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

Executive Committee:

President:  Anne Kiraly-Alvarez

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.

President Elect: N/A

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

Interim Secretary:  Robin Jones

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.

Director of Finance:  Moira Bushell

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).

Director of Advocacy:  Carol Michels

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.

Carol M. Michels, Ed.D., OTR/L is the Director of District Services at Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED), leading OT, PT, APE, SLP, Nursing, and AT teams in supporting students across age and ability levels. As the Director of Advocacy for the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA), Carol’s focus is on expanding the interest and involvement of every occupational therapist and providing a structured approach to systematically identify practice and leadership barriers and create a unified voice to overcome these barriers and pave the way for new levels of influence.

Director of Membership:  Christy Rojas

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.

Director of Communications:  Molly Bathje

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. 

Executive Director: George Buckley

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 Committee, SIS Chairs and Co-chairs, and Committee Chairs and Coordinators):

Special Interest Section (SIS) Chairs and Co-chairs:

Academic Education: Kathy Preissner     

Administration & Management: Nancy Richman and Frank Czuba                

Assistive Technology: Joy Hyzny and Christine Miller        

OTA: Emily Daniels          

Developmental Disabilities: Rita Moore and Kasey Kotsiris            

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Sam Wallenberg    

Early Intervention: Clare Giuffrida and Jennie de la Rosa Manas  

Gerontology: Rhonda Guzman and Lisa Knecht-Sabres   

Home & Community Health: Monika Robinson  

Mental Health: (Vacant)                 

Neurorehabilitation: Kelcey Bines and Elsie Pollari            

Orthopedic & Upper Extremity Rehab: Susanne Higgins and Dana Lingle 

Pediatrics: Lauren Little

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

Sensory Integration: Caren Schranz 

Committee Chairs and Coordinators:

Bylaws Committee: Cassondra Jackson

AOTA Representative:  Misty Ayers-Cumbow

Archives Co-Chair: Ashley Stoffel              

Archives Co-Chair: Kathy Preissner          

Nominations: Minetta Wallingford

Recruitment Coordinator: Sarah Zera

CE Coordinator: Sarah Zera         

CE Approval Co-Chair: Elizabeth Kohler-Rausch  

CE Approval Co-Chair: Siddhi Parikh        

Conference Chair: Maria Coronelli

Reimbursement Coordinator: Nancy Richman    

Public Policy Coordinator: Kathy Webb

Awards: Abigail Swidergal            

Professional Development Coordinator: La'Taria Overstreet                        

Networking Coordinator: Brian Herr

Newsletter Coordinator: Allie Peuler      

Website Coordinator: Sara Kopera

Social Media Coordinator: Brielle Holt

Blog Coordinator: Stephanie McCammon

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