Join the Movement!

You are here

Illinois // About // Illinois Staff

Illinois Staff

  • Mimi Rodman

    Executive Director
    mrodman@stand.org
    312.626.2604
    Education policy has been a key interest of Mimi’s since she co-authored a book on Access to Higher Education as part of her senior project in college. Mimi has been active in education matters, ranging from the restructure of a school district’s report card and conferencing system to being a room mom.

  • Nikhil Angelo

    Chicago Organizer
    nangelo@stand.org
    312.626.2598

    The one truism Nikhil’s Indian immigrant parents instilled in him is that education is the most important gift we can give our children. Raised in suburban Chicago and a graduate of public schools, Nikhil went on to study biology at Washington University in St.

  • Jacquelyn Dortch

    Family Engagement Manager
    jdortch@stand.org
    312.626.2608

    Jacquelyn Dortch joined the Stand Illinois family in September of 2011. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Jacquelyn has lived the life that she has worked to improve for others.

  • Juan Jose Gonzalez

    Chicago Director
    jjgonzalez@stand.org
    312.626.2609
    Born in Tijuana, Baja California, Juan Jose grew up in the East Los Angeles and Montebello area of California until he was 18 years old.

  • Jessica Handy

    Government Affairs Director
    jhandy@stand.org
    312.404.0223
    Jessica grew up in Springfield, Illinois and continues to live and work in the capitol city with her daughter. She earned her B.A. in Spanish and History at Millikin University, spending a semester in the Dominican Republic teaching English to middle school girls.

  • Donna Hardy

    Chicago Organizer
    dhardy@stand.org
    312.730.4416
    Immediately upon her arrival to Chicago from Alabama, Donna began working on the historic campaign to elect Chicago’s first African American Mayor. This was a life changing experience for someone who had just arrived to the windy city on a Greyhound bus from the rural south.

  • Mary McClelland

    Marketing & Communications Director
    mmcclelland@stand.org
    312.626.2607
    Mary McClelland is a native Chicagoan who has spent nearly fifteen years working to better our country through a host of advocacy and electoral organizations. In the fall of 2010, she joined Stand for Children as the Illinois Marketing & Communications Director.

  • Jaela Neal

    Online Organizer
    jneal@stand.org

    Jaela Neal received her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College with a BA in English. She also received dual master’s degrees in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, Gerald Ford School of Public Policy.

  • Elizabeth Okey

    Development Manager
    eokey@stand.org
    312.626.2596
    Growing up in Manchester, Michigan with two highly engaged parents serving as administrators and school board members, Elizabeth grew up in public schools. She learned from a young age the influence and impact that teachers, administrators and schools have in the development of youth and their surrounding communities.

  • Patrese Williams

    State Operations Coordinator
    pwilliams@stand.org
    312.626.2596

    Patrese grew up in Joliet, IL and is the product of the Illinois Public School System.  She graduated from Robert Morris College with a Bachelor’s in Business Management and has a background in the financial services industry.  After having children, she grew a strong de