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.

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 President of ILOTA, she served in roles such as the Networking Coordinator and Conference Chair.

Works with the President through the remainder of his/her term and will become the next President.

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. Prior to her current role as President-Elect Bev served as the ILOTA Executive Board Secretary and Conference Co-Chair in 2019. Bev continues to see children as an OTR with Community Therapy Services.

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).

Moira P. Bushell, OTD, MEd, OTR/L, BCP is a school-based occupational therapist. Moira has always had a dedication to servant leadership and has volunteered with the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association in various roles since she was a student. She participated in the Emerging Leaders Development Program in 2016, with a focus on educating occupational therapy practitioners about federal education law and how to elevate their practices. This is an interest area for Moira, and she has presented at several state and national conferences about the impact of education law on occupational therapy practice. 

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.

Christy Rojas M.OTR/L is a Lead occupational therapist in Chicago Public Schools supporting practitioners throughout the central part of the city as students at a Northwest side school. She has served ILOTA in the past as Conference Co-chair helping grow conference to record attendance levels. Christy is an alum of North Park University and Midwestern University. Her special interests include school based practice, Traumatic brain injury rehab, Trauma informed care and mental health. 

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

Molly Bathje, PhD, OTR/L is Assistant Professor at Rush University in the Department of Occupational Therapy.  Her teaching focuses on mental health practice and the impact of psychological, social, socioeconomic, and cultural influences on occupations.  Her research focuses on health care disparities faced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to serving as ILOTA’s Director of Communications, Molly served as the Newsletter Coordinator.

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 April 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          

Developmental Disabilities: Rita Moore            

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

Early Intervention: Clare Giuffrida and Jennie de la Rosa Manas  

Gerontology: Rhonda Guzman and Lisa Knecht-Sabres   

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

Mental Health: Maddy Nave and Ryan Thomure                 

Neurorehabilitation: Kelcey Bines and Elsie Pollari            

Orthopedic & Upper Extremity Rehab: Susanne Higgins and Dana Lingle 

Pediatrics: Elizabeth Kohler-Rausch and Stephanie Alvarado

School-Based Practice: Michelle Ponsolle-Mays and Carol Michels

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

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

Bylaws Coordinator: Cassondra Jackson

AOTA Representative:  Misty Ayers-Cumbow

Archives Co-Coordinator: Ashley Stoffel              

Archives Co-Coordinator: Kathy Preissner          

Nominations Coordinator: Minetta Wallingford

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: (Vacant)

Newsletter Coordinator: Morgan Stasell      

Website Coordinator: Sara Kopera

Social Media Coordinator: Gabriela Carmona

Blog Coordinator: Marquie Price

Student Co-Liaisons: Marisa Monbrod, Nicole Santillo, and Maddie Tomlinson

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