OFFICERS
President
Kimberly L. Johnson
Kimberly is a disability/legislative advocate, grassroots community leader, who believes in leadership through systems change, creating, pursuing goals, and achieving a vision of shared values about people living with disabilities. Through her work as President, Board of Directors of Chicagoland Autism Connection (CAC), The Arc of Illinois (Ligas Family Advocate and later as Board Treasurer), The Office of Diverse Learner Supports & Services (ODLSS) Parent Engagement Specialist of Chicago Public Schools, Kimberly’s work, and passion to support families living with disabilities with a specific focus on marginalized communities has supported hundreds across Illinois.
Professionally, Kimberly works as a Regional Coordinator (Cook County), Community Residential Services Authority (CRSA). This position provides technical assistance to families, service providers, educators, and other professionals to help plan and implement appropriate, effective services for children with severe emotional disturbances and/or behavior disorders (SED/BD), in Illinois.
She received her formal education in Business Marketing from Indiana Wesleyan University and has received various certificates awards and acknowledgements as a disability Advocate including REST respite training (2018) and customized employment through Marc Gold & Associates. Kimberly has also served as a speaker for quite a few community and professional organizations sharing tips on parent/caregiver advocacy, service coordination, financial wellness, the benefits of employment (customized), Direct Support Person training and navigating resources within the State of Illinois.
Currently, Kimberly serves on several boards and committees including her recent appointment as Board President of The Arc of Illinois; former Arc of Illinois board Treasurer (2021-2023); the State of Illinois Development Disability Advisory Council; Immediate Past-President of Chicagoland Autism Connection (CAC); Founder of CAC’s A-Team & Trailblazers-Self-Advocate groups and Past Board Member of the Community Residential and Services Authority for the State of Illinois. She also serves as part of the Illinois Criminal Justice Task Force; Q Source Kidney Advisory Board and is a Faculty Advisor for Illinois Partners and Policy Making (2018-2023), Caring Across Generations Fellow (2023), and National Kidney Advocacy Committee (2023). She is a certified trainer with NAMI as a Mental Health First Responder (2017) and the Train the Trainer National Disability Institute Financial Wellness Training for families living with disabilities (2021). Most notably, Kimberly created and implemented the Parent Engagement Training Portal for the Chicago Public School’s Office of Diverse Learners Supports and Services.
Lastly, Kimberly is the devoted mother of an adult son living with Autism, speech and cognitive delay and gained her lived experience through their journey navigating support services in Chicago and surrounding suburbs of Illinois. Kimberly believes grassroots advocacy is the heart and soul of advocacy and her mission to support families with children and adults living with disabilities began when she realized that state and federal funding, resources, supports and services were limited or non-existent in her community and other underserved/ marginalized communities.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
– Barack Obama
Secretary
Kim Zoeller
Kim Zoeller is the President and CEO of Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities. Ray Graham Association (RGA) supports more than 2,000 children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities through DuPage County and the surrounding communities. RGA provides a variety of services and supports that include residential, life skills development, recreation, and family support that empower people to reach, grow, and achieve. With more than twenty-five years of experience, Kim has worked to create positive change with a focus on innovation and transformation. Kim is the managing Board member for Life’s Plan, a pooled trust option for people with disabilities. Presently, Kim is a past Chair of the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities and continues to serve on the executive committee. Kim is a founding member and leader of They Deserve More which unified advocacy efforts in IL around the DSP crisis and need for increased rates. She serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, she is a past chair of The Arc of Illinois Executive Forum, and Vice Chair of The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors. For years, she chaired the Statewide DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Quality Committee. Kim also worked for CQL for more than fifteen years as a Quality Enhancement Specialist. Kim holds a BS in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Treasurer
Randall Ramey, CPA
Randall is a Principal with the firm and serves as KYR’s President. Randall is a data-driven Senior Executive and Consultant with more than 30 years of success in the financial services and real estate industries. Leveraging extensive experience in financial leadership for service-focused organizations, Randall is a valuable asset for startup to established companies seeking guidance in numerous areas such as regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, international business, due diligence, regulatory investigations, internal controls, privacy, RFPs, among others, specializing in investment advisor and broker dealer regulations throughout the globe.
