Our board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and for bringing about a more just society. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised are of benefit to the community.
Board Officers:
Rev. Martin Woulfe, President
Jan Von Qualen
Roy Williams, Jr.
Sr. Marilyn Jean Runkel
Board Members:
Sadieka Qadeem
Ulonda Gladney
Tamera Duncan
Dr. Glenn Walton
Linda Byrd
Vanessa Knox
Jim Dixon
Rev. Silas Johnson
Staff
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Shelly Heideman - Former Executive Director/Consultant
Shelly was born and raised in rural Nebraska, the eldest of ten children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas. She and her husband, Wayne, have been married for 37 years and are the parents of four children and grandparents of eight grandchildren. They have lived in Pleasant Plains, IL for 33 years, where Shelly served as mayor from 1993-2001. She was the executive director of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Program, a small nonprofit social service agency, for 8 years.
Shelly is currently the Executive Director and Lead Organizer of Faith Coalition for the Common Good, a faith based nonprofit organization which addresses social justice issues and trains people affected by racism and poverty to have a voice in the decisions which affect their families and community.
In December 2022 Shelly retired and is now working as an FCCG consultant.
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Tyshianna Bankhead
Lead Community Organizer
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Emma Shafer
Digital & Community Organizer, Environmental Justice and Integrated Voter Engagement
Emma grew up in Springfield, IL and is grateful to live and work in her hometown. She is a graduate of The New School ('21, BA in Urban Studies), Lincoln Land Community College (Political Science). She is passionate about food and housing justice. In her spare time you will find her singing, hosting friends, and loving on Springfield in every way possible. -
Quonie Barney
Community Organizer, Transformational Justice
Quonie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is currently working towards his BA in Minister Leadership at Grace University. Quonie has called Springfield home for three years and plans to keep it that way. He is most passionate about solving injustice against humans; advocating especially for people who have been incarcerated and have mental illnesses.