The Heart of Illinois United Way welcomed community leaders, nonprofit partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters on June 18 for its Annual Meeting, celebrating the collective impact made possible through collaboration across central Illinois.
The evening included the election of board members and officers, recognition of outstanding volunteer and community leadership, presentation of the Jim and Katie Owens Partner Award, and highlights from the organization’s newly completed regional Community Assessment.
Honoring Outgoing Board Members
Board Chair Sid Ruckriegel opened the meeting by recognizing four outgoing members of the Board of Directors for their dedicated service and leadership, including Kylene Anthony, Mike Bass, Mary Sparks Thompson, and Andrea Tortora.
The Heart of Illinois United Way extends its sincere appreciation to each of these individuals for their commitment to strengthening communities throughout central Illinois.
Welcoming New Board Leadership
Members in attendance elected a slate of board members and officers to guide the organization during the coming year.
Re-elected to second three-year terms were:
- Michelle Conger, OSF HealthCare
- Leon Hendricks, WEEK and HOI ABC
- Pastor Chad Manbeck, Richwoods Christian Church
- Leanne Skuse, River City Construction
- Karl Weiss, Caterpillar Retiree
The organization also welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors.
Anne Bowman, MBA
Anne Bowman serves as Director of Oncology at Carle Health Methodist Hospital, where she leads oncology services across multiple programs and disciplines. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare and the nonprofit sector, she is recognized for building high-performing teams, expanding access to care, and improving patient and community health outcomes.
A longtime supporter of the Heart of Illinois United Way, Bowman previously served as a Generation United member and most recently co-chaired both Carle Health’s United Way campaign and United Way’s Community Impact Fund.
Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey
Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey is President and CEO of SQB Workforce Ecosystems and President Emerita of Illinois Central College, where she served as the institution’s first female president.
Throughout her career, Quirk-
Bailey has championed workforce development, student success, and regional economic vitality. Her leadership has helped strengthen connections among employers, educational institutions, labor organizations, and community partners while expanding opportunities for individuals and families across Illinois.
2026-2027 Executive Committee
Members also elected the following officers to serve during the 2026-2027 fiscal year:
- Chair: Tom Schlink, CBI Bank & Trust
- Past Chair: Sid Ruckriegel, SERVUS
- Vice Chair, Resource Development: Tobin Taylor, Heyl Royster
- Vice Chair, Community Investment: Anne Bowman, Carle Health
- Vice Chair, Marketing & Community Engagement: Jenna Wiesner, PNC
- Treasurer: Seth Davis, RLI
- Secretary: Pat Roesler, Vermeer Midwest
The organization also recognized members of the Nominating Committee, including Monica Hendrickson and Karl Weiss, for their work identifying and recruiting community leaders to serve on the board.
Building Long-Term Community Impact
Heart of Illinois United Way President Jennifer Zammuto shared updates on several strategic initiatives underway within the organization. Among those was the announcement of the newly established Community Resiliency Fund, designed to strengthen long-term support for the organization’s community investments and partner agency programs. The first fund established under this initiative is the Skip and Sally Snyder Community Resiliency Fund, recognizing the Snyders’ decades of commitment to the Heart of Illinois United Way and the nonprofit community.
Community Assessment Highlights
The meeting also featured highlights from the organization’s newly completed 2026 Community Assessment, presented by Dr. Larry Weinzimmer, Caterpillar Inc. Professor of Leadership.
While the assessment identified many encouraging trends, it also reinforced the importance of continued collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and local government. Topics examined included educational achievement and workforce readiness, household income and financial stability, health outcomes, community violence, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
The findings underscore a central theme: meaningful progress occurs when organizations work together to address complex challenges and invest in long-term solutions.
Community members can view the full Community Assessment and presentation materials on the Heart of Illinois United Way website at:
Heart of Illinois United Way Community Assessment – Heart of Illinois United Way
Looking Ahead
As the Heart of Illinois United Way approaches its second century of service, newly elected Board Chair Tom Schlink emphasized the enduring power of community collaboration.
Since 1921, the organization has united donors, volunteers, workplaces, nonprofit partners, and community leaders around a shared mission of improving lives and strengthening communities. While the challenges facing the region continue to evolve, the commitment of those who support the Heart of Illinois United Way remains constant.
Together, we are creating opportunities for children and families, promoting financial stability, improving health outcomes, and building a stronger future for central Illinois.