As an experienced Board Member, Randall has held various officer level positions including Treasurer of The Arc of Illinois and the President of Community Support Services, Inc. Randall participates on ExecRanks’ International Expansion Advisory Council and the Real Estate Advisory Council. Randall has also received ExecRanks’ Certification for Continued Board Education. Randall is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. Randall obtained his degree from the University of Iowa specializing in Accounting and Finance.
Director At Large
Vincent Smith
Hi everyone! My name is Vincent Smith and I am a graduate of Chicago Public Schools. I am an outspoken advocate and have served in a variety of settings including the PACE ADA Paratransit Advisory Board and as a past member of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) Board of Directors. I have presented in Illinois (Speak Up and Speak Out Summit, Going Home Rally, DDD Provider Webinars) on supportive housing, assistive technology and transportation. I have also presented for self-advocates in Ohio on rights. I am passionate about supportive housing and present often about my experience. In my free time, I enjoy traveling to visit family in Virginia, California, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
BOARD MEMBERS
Sam Bell
Sam Bell is Vice President of Commercial Property & Casualty (P&C) Insurance for USI Insurance in the Chicago, Illinois office. Sam has worked with Nonprofits consulting and brokering their P&C insurance since 2017. In that time he has saved Nonprofits millions of dollars through creative, cost-reducing Nonprofit insurance solutions. These savings have allowed Nonprofits to further their missions and not be strained by P&C insurance costs. Beyond insurance, Sam also maintains a strong network of Nonprofit resources (bankers, accountants, commercial real estate brokers, outsourced IT / MSP, etc.) and tries to connect Nonprofits with his network with the goal of moving dollars away from operating costs and back into mission-driven goals. Personally, Sam was born in Scotland and moved to Chicago, Illinois when he was 12 years old. He still lives in Chicago and enjoys travelling, being physically active, and watching football, soccer, and baseball.
Management from the University of Maryland University College, a BS degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa, a Certificate in Leisure Studies from the University of Northern Iowa and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Adam Cooper
I’m Adam Cooper. I live in southern Illinois close to Saint Louis area. I am a past Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Past member and president of Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance. When I moved in to my apartment complex I worked with local transportation provider to get them to extend their bus stops at my apartment building. I currently serve as Alton Illinois Impact CIL Centers for Independent Living.
I am a huge advocate for people who have disabilities. I believe that people who have disabilities should have more job opportunities; employers are not educated enough about the pros of hiring a person who has a disability. I have had a job close to 20 years and I believe that people who have disabilities should be able to get jobs in the community of their choice if they have the right supports. I also believe that people who have disabilities should be given the choice of living independently in the community of there choice if they have the right supports in place. I have lived independently in the community of my choice for 10 years.
Christine Escobar-Sawicki, LCSW
Christine Escobar-Sawicki, LCSW, is a social work educator and mother to three fantastic adult children, one of whom has Fragile X Syndrome. As a Clinical Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Christine advises and supports students throughout the social work internship experience. Christine is the Social Work Discipline Coordinator for the Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program, is an item writer for the Association of Social Work Boards and is a community advisory member for the Behavioral Health Stratified Treatment (B.E.S.T.) study at University of Illinois-Chicago.
Michael Glanz
Michael Glanz currently serves as the Executive Director for The Arc of the Quad Cities Area. The Arc of the Quad Cities Area provides services and supports to people with disabilities by empowering them to believe in their own unique abilities and achieve their full potential. Currently over 250 staff provide unique opportunities for 400 people to live, work and play together in the Quad Cities Area. Previous to The Arc Michael Glanz served as the Vice President, Community Services for Melwood. Melwood is dynamic nonprofit serving more than 2,000 people in the greater Washington DC area by empowering them to transform their own lives through employment, various community services and recreational opportunities. Michael currently lives in Rock Island, Illinois and serves his community by being an active board member with the Kiwanis Club of Rock Island, The Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), The Arc of Illinois, the Autism Society of the Quad Cities and The Quad Cities Open Network. Michael provides leadership to agencies by ensuring they deliver person-directed services while fostering a culture of growth and innovation.
