Staff

Leigh Ann

Executive Director

I have an educational background in social services and 27 years of experience in the field of Independent Living. Having multiple disabilities myself, I know first-hand the importance of consumer control and living independently in the community. I began my career in 1993 when I took on the position of Independent Living Coordinator at Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living (DRC) in Joliet, IL. After working for 7 years as an IL Coordinator, I took the position of Program Manager, which I held until July of 2004. At this time, I moved into the position of Executive Director of AIM-CIL (f.k.a. DuPage Center for Independent Living). Throughout the last 14 years, we’ve seen many changes, including shifts in funding, moving locations, a name change, expansion of service area to include DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties, as well as expansion of services. Although most of my time is spent on administrative tasks such as grants, reporting etc., my passion lies on the programmatic side of things and direct service. I will answer phones, spend time with consumers and provide direct service when and as needed. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, my husband and I enjoy camping, outdoor activities with our kids, spending time with our pets, and traveling.

Emily

Program Director

Emily Ronan serves as the Program Director at Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL). She oversees programs supporting individuals with disabilities of all ages with Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Peer Counseling, Transition, and Information & Referral. Prior to this role, she spent five years as a Youth Services Advocate and Team Lead at AIM-CIL, facilitating Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and acts as Co-Chair of the Kane County Transition Planning Committee.

Stephanie

Independent Living Advocate

As an Independent Living Advocate, I assist individuals with disabilities in meeting their own, self-determined independent living goals such as communication, educational, vocational, advocacy and personal resource management to name a few. This is done through our core services which include independent living skills training to assist with independence, advocacy, and information and referral. I am also a certified Senior Healthcare Insurance Program (SHIP) Provider. I work to assist and educate consumers regarding Medicare coverage. I also answer questions about Medicaid and Social Security.

Michael

Administrative Assistant

Michael graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University where he majored in History and English. As Administrative Assistant, Michael helps with day-to-day tasks that keep the office running smoothly. Michael also creates quarterly newsletters, contributes to the Center’s social media pages, and facilitates the Assistive Technology and Educational Scholarship Programs. Alongside this, Michael is also AIM-CIL’s Transportation Advocate, serving as the chairperson for the PACE ADA Suburban Advisory Committee and sitting on several other community committees.

Kate

Communication Access Advocate

As the Communication Access Advocate and Deaf Services Coordinator, Kate provides direct services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities.  Direct services include advocacy, information and referral, and independent living skills training. Through lived experiences, she firmly believes in providing accessible resources and services to empower the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities in making informed decisions in their lives.  She also provides pre-employment services and independent living skills training for deaf youth in schools and transition programs.  

Crystal

Youth Services Advocate/Early Start PCT Program Team Lead

Crystal Griffin is the Youth Services & Early Start PECT Program Team Lead at the center, where she has served as a youth advocate for more than three years. With over 20 years of experience in education as both a paraprofessional and special education classroom teacher, she has consistently supported students with disabilities and their families in school and community settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mild to Moderate Disorders in Special Education. 

In her current role, Crystal leads youth-focused services for individuals ages 0–25 and works with schools through the center’s PRE-ETS transition program to IEP support as well as maintaining connections with community partners across DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties. She also facilitates the center’s Parent Support Network, offering workshops and resources that educate, empower, and connect families. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Lauren

Youth Services Advocate

Lauren is one of the Youth Service Advocates at AIM-CIL. She graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science and a minor in Disability and Human Development. She has a background in working with youth with Autism and those with mental health/psychiatric disabilities. Lauren provides advocacy support, information and referral, assistance with benefits applications, independent living skills training, and pre-employment transition skills curriculum to youth and their families in AIM-CIL’s service area. She is also AIM-CIL’s Teen and Young Adult Social Group facilitator to bring youth with disabilities together.

Toya

Independent Living Advocate

Toya Nelson is a dedicated human services professional with over 18 years of experience supporting children and adults with disabilities.

Currently serving as an Independent Living Advocate at AIMCIL, Toya has a proven track record of empowering individuals to achieve greater independence and quality of life.

She holds a degree in Human Services from Columbia College Missouri and has built a diverse career in the special needs community, having worked as a Home Health Aide, Paraprofessional, Direct Support Professional, and Dorm Shift Supervisor. Toya’s extensive hands-on experience, combined with her passion for advocacy and commitment to the individuals she serves, makes her a trusted and compassionate leader in the field.

Danielle

Personal Assistant Advocate

Danielle Danca is the Personal Assistant Advocate at AIM-CIL. She assists individuals with the process of finding personal assistants and getting connected with DRS/DHS services. She herself lives with a disability and understands the importance of getting what is needed to successfully live independently. She also has experience working with those with disabilities of varying degrees and has always had a passion for making sure those with disabilities are understood and have the same opportunities as those without.

Rebecca

Youth Services Advocate

Rebecca Hamilton graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2016. Her professional background is centered around education for more than ten years. She has been an educator exclusively with students in underserved communities. She worked with students as young as those in a therapeutic day preschool all the way to tutoring individuals as old as twenty two on foundational skills for employment. One thing that never changed was her dedication to encourage and amplify voices that aren’t always heard. She is guided by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. This led her to the position of a Youth Services Advocate with AIM-CIL where she will use her experience to empower youth to move forward in their chosen journeys.