In her new role, Dr. Garate will lead the next phase of the organization’s growth, including a focus on several new initiatives, core operations and strategic planning and development. “Teresa is a longtime advocate for individuals with disabilities and brings an exceptional background in public policy, planning and program implementation at an important moment in our organization’s history,” said Bill Power, Board Chair.

With an over 20-year career in the field of disabilities, Dr. Garate was most recently appointed by Governor Pat Quinn as the Assistant Director at the Illinois Department of Public Health and has served in that position since 2009. Formerly a senior level administrator in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who served as the Chief of Staff for the Office of Specialized Services during Arne Duncan’s administration, Dr. Garate is experienced in strategic plan development, program implementation and monitoring, research and accountability and budget and personnel management. Prior to CPS, Dr. Garate served as the Center Director of the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “I am honored that the Board has chosen me as the next leader of Neumann. I look forward to working with the entire Neumann team to continue to the good work of the agency. It is my goal to ensure that this organization is well positioned to continue to serve as a leader in community inclusion of people with disabilities,” said Dr. Garate.

Dr. Garate has a long history of service and leadership to community organizations, city and state agencies. She is the current Chair of Governor Quinn’s Anti-Violence Commission as well as the Co-Chair of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority. Dr. Garate formerly served as a Member of the Illinois State Advisory Council to the Governor on Disability, an Advisory Board Member of the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research and an Advisory Board Member of the Chicago Park District Disability Policy Steering Committee, among many other appointments in the field of disabilities. Dr. Garate holds a B.S. in Applied Psychology, a B.S. Ed. in Special Education, a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

To find out more about Neumann Family Services, please click here. For questions please contact Beth Valukas at bvalukas@neumannfamilyservices.org.