Meet the 2022 Board of Directors

Tricia Nelson Becker previously worked in medical research administration, specifically in the area of human research subject ethics and in the generation of medical research protocols. She is a board member of the Springfield Art Association and the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, is an active member of District 186 Parent Teacher Organizations, and is a troop leader for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Within the Community Foundation community, she has been a member of Young Philanthropists, Women for Women and the Advisory Council.

Jen DeJong is an advocate for causes that elevate women and children out of poverty, from as far away as Kenya to here locally in Springfield. She has also been a youth director at various Presbyterian churches over the last 20 years and recently retired from Ministry Architects, a church consulting firm. Jen currently is on the board of Illinois Women in Leadership and Wooden It Be Lovely. She has also been a member of Young Philanthropists, Women for Women and served on the Community Foundation's Advisory Council.

Jane Denes is a partner at Posegate & Denes, P.C. in Springfield. Among her many volunteer activities, Ms. Denes is a founding member of the Women for Women giving circle, including serving as chairperson of the Steering and Grant Committees.

Wendi Wills El-Amin, M.D. is on the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as an associate professor of family medicine. She provides care at the Center for Family Medicine in Springfield. She is dually appointed to SIU's Department of Medical Education and is an academic strategist. She is also on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois. Dr. El-Amin was recently appointed the associate dean of Equity Diversity and Inclusion at SIU School of Medicine. She has a passion for addressing disparities and inequities in healthcare.

Steve Etheridge is the retired co-owner and CFO of the Henson Robinson Company where he applied practical financial and payroll knowledge to fulfill the mission of serving businesses and residents of central Illinois. Steve cares deeply about his community as he was also a Chatham Jaycee for several years. Additionally, he was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Men's Club, a volunteer golf coach at Blessed Sacrament School, and he currently volunteers at St. Martin de Porres.

Al Grosboll is retired from a career in government and public policy advocacy.  Most recently, his work focused on advancing clean energy and energy efficiency, preserving natural resources and environmental protection. He was active in Illinois state government for 26 years, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Governor Jim Edgar, as well as other positions. Mr. Grosboll and his family live in Petersburg where he is active in local and statewide non-profit organizations, including New Salem Lincoln League, PORTA Education Foundation, The Wetlands Initiative and Edgar Fellows Program.

Cynthia Lamar is an experienced community volunteer with many years of leadership with the Junior League of Springfield. She is a founding member of Women for Women and has served on its grants and program committees. She is also active in Blessed Sacrament Parish, where she chaired its 2016 annual auction and serves on its school advisory board and development committee.

Sammi Mander is a community organizer, advocate and volunteer. For the last decade, Mander has championed and advocated for social causes involving women and youth. She has used her marketing skills to engage diverse stakeholders and garner support and resources for homeless women, victims of substance and domestic abuse, and for youth from fatherless homes. Mander has crafted and helped organize fundraisers for the American Diabetes Association, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, American Nepal Medical Foundation, HSHS St. John's Childrens' Hospital, Mercy communities, Inc., and The Outlet. Her most recent work involved the creation and implementation of Breath for India, a campaign undertaken to provide lifesaving oxygen equipment and essential PPE to areas devasted by the second wave of COVID-19 in parts of rural India.

Kent Massie is a senior landscape architect and planner at the consulting firm of MassieMassie+Associates in Springfield. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Massie worked as a landscape architect in the Chicago area and western Illinois prior to coming to the Illinois Department of Conservation (now Natural Resources) where he developed master plans for state historic sites and state parks. He volunteers in many community environmental, historic preservation, and arts organizations including Lincoln Memorial Garden, New Salem Lincoln League, and the recently organized Sangamon River Alliance. Kent’s partner in business and life is Sue Massie, and they have one daughter, Anna.

Kenyatta Revelle is the Principal of Iles School (Gifted Magnet School grades 1-8 and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program grades 1-5) in Springfield Public Schools District #186. She has 20 years of experience working as an educator and administrator in Springfield. Kenyatta also taught in Ashikaga, Japan for three years. She is currently serving on the board of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children. Within the Community Foundation, she has been a member of The Council and served on the Scholarship Committee. Kenyatta and her husband Chris are parents to twins, a son and daughter.

Mark Staley grew up in Decatur, graduated from Illinois State, and earned an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Master’s of Sports Administration at Xavier. He previously worked as a Trust administrator at N.B.D. bank in Wheaton before working in the public relations department for the Cincinnati Reds. He presently is a general partner for SB Partners, which specializes in private equity and other alternative investments. In addition, Mark has served on several boards and is an emeritus trustee at Millikin University. He currently lives in Springfield with his wife Julie and two children, Alex and Lucas.

Bruce E. Thompson, CPA, CFP, is a tax partner at Sikich with more than 31 years of experience in tax compliance and estate planning. Prior to his work at Sikich, he was director of tax services at McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. Bruce has served as a board member for several non-profits including Crisis Pregnancy Center; Knights of Columbus 4179; Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation, where he served as treasurer; and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chatham.