ILOTA's governance structure and bylaws separate the volunteer leadership into two groups: The Executive Board and the Full Board:

Executive Board:

Oversees the current and future functions of the organization. Leads the board of directors to move the organization forward and ensuring the organization addresses the needs of the membership across the state. Follows and updates the organizational by-laws to ensure continuity. Networks with the Presidents from neighboring state associations. Ensures state representation with the AOTA.

Beverly Menninger, MA, OTR/L is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at North Central College in Naperville, IL. She received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California. Bev served as the ILOTA Executive Board Secretary and Conference Co-Chair in 2019. Bev continues to see children as an OTR in an outpatient pediatric setting.

Submits formal notes from all organizational meetings. Oversees the Archives.

Robin Jones is the Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center and an Instructor in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Robin has served as director since the Center’s inception in 1991.  She received her associate degree in Occupational Therapy from Madison Area Technical College, her bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Loyola University and her Master’s in Public Service Administration from DePaul University.

Organizes and manages budgetary information (manages accounting system, including but not limited to account coding, labeling of line items and proper assignment of debits and credits).

Dalmina Arias, OTD, OTR/L is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at The University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also an occupational therapist at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago and provides services in the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. Dr. Arias specializes in chronic disease self-management among Black and Latinx populations and has extensive knowledge and experience developing sustainable interventions that promote health equity and healthy living. Her research interests include health promotion and providing culturally responsive care among communities experiencing access barriers. 

Oversees the advocacy of Occupational Therapy within the state seeking out barriers facing our profession including public policy and reimbursement. Collaborate with AOTA and state lobbyists to further promote and protect the role of occupational therapy.

Brenda Koverman, PhD, MBA, MS, OTR/L is director of rehabilitation services, post-acute service line administrator and assistant professor of occupational therapy at Rush University Medical Center.  Prior to her role as director of advocacy, Brenda served as president of ILOTA, legislative co-chair of ILOTA , district chair of ILOTA, people power chair of AOTA conference and AOTPAC board of director.  

Addresses ways to increase and retain membership in order to safeguard the practice of Occupational Therapy practice in Illinois.  Oversees the professional development committee which organizes our annual conference.  Maintains the current membership database.

Anne Kiraly-Alvarez, OTD, OTR/L, SCSS is Associate Professor and Director of Capstone Development in the Occupational Therapy Program at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL.  Her clinical experience is primarily in school-based practice. Her research interests include doctoral capstones, life skills interventions for adolescents & young adults with intellectual and developmental disability, and exploring cultural influences on occupation. Prior to becoming the Director of Membership, she served in roles such as the ILOTA President, Networking Coordinator, and Conference Chair.

Oversees all communication methods provided by the organization including the Communiqué newsletter, social media, and the website.

Michelle Hanawalt received her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in 2013. She began her career in adult inpatient rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on the medically complex unit. She expanded her skills while working in home health and PRN float in acute/ ICU, and ECF. She is adept at working with individuals with diverse backgrounds and employs a multicultural approach in her treatment. Michelle has always loved pediatrics and transitioned to outpatient pediatrics in 2019.  She believes in every child reaching their full potential and creating client and parent centered goals. Over the years she has continued to take continuing education courses to enhance her knowledge and patient care. Amongst many, Michelle completed training in the SOS method, Astronaut Training, ALERT Training, and Handwriting Without Tears.  Michelle enjoys spending time with her 2 kids, nature, traveling to see her extended family in Minnesota, and running. 

You may email [email protected] to contact any of the board members. 

Is typically the first contact to the organization. Communicates with the general public, members and directs communication to the appropriate resource.

Full ILOTA Board (includes the Executive Board, SIS Coordinators and Co-Coordinators, and Committee Coordinators and Co-Coordinators):

Special Interest Section (SIS) Coordinators and Co-Coordinators (updated September 2022):

Academic Education: Kathy Preissner and Catherine Killian

Administration & Management: Nancy Richman and Frank Czuba                

Assistive Technology: Joy Hyzny and Kathleen Ellis        

OTA: Emily Daniels and Ruby Loera

Developmental Disabilities: Rita Moore            

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI): Sam Wallenberg, Lillian Chen-Byerley, and Dalmina Arias    

Early Intervention: Clare Giuffrida   

Gerontology: Lisa Knecht-Sabres   

Home & Community Health: Monika Robinson, Ruby Loera, and Jordyn Fulton

Mental Health: Maddy Nave and Ryan Thomure                 

Neurorehabilitation: Vacant            

Orthopedic & Upper Extremity Rehab: Susanne Higgins and Dana Lingle 

Pediatrics: Elizabeth Kohler-Rausch and Stephanie Alvarado

School-Based Practice: Michelle Ponsolle-Mays

Sensory Integration and Processing (SIP): Caren Schranz, Samantha Holzschu, and Kyra Bariller

Committee Coordinators and Co-Coordinators (updated September 2022):

Bylaws Coordinator: Cassondra Jackson

AOTA Representative: Maud Makoni

Archives Co-Coordinator: Ashley Stoffel              

Archives Co-Coordinator: Kathy Preissner          

Nominations Coordinator: Hannah Kaytonah

Recruitment Coordinator: Sarah Zera

CE Coordinator: Sarah Zera         

CE Approval Co-Coordinator: Lauren Nale  

CE Approval Co-Coordinator: Siddhi Parikh        

Conference Coordinator: Veronica Fowler

Conference Co-Coordinator: Linda Riccio

Student Conclave Co-Coordinator: Liz Berton

Student Conclave Co-Coordinator: Emily Harstad

Reimbursement Coordinator: Nancy Richman    

Public Policy Coordinator: Kathy Webb

Awards Coordinator: Abigail Swidergal            

Professional Development Coordinator: La'Taria Overstreet                        

Networking Coordinator: Erin Suchy

Newsletter Coordinator: Morgan Stasell      

Website Coordinator: Sara Kopera

Social Media Coordinator: Gabriela Carmona

Blog Coordinator: Samantha Tupas

Student Co-Liaisons: Vacant

Fieldwork Coordinator: Phyllis Hughes

Community Outreach Coordinator: Bridget Hahn

Accessibility Coordinator: Vacant

Leadership Development Committee Coordinator: John Dudzik

Retention Coordinator: Vacant

If you would like to contact any Executive Board or Full Board member, please email [email protected]. Thank you!