EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Leadership guided
by purpose
Board of directors
Avenues to Independence’s Board of Directors is composed of community leaders and advocates who bring diverse professional expertise and a shared dedication to our mission. Together, they provide strategic oversight, financial stewardship, and governance to ensure Avenues remains strong, accountable and focused on advancing dignity, independence and opportunity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jim Stonebridge
Chair
Open Finance Holdings
Steve Wilson
Vice Chair
Wilson Dow Group
Dirk Ahlbeck
Treasurer
Apple Growth Partners
Jacki Kimel
Secretary
L.I.C.A.(retired)
Stephen Kray
President and CEO
Avenues to Independence
Robert Okazaki
President/ CEO Emeritus
Avenues to Independence
Allan Bartel
Allegro Music (retired)
Matthew Coyne
Coyne & Company Insurance
Molly Dietlin
Community Advocate
Jeanne Doheny
Park Ridge Public Schools (retired)
Susan Feldman
Community Advocate
Tom Garcea
RG Construction
Laura Krohn
Adult Down Syndrome Center
James Meyer
Attorney
Linda Buggy
Community Advocate
Peg O'Herron
Sears (retired)
Holly E. Sasser
Rush Health
David Gaeger
Attorney
Eric Johnson
BMO Bank (retired)
Anne Skoronski
Community Advocate
Therese Villano
Villano Interiors
Cathy McCarthy
Community Support Services
Administrative team
Avenues to Independence’s leadership team is made up of professionals with deep experience in human services, nonprofit management, advocacy and community engagement. United by a shared commitment to fostering dignity and independence for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, they guide the organization’s strategy, steward its mission and ensure that our offerings evolve to meet the needs of the people we serve.
Stephen Kray
President and CEO
skray@avenuestoindependence.org
Liz Kloster
Chief Financial Officer
lkloster@avenuestoindependence.org
Joni Kraft
Vice President of Programs
kraft@avenuestoindependence.org
Bob McNamara
Vice President of Development
bmcnamara@avenuestoindependence.org
Stacie Cragg
Director of Development / Events
cragg@avenuestoindependence.org
Mary Francis
Residential Director
mfrancis@avenuestoindependence.org
Erin Kalaway
Director of Clinical Services
ekalaway@avenuestoindependence.org
Amy Landreth
Director of Admissions & Program Supports
landreth@avenuestoindependence.org
Ron Reeves
Director of Day Services
reeves@avenuestoindependence.org
Janice Valentine
Social Services Director
valentine@avenuestoindependence.org
More ways to lead
Interested in making a direct impact? The Avenues Partnership Board offers a meaningful way to support our work through engagement, fundraising, and leadership.