Our Staff

 

Our Staff


 

We are a diverse team with professional experience and expertise in and beyond the classroom. Individually and collectively, we are committed to building and supporting an education system that provides equitable opportunities for every student in every corner of our state.

 
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  • Robin Steans

    President

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  • Nicole Bela

    Director of Development

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  • Cheryl Flores

    Director of Community Engagement

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  • Bravetta Hassell

    Director of Communications

    bhassell@advanceillinois.org

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  • Jennifer Kirmes

    Director of Policy

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  • Jelani Saadiq

    Director of Government Relations

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  • Jim O’Connor

    Project Director

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  • Kelsey Bakken

    Senior Policy Advisor

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  • Maya Portillo

    Senior Policy Advisor
    Early Childhood

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  • Isabel Enad

    Senior Community Engagement Associate

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  • Eucarol Juarez

    Senior Communications Associate

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  • Maty Ortega Cruz

    Senior Community Engagement Associate

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  • Eyob Villa-Moges

    Senior Policy Associate

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  • Mercedes Wentworth-Nice

    Senior Policy Associate

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  • Kathleen Kimmey

    Early Childhood Policy Associate

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  • Berenice Martinez

    Policy Associate

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  • Jeremiah Phillips

    Development Associate

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  • Fiona Fleming

    Executive Assistant & Office Manager

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