is to open up about his experiences dealing with mental health and grief battles and help others going through similar struggles.
Timotheus “T,J,” Gordon, Jr
Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon Jr., MFA, MS, is a research associate at the Institute on Disability and Human Development at University of Illinois at Chicago. Gordon uses his passion for self-advocacy, racial equity, disability culture, and autism acceptance to create webinars, training sessions, and publications on autism and race, inclusion in communities of color, exploration of sexuality in the disability community, coping with COVID-19 pandemic, mental health emergency services, and more.
He is also a co-founder of Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (Chicagoland DPOCC), Chicagoland DPOCC is a group of disabled people of color in the Chicagoland area that promote disability pride, self-advocacy, and inclusion in communities of color throughout the Chicagoland area, which is supported by the Institute on Disability and Human Development.
Gordon has also written essays and reviews related to disability and race. His writings and cultural insights appear in the Disability Studies Review, the “All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism” anthology, “Code of the Freaks” documentary, and ADA 30 in Color.
Robert Guzman
“Robert Guzman is a solutions-focused Director from Chicago with 10 years of success spanning workforce, adult education, digital literacy, and professional development.
He manages Career Pathways Navigators, who assist job seekers with accessing the workforce system and services. He is a member of the One-Stop Operator team tasked with integrating WIOA service in American Job Centers.
His areas of expertise include workforce development, and relationship building across non-profits, state agencies, adult education providers, and community organizations to create a unified and Human-Centered Design public workforce system.
Robert had the honor of serving on the Governor’s Workforce Commission on Equity and Access in Illinois in 2022, where he advocated the importance of digital literacy for job seekers. He has been part of the National Skills Coalition Illinois Delegation for years and received the 2020 “Firebrand Award” for his work in service integration through the implementation of the Career Pathways Navigator model.”
“Robert Guzmán es un director de Chicago centrado en soluciones con 10 años de éxito en la fuerza laboral, la educación de adultos, la alfabetización digital y el desarrollo profesional.
Gestiona Career Pathways Navigators, que ayudan a quienes buscan empleo a acceder al sistema y los servicios de la fuerza laboral. Es miembro del equipo de One-Stop Operador encargado de integrar el servicio WIOA en American Job Centers.
Sus áreas de especialización incluyen el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y la construcción de relaciones entre organizaciones sin fines de lucro, agencias estatales, proveedores de educación para adultos y organizaciones comunitarias para crear un sistema de fuerza laboral pública unificado y de diseño centrado en las personas.
Robert tuvo el honor de formar parte de la Comisión de Equidad y Acceso de la Fuerza Laboral del Gobernador en Illinois en 2022, donde defendió la importancia de la alfabetización digital para quienes buscan empleo. Ha sido parte de la Delegación de Illinois de la National Skills Coalition durante años y recibió el “Firebrand Award” 2020 por su trabajo en la integración de servicios a través de la implementación del modelo Career Pathways Navigator”.
Tracey Hawkins
Russel Houser
Russel is an autistic self-advocate and professional who has worked in various jobs with children and adults with disabilities over the past 10 years. Russel has a Masters Degree in Education from Valparaiso University, and Bachelors Degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is currently working as a Lead Registered Behavior Technician in the field of ABA. Russel was diagnosed at three years old, and had received early intervention services through school shortly afterwards. When Russel knew about his autism diagnosis, he wanted to understand more about autism and how it related to him. Upon doing so, and in developing self-acceptance with his identity, Russel became passionate about helping other individuals with disabilities live their best lives possible according to their goals and needs. He has participated in several past professional events as a session speaker, including programs with the Arc of Illinois and UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago. He also received the Rising Star Award from the NCE in 2022 with the Arc of the United States.
Tareema Jean-Baptiste
Tareema Jean-Baptiste is the Family Professional Development Resource Specialist for Star Net Region V (City of Chicago), bringing a wealth of experience in special education and family advocacy. As a fierce advocate for her oldest son, who is autistic and epileptic, Tareema has demonstrated exceptional diligence, intelligence, and an untiring drive to ensure he receives all the support and services he is entitled to under the law. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with other families, guiding them on their journeys.