Michael earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s in Nonprofit and Association Management from the University of Maryland University College, a BS degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa, a Certificate in Leisure Studies from the University of Northern Iowa and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Justin Houcek
Justin Houcek is an Invisible Disabilities advocate and Founder of ASDwithME LLC. Justin is a dedicated and determined advocate bringing lived experience and professional expertise to leadership, policy and systems change.
Serving as a peer mentor, consultant, and advisor to individuals with autism and other invisible disabilities, their families, and public institutions. Able to achieve breakthroughs for individuals and their families where traditional approaches fall short.
Justin leverages advanced observational and pattern-recognition skills to provide practical insight, guidance, and problem-solving support. Providing insight grounded in decades of real-world experience to support successful effective outcomes across healthcare, public safety, and judicial systems.
Creator of ID VISIBLE, a card/decal system designed to improve interactions between individuals with invisible disabilities and 1st Responders. Partnering with multiple law enforcement agencies in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Justin was previously certified in BCAT or Board-Certified Autism Training.
He is a graduate of Illinois’ Partners in Policymaking (PIP) 2023.
Justin is currently a member of the Invisible Disabilities Association as well as Disability Lead. He is also currently on the committees or commissions of the Illinois Autism Task Force (IATF), the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Human Rights Authority (IGAC HRA), the CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee (CESSA SAC) and is with the Chicago Police Departments Training Community Advisory Committee (TCAC)
Justin is currently his Illinois State Senator Mary Edly-Allen’s Disability Advisor. He Helped facilitate and is a contributor of HB4567 proposed by Asst. Majority Leader Avelar.
Tareema Jean-Baptiste
Tareema Jean-Baptiste is the Early Childhood Special Education Family Professional Development Resource Specialist for Star Net Region V (City of Chicago). A dedicated expert in special education and family advocacy, Tareema brings both professional depth and personal passion to her work. Her dedication to the disability community was recently honored statewide when she was named the recipient of the 2025 Illinois Division for Early Childhood (IDEC) Family Engagement Award.
As a fierce advocate for her two sons, one who is autistic and epileptic, and one who has ADHD, Tareema has demonstrated exceptional diligence and an untiring drive to ensure they receive the support and services entitled to them under the law. She is deeply committed to sharing this expertise with other families, guiding them through their own unique journeys.
Through her personal and professional experiences, Tareema has gained specialized knowledge in executive function, behavior, and the impact of sensory-related issues on learning. She is a vocal champion for inclusion; she often attributes her oldest son’s success to his education in an inclusive, rather than separate, classroom.
Prior to joining Illinois STAR NET, Tareema served as a Programs Manager for the Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN), where she developed family-centered programming to promote inclusivity. Affectionately nicknamed “The Connector” by friends and family, she is excited to facilitate creative and equitable ways for families to connect throughout Chicago. Tareema lives in the Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood with her husband and three children.
Heather Moore
Heather L. Moore is an Illinois-licensed attorney and community leader dedicated to advancing the rights and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Her professional practice is complemented by a deep commitment to systemic advocacy, particularly within the legal and healthcare sectors.
Heather brings significant lived experience to her work, having navigated the complexities of disability support and healthcare systems for over two decades. Her history of service includes providing strategic legal guidance to caregivers of adults with disabilities and offering direct support within hospice and palliative care.
Shawna Pearson
Shawna Pearson is the President of Connect to Community, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, educational outreach, community inclusion, and employment. With over a decade of leadership in the Illinois disability services sector, Shawna has a strong track record of expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and increasing access to community-based support.
