Strategic Planning Committees

Committees of dedicated staff across Extension will help advance the organizational goals determined through the strategic planning process. Each committee will support one of Extension's eight signature initiatives and includes staff who possess the leadership skills, dedication, and commitment needed to drive these initiatives forward successfully.

Initiative Champion Duties

Initiative Champions play a key role in setting and advocating for initiative-level objectives and key results. Their responsibilities include:

  • Collaborating with the Strategy, Planning and Implementation Unit to develop project and resource plans.
  • Setting goals and milestones, ensuring progress aligns with timelines and budgets.
  • Promoting initiatives internally and externally, engaging stakeholders, and addressing resistance by highlighting benefits.
  • Collecting and relaying stakeholder feedback, ensuring necessary resources are obtained, and identifying and removing obstacles.
  • Communicating progress, updates, and successes to the Strategy, Planning, and Implementation Unit and Leadership Team.

Initiative Workgroup Member Duties

Workgroup Members are essential in executing signature initiatives and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Their responsibilities include:

  • Establishing milestones, tracking progress, and addressing obstacles promptly.
  • Identifying potential risks, developing mitigation strategies, and fostering cooperation across departments and stakeholders.
  • Adapting strategies based on changing circumstances, making data-driven adjustments, and seeking opportunities for process improvement.
  • Maintaining detailed records and celebrating milestones and achievements.

Committees Support Eight Signature Initiatives

Community

Champion

  • Amy Henschen, 4-H Evaluation Specialist 4-H 

Workgroup Members

  • Katie Bell, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator 
  • Shelby Carlson, 4-H Educator 
  • Jody Johnson, County Director 
  • Dale Kehr, Snap-Ed Educator  
  • Mark White, Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development    

Ex Officio

  • Kevin Carey, Acting Director of 4-H Youth Development/Senior Program Lead, Positive Youth Development

Economy

Champion

  • Adena Wilson, Online Instructional Services Manager

Workgroup Members

  • Jamie Mahlandt, Finance Educator 
  • Jessie McClusky, County Director 
  • Johns Shadowens, Community, and Economic Educator 
  • Mynda Tracy, 4-H Youth Development Educator 
  • Megan Pierson, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator 
  • Gerald Mashange, Assistant Professor and Extension Faculty Specialist 

Ex Officio

  • Camaya Wallace Bechard, Assistant Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access 

Environment

Champion

  • Shibu Kar, Assistant Dean: Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program Leader. Associate Director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant 

Workgroup Members

  • Michelle Berg, Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator
  • Chris Evans, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist
  • Trent Ford, Prairie Research Institute and State Climatologist
  • Abigail Garofalo, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator
  • Erin Garrett, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator
  • Russell Medley, Community and Economic Development Educator
  • Bin Peng, Assistant Professor, Crop Sciences

Ex Officio

  • Travis Burke, Assistant Dean, Agriculture/Agri-Business Program Leader

Food and Agriculture

Champion

  • Talon Becker, Commercial Agriculture Specialist

Workgroup Members

  • Beth Chatterton, 4-H Program Coordinator
  • Sarah Farley, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator
  • Joseph Malual, Extension Specialist, Community and Economic Development
  • Angie Messmer, County Director, and Director of DSAC
  • Boris Camiletti, Assistant Professor of Crop Sciences and Extension Faculty Specialist
  • Nick Paulson, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs, Extension Faculty Specialist

Ex Officio

  • Jennifer McCaffrey, Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant Dean

Health

Champion

  • Margarita Teran-Garcia, Assistant Dean for Integrated Health Disparities Programs 

Workgroup Members

  • Gina Adams, 4-H Youth Development Educator-Metro
  • Veronica Aranda, Community Health Educator
  • Brodie Dunn, Extension Outreach Associate, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy
  • Lisa Peterson, Nutrition and Wellness Educator
  • Susan Sloop, Extension Specialist, Youth Development in Health and Wellness
  • Allen Barton, Assistant Professor and Extension Faculty Specialist

Ex Officio

  • Janice McCoy, Assistant Director Region 2

Partnerships

Champion

  • Michelle Cox, County Director

Workgroup Members

  • Laquitsha Bejoile-Hayes, Extension Outreach Associate, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food. Agriculture. Nutrition. (JJK FAN) Initiative
  • Lynn Heins, County Director
  • Erin Hollinshead, Director, Energy Education Council
  • Evangeline Pianfetti, Government Relations Outreach Associate, Director of Illini Science Policy Program
  • Constance Willis, Community Health Educator
  • Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Extension Specialist

Ex Officio

  • Bridget Lee Calfas, Director of Marketing and Communications

Technology and Discovery

Champion

  • James Hazzard, Director of Information Technology

Workgroup Members

  • Norma Gonzalez, Program Manager, Integrated Health Disparities
  • Carissa Nelson, State 4-H Marketing Manager
  • Cassie O’Connell, Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator
  • Nancy Ouedraogo, Extension State Specialist, Community Economic Development
  • Jay Solomon, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator

Ex Officio

  • Carl Baker, Assistant Director of Government Relations

Workforce Excellence

Champion

  • Amanda Taylor, Associate Director, Workforce Development

Workgroup Members

  • Sugan Glassman, Nutrition and Wellness Educator
  • Doug Harlan, Assistant Director Region 3
  • Molly Hofer, Family Life Educator
  • Cindy Ogwal, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, College, and Career Readiness
  • Erin Orwig, County Director

Ex Officio

  • Durriyyah Kemp, Assistant Director Region 1