With extensive experience in special education advocacy, Tareema has successfully navigated numerous educational and healthcare systems to secure the best outcomes for her son. Through her journey with her son, she has gained expertise in several areas such as executive function, behavior, and the impact of sensory-related issues on learning and behavior. Before her position with Star Net Chicago, Tareema was a Programs Manager for the Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN). In this role, she focused on developing and implementing family-centered programs that promote inclusivity and support for all families.
Tareema will continue to support and facilitate family programming for Starnet Region V, bringing her unique perspective and expertise to the role. Affectionately nicknamed “The Connector” by her friends and family, she is excited to share creative, equitable, and inclusive ways for families to connect throughout the city. Tareema and her family, including her husband and three children, live in Chicago’s Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood.
Stephanie Kanter
Stephanie Kanter is the Director of the IL ABLE savings and investment program for people with disabilities at the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. As a member of Chicago’s disability community, Stephanie’s work is rooted in advancing the empowerment and equity of people with disabilities.
Megan Mutti
Lori Opiela
Lori Opiela is Chief Policy, Research, and Advocacy Officer at UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago and serves as the Project Supervisor for our Building Bridges to the Future Transition Program. She is a liaison to the They Deserve More Coalition aiding in mobilizing stakeholders to advocate for DSP wage increases in accordance with the Guidehouse Study. Lori is an active participant in numerous State and Federal advocacy and policy organizations and committees. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Rehabilitation Administration. As a CARF surveyor, she leads the CARF accreditation efforts as the agency’s CARF liaison. Lori is married to Larry and has an grown son, Jonathan.
Jae Jin Pak
Jae Jin is a research associate II and Coordinator of Community Education for IDHD, developing, coordinating and conducting presentation on disability related topics. He also serves as the Self Advocacy Training Mentor for the IL LEND program working to empower self advocates through leadership development. He is also a co-founder of Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (Chicagoland DPOCC), which is supported by the Institute on Disability and Human Development. Chicagoland DPOCC is a group of disabled people of color in the Chicagoland area that promote disability pride, self-advocacy, and inclusion in communities of color throughout the Chicagoland area.
For over 25 years, he has worked on issues ending domestic and sexual violence, mental health, disability, anti-oppression and cultural competency. He has worked to build bridges between diverse communities and providers to foster collaborations and partnerships. Jae Jin has received recognition for his work and leadership by the City of Chicago Commission Human Relations Advisory Council on Asian Affairs, Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans and the Jane Adams School of Social Work at University of IL at Chicago.
Rocio Perez, MSW, LCSW, CRS-A/D
Rocio is Director of the Illinois Life Span Program. She is married and has two adult children. Her oldest is an adult with Autism. Her background in Social Work complements her lifelong goal for her son Tony to have as many choices as possible. Prior to joining, The Arc of Illinois, Rocio worked at well-known not for profits such as Metropolitan Family Services, Community Support Services, and Community Alternatives Unlimited. She has worked for the Arc of IL since December 2018. She started out working for both The Illinois Life Span Program and The Family to Family Information Center where she was mentored by Deb Fornoff and Faye Manaster. She moved over full time to The Illinois Life Span Program in 2019 and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2020. Today, she is the Director of the Life Span Program and looks forward to continuing the legacy of Ms. Fornoff and her co-workers.
La Sra Perez es casada y tiene dos hijos adultos. Su mayor es un adulto con autismo. Su experiencia en el campo de Servicio Social complementa su objetivo de toda la vida de que su hijo Tony tenga tantas opciones como sea posible. Antes de unirse al Arc of Illinois, Rocío trabajó en conocidas empresas sin fines de lucro como Metropolitan Family Services, Community Support Services y Community Alternatives Unlimited. Ella ha trabajado para el Arc of Illinois desde diciembre de 2018. Comenzó a trabajando para the Illinois Life Span Program y El Centro de Información de Salud. Sus mentores han sido Las Sras. Deb Fornoff y Faye Manaster. En 2019, se dedico tiempo completo al Programa Life Span de Illinois y fue promovida a directora asistente en 2020. Hoy en día, es la Directora del Programa Life Span y espera continuar el legado de la Sra. Fornoff y sus compañeros de trabajo.