Prior to leading Connect to Community, she served as Director of Employment and Innovation at Little City Foundation, where she managed million-dollar budgets and increased state contracts by 30%. Her work has focused on implementing evidence-based models, including Individual Placement and Support (IPS). From her early roles in marketing to her current positions, Shawna brings a comprehensive perspective that bridges frontline care, corporate partnerships, and executive leadership.
Shawna’s commitment is deeply personal. As a mother of two sons with autism, she has firsthand experience navigating complex systems of care and is a dedicated advocate for families across Illinois. This lived experience informs her commitment to person-centered support, dignity, and true community inclusion.
Sean Sawicki
Sean Sawicki is a self-advocate who lives with Fragile X Syndrome. A graduate of Richards High School and District 218 Adult Transition Program, where he worked at High Five Heights. Sean is a ComEd Energy Force Ambassador, sharing energy efficent knowledge in the community. He is a volunteer at Mercy Circle, a Senior-Living Community and attends Park Lawn Day program. Sean is a frequent guest lecturer at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, School of Social Work, where he lectures in classes about living with Fragile X, advocacy and inclusion. Sean loves politics, Presidents and voting. He attended the Speak Up, Speak Out Summit in 2025 and has traveled to Washington DC to advocate for increased funding and laws that support people with disabilities. Sean is also a medal winning Special Olympian.
Sherell Sparks, CRC, LCPC
Tavarus Wesley
Tavarus Wesley is a former President of the self advocacy group PossABILITY Partners and chair of the Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance. Tavarus is a member of The Arc of Illinois board of directors, executive committee and also served on the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Tavarus is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking-IL. Tavarus is an accomplished presenter regularly speaking at the Illinois Speak Up and Speak Out Summit, and has presented at the National Self Advocates Becoming Empowered Conference, and at the Tennessee Mega Conference. In addition to his advocacy work Tavarus is a long time staff member on the maintenance team at New Star in Chicago Heights IL.
Sara Zielinski
Sara works as a pediatric occupational therapist, and is the Director of Occupational Therapy Services at an outpatient therapy clinic in Northern Illinois. Sara was inspired to pursue this profession through the lived experience of having brothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is through her brothers that Sara has learned how important disability advocacy is to ensure that supports and services are available for her brothers and others in the community.
Sara completed the Illinois’ Partners in Policymaking (Class 5) and graduated from the UIC LEND Program in 2025. Sara runs a non-profit that organizes the annual Disability Pride Event in Northern Illinois. The mission of the non-profit is to “Celebrate the beauty, diversity, and lived experiences of people with disabilities”. Sara also supports her local community by being a resource and consultant to support inclusivity and accessibility for park districts and other organization’s events. Sara is a member of the Birth to Five Illinois, Region 44 (McHenry County) Action Council, bringing her advocacy for the disability community to the early childhood education and care organization. She also sits on the advisory committee for the McHenry County College occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program, supporting the future of the occupational therapy profession.
Lore Baker
Lore Baker is a highly respected supportive housing and homeless services expert. Ms. Baker is currently the President and CEO of the Association for Individual Development (AID) headquartered in Aurora, Illinois and serving Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, McHenry, Northwestern Cook, DuPage and Will Counties. Since 1961, AID has served individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or mental health challenges, those in crisis situations and those at risk. Vital, life-enriching services that promote the highest level of independence and community immersion include: autism programs; permanent supportive housing; in-home support; developmental and vocational training; job placement and on-the-job coaching services; crisis intervention; victims services; mental health treatment; behavioral intervention; health and wellness; community education; and advocacy. Operating in the greater Fox Valley area and other western suburban counties, AID is a leading provider of services that address the unique needs of individuals throughout every stage of their lives. Serving over 6,400 children and adults, AID operates community day centers in Elgin, Aurora, Batavia and Yorkville; mental health outpatient clinics throughout the Fox Valley; supports over 1,000 individuals living in their own apartments; and more than 200 individuals in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) scattered throughout the greater Fox Valley.