McKinley Foundation Board of Directors, enacting the mission of the Foundation through service and engagement.
Alicia Trezise, President
Social Worker, Urbana High School
Alicia has lived in Champaign-Urbana since arriving in 1983 for her undergraduate program at the U of I. Following her BA in Psychology and her MSW degree, she worked for several years for the Children’s Home and Aid Society at the Roundhouse Shelter for Runaway and Homeless Youth. It was at the Roundhouse where she met fellow youth worker and eventual husband Don Hittle. Together, they raised three amazing sons who are all grown and paying their own bills! Currently, Alicia is working as a school social worker at Urbana High school. She loves the social justice work and projects that the McKinley foundation supports.
Lauryn Lehman, Vice President
Senior Academic Advisor, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois
Following her MS in Library & Information Sciences and MA in African Studies from UIUC, Lauryn began her professional career as an academic librarian working at higher ed institutions in Michigan and Illinois. She transitioned to a career in academic advising and undergraduate student affairs roughly five years ago, and now works as a Senior Academic Advisor at the Gies College of Business at UIUC. She lives in Urbana and spends her free time gardening, crafting, and baking.
Brandon Young-Eleazar, Secretary
Choir Director, Sixth Grade Center, Urbana School District
A recent graduate of UIUC, Brandon is now teaching locally and pursing his graduate degree in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership. They are pleased to be a Student Director for McKinley Foundation and a member of McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church. In addition to their commitments as a student, they are the Assistant Director for Amasong, the CU feminist choir.
Grear Kimmel, Treasurer
Retired Communications Specialist, College of ACES, University of Illinois
Grear came to Champaign in 1974 to take a job in the WICD television newsroom. He spent five years on the staff of the CU Mass Transit District before joining ACES in 1983. In addition to his work experience, Grear has served on number boards, including the McKinley Presbyterian Church Session (Clerk), CU United Way, the (former) Urban League of Champaign County, and South Side School PTA (President). He and his wife Linda Kimmel (of 50+ years) have a daughter and granddaughter, both of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. His principal hobby is bicycling.
Jordan Billingsley, Director
Senior Design Technology Manager, Hord Coplan Macht
Margo Chaney, Director
Retired Exhibits Manager, University of Illinois Press
Margo came to Champaign-Urbana in 1986 to work on a doctoral degree in historical musicology at the University of Illinois. She grew up Southern Baptist but came to McKinley Presbyterian Church in 2002 , where she put down roots as a member, choir director (2002-2015), and later an ordained elder. Margo retired from a lucky career at the University of Illinois Press in 2021. Digging in the dirt renews her spirit, as does traveling with her wife Carol, and having long conversations with friends over coffee or wine.
Cristy Gillespie, Director
Director of Marketing, Experience Champaign-Urbana
As Director of Marketing for Experience Champaign-Urbana, Cristy is passionate about promoting the area as a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive community. She serves on the board of 40 North, Champaign County’s Arts Council, where she helped coordinate the organization’s website redesign and consulted on its strategic plan. Her love for Champaign-Urbana shines through years of community involvement—volunteering, hosting a rock show on WEFT, skating with the Twin City Derby Girls, and taking art and design classes at Parkland College. Outside of work, Cristy enjoys marveling at local art, playing music, practicing yoga, painting, and hanging out with family, friends, and pets.
Erica Kolson, Student Director
Instructor of Record and PhD Student, University of Illinois
Erica is a PhD student and instructor of record at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a member of McKinley Presbyterian Church. She studies sociopolitical communication with a particular interest in how faith-based rhetoric, performance, and relationality shape, impact, and empower communities. She is passionate about social justice, interfaith engagement, and supporting students through community-building, and is grateful for the opportunity to advance the McKinley Foundation’s mission in these areas.
Rev. Cindy Shepherd, Director
Energy Builder Director, Faith in Place
Rev. Shepherd joined Faith in Place’s Central Illinois staff in June 2014, after serving as a parish pastor in Wisconsin, Kansas and Illinois. As Green Team Director for the organization, 2022-2024, she helped Faith in Place expand to include 275+ Green Teams in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Recently she accepted a role as Energy Builder Director. In that capacity, she is about the business of ensuring that Illinois’ rural residents and communities share in the benefits of clean and renewable energy.
Cindy grew up in the rolling hills of Kansas and has lived in Illinois for more than 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from the University of Kansas and Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is married to Tim Hartin and has three children who live both near and far.
Lillianna Shields, Student Director
PhD Student, University of Illinois
Lillianna a 2nd year PhD student in the Department of Communication. Her research interests focus on patient-provider communication, as well as how healthcare can become more equitable for marginalized groups. Outside of research, she is an avid fly fisherman, thrifter, and reader. You can usually find her at Dana Colbert Park fly fishing for blue gill and bass. Lilli comes from Indianapolis, IN where she grew up in the Presbyterian Church. She is passionate about reaching and mentoring other young queer adults who may feel that they do not have a place at church. She leads with the belief and truth that Jesus loves all, comforts all, and welcomes all. One of her favorite parables is the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-31), which represents her faith journey.
Melissa Steinkoenig, Director
Director for General Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Melissa has worked for the University of Illinois since 2007 and is currently the Director for General Education. She has spent the majority of her life in the area, and currently lives in Urbana with her husband Mike and dog Max. She attended McKinley Church throughout her youth (Newell family), and participated in many service trips, including ones to New York City, North Dakota, and Mexico. She earned all three of her degrees (BS, EdM, PhD) at the U of I. She has been a mentor with C-U One to One and a CASA guardian ad litem. Melissa loves art, crafting, sports, traveling, reading, live music, and spending time with family.
Kathie Spegal, Director
Director, Illinois Radio Reader, Illinois Public Media
Kathie has served the CU community in various positions and is a strong advocate for inclusion and volunteer management. She was on the Foundation Board before and during the building of Presby Hall. McKinley has been a strong pillar of the community because of its position on diversity and inclusion and she is looking forward to serving on the Foundation Board once again.
Kathy Sweedler, Director
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site Coordinator, University of Illinois
Originally, from California, Kathy Sweedler has lived and worked in Urbana Illinois for over 30 years. Until recently, Kathy worked for University of Illinois Extension teaching personal finance in local communities. She earned her MS at University of Arizona, and BS at University of California at Davis. Kathy is currently exploring retirement and trying out new activities like working with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a partnership between Gies College of Business and Salt & Light. Kathy is enjoying more time traveling, spending time with family, and researching family genealogy.