Shirley Perez
Shirley A. Perez is the Program Director of the Ligas Family Advocate Program and the Family Support Network. Ms. Perez has thirty-five plus years of advocating and working with individuals and their families with disabilities. She is a business graduate of Metropolitan Business College and Kaplan University. She operated her own business, worked at an ISC Agency where she advocated for and assisted families in locating services by navigating the State system. In conjunction with the City of Chicago, Federal Home Loan Bank and The Illinois Housing Development Authority, she implemented a home-buying program for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. She has worked as a Special Project Advocate with the Illinois Life Span Project; met with families/guardians to explain the transition process and listen to their concerns as their family members’ transition into the community from State Operated Developmental Centers.
She currently serves on various Department of Human Services Committees and is an active volunteer in both her community and church. She is the proud mother of an adult daughter (Tamekia), who lives in the community. Tamekia is diagnosed with multiple disabilities, intellectually and developmentally delayed. She is non-verbal, diagnosed with Autism and suffers from a seizure disorder. Ms. Perez’s passion for advocacy is fueled by her desire to help her daughter and others with disabilities reach their full potential. Her philosophy is, “everyone can succeed with the right support!” She can be contacted at shirley@thearcofil.org.
Consuelo Puente
Ms. Puente is a retired attorney with many years of experience in the area of disabilties. Ms. Puente has two adult sons with autism and appreciates everything her sons have taught her.
La Sra. Puente es una abodgada jubilada con muchos anos de experiencia en el area de discapacidades. La Sra. Puente tiene dos hijos con autismo y apreica todo lo que sus hijos le han ensenado.
Carole Rosen
As an Advocacy Program Specialist at The Arc of Illinois, Carole serves as The Going Home Coalition Manager and is the REV UP Illinois Director. Carole served as a Governor appointed member of The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities from 2014 until 2020. . She is passionate about the need to create affordable community supported inclusive accessible housing options for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has completed the Permanent Supported Housing Institute. Her driving belief is that Community is strengthened by diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Carole is certified as a Financial Wellness Trainer for People with Disabilities through the National Disability Institute. In addition to her Masters of Interior Design degree, she is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist with additional coursework in Universal Design. Carole and her husband, William, have a daughter who has developmental disabilities and a non-disabled son.
Benji Rubin, JD
An attorney, “little/big” brother of Mitchell, who has Autism, and a partner in Rubin Law, a firm whose practice is limited to future planning for his future planning for his fellow families of individuals with special needs. Benji graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law, Magna Cum Laude, received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, and his Graduate Law Degree, and LLM (Tax), with honors, also from Northwestern University. Benji is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, a member, by invitation, of the Special Needs Alliance (the national not for profit association of special needs planning attorneys with membership by invitation only), is Chairman of the American Bar Association Special Needs Planning Committee, serves as the President of SIBS (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters), the Illinois chapter of the national Sibling Leadership Network, an organization of adult siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and/or mental illness. Benji is a member and officer (Treasurer) of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Illinois, is a member of the Clearbrook Associate Board, an organization serving more than 8,000 individuals with disabilities, including his brother, Mitchell, serves on the Board of Directors of DayOne PACT, which serves as Trustee of Special Needs Trusts as well as Guardian for individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and/or mental illness, serves on the Board of Directors of the Foundation of The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL Foundation), serves on the Advisory Council of Encompass (Encompass in partnership with Jewish Child & Family Services, Jewish United Fund, JVS Chicago, JCC Chicago, Keshet, and The Center for Enriched Living and Center for Independent Futures). Benji is also a Faculty Member for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) on the topic of special needs planning, as well as a Speaker for the American Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association on those topics.
Brian Rubin, JD
Attorney Brian Rubin is the founder of Rubin Law, a former IRS Agent, and former IRS Attorney, has been a practicing attorney since 1976, has been married to his wife Linda for the past 45 years, and is the parent of three children, one of whom, Mitchell, 41, has Autism. Brian’s law practice, for four decades, since Mitchell was one year old, has been dedicated to serving the legal and future planning needs of his fellow Illinois families of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness.
Lauren Schrero
Lauren Schrero is the co-founder and former Executive Director of The Nora Project, a nonprofit advancing disability-inclusive education through innovative classroom curriculum and instructional practices. Currently, she works as a disability rights attorney at Equip for Equality, Illinois’ Protection and Advocacy agency. Lauren’s legal work focuses on access to home and community-based services and deinstitutionalization.
Jessica Schuyler-Weir
Jessica Schuyler-Weir has been with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) for more than 16 years. She holds a master’s degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services as well as the Assistive Technology Professional certification from RESNA. She has completed over 1000 assistive technology evaluations for customers of Illinois’ vocational rehabilitation program and through IATP’s Illinois State Board of Education grants. Jessica currently serves as IATP’s Director of Training.
Jersey Shavoz
Andrea Siwik
Andrea Siwik is a dedicated special education professional with over 15 years of experience supporting high school students. Initially teaching instructional English and math, she discovered her true calling in transition planning. As a certified transition specialist and the Postsecondary SPED Coordinator at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, she collaborates with special education teachers to equip students with the resources necessary to achieve their postsecondary aspirations. Andrea is committed to refining school systems to better empower both professionals and families, ensuring students have access to the support they need to attain meaningful outcomes.
Dinayra Sorando Rivera
Dinayra Sorando Rivera, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is in her final year of a dual master’s program at Adler University, pursuing degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance Psychology. She has over five years of experience working with the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) through initiatives at the Minority Institute. Currently, she collaborates with The Future is Now (VFIN) program. Dinayra has worked extensively with community organizations supporting underserved populations, particularly Latino refugees, using psychoeducation and counseling to empower individuals and promote resilience. With a strong commitment to social justice and culturally responsive care, she is dedicated to creating lasting positive change in minority communities.
Tiffany Steinhauser, M.Ed, CRS-A/D
Tiffany has been a special educator for 21 years in Quincy, Illinois. Advocacy is something that is close to her heart and has led her to spend her life teaching, advocating, and supporting parents. As an educator of children with disabilities for many years, she has found there to be a huge need for more family resources and supports. Tiffany is a parent to two children. In her free time, her husband and she both enjoy camping and boating. Tiffany also enjoys reading and being outdoors. Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Special Education from Quincy University (IL) and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Williams Wood University (MO).
Erica Stearns
Erica Stearns is the statewide Home Care Family Outreach Associate for UIC-DSCC, where she supports families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). A disabled adult and mother of two children with rare medical complexities, Erica uses her lived experience to connect with families and caregivers. She has chaired Family Advisory Councils at DSCC and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and worked with The Arc of Illinois to elevate the voices of individuals with disabilities and their families. Erica co-founded Caffeinated Caregivers, a virtual platform serving over 5,000 caregivers with resources, peer connections, and research opportunities. Through her work, she emphasizes the importance of lived experience in shaping meaningful programs and change, helping caregivers navigate challenges and build stronger support systems for the CYSHCN community.
Angelica Tobias, M.Ed
Angelica (Angel) Tobias is the proud sibling and guardian of her brother, Rex Jr. Together with their brother, they enjoy turning the car into their own recording studio. With Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters (S.I.B.S) and though her education with Partners In Policymaking (PIP), Angel is a staunch advocate for people with I/DD. As someone with a mental illness, Angel has honed her skills in self-advocacy too.
In 2008, Angel graduated with her master’s degree in special education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a licensed Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1). In 2022 she became certified as a yoga teacher. Angel has spent her career teaching students with disabilities- this includes families who have experienced traumatic events and families who are in crisis. Angel strives to devote loving attention when she spends times with her family and with friends who are like family, as a personal practice.
Greg Walkington
Greg is an accomplished Operations Manager with 35+ years of experience in nonprofit leadership and program development, particularly as it relates to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Greg’s experience ranges from direct, hands-on training in life skills enrichment programs to managing supports for over 400+ people with IDD across four divisions, four congregate work sites, and over 20 community-integrated living arrangements.
Importantly, Greg has a very unique relationship to his work that drives his passion for advocacy. As a father of an adult child who has physical and intellectual disabilities resulting in high support needs, Greg truly understands the value of maximizing the quality of life through community involvement for people he supports by providing them with the necessary support structures to lead dignified and fulfilling lives.
Tina Yurik
Tina Yurik is the Executive Director of the Illinois Respite Coalition, (IRC) for over five years. The IRC provides statewide respite information, referral and linkage to respite support across the lifespan. Previously, Tina worked as the Director of Clearbrook’s Take a Break Volunteer respite programs for 18 years. She has also taught trainings on special education issues related to IDEA and ADA both regionally and nationally through the Family Resource Center on Disabilities, when she was the Assistant Director.
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