Jane Doyle, Ph.D., Executive Director and Co-Founder
Jane has over 20 years supervisory, teaching, consulting, and fieldwork experience focused on transitioning young adults with disabilities into community lives.  Jane has served on the faculties of National Louis University PACE Program and University of Illinois at Chicago, supervising graduate students’ teaching practicum in Chicago Public Schools.  Jane and her husband, Dave, have an adult daughter with developmental disabilities.

Mary Bowmann, B.A., Development Director
Mary received a degree in Sociology from Northwestern University where she was involved in Special Olympics as a volunteer coach and student board member.  After graduating, Mary came to CIF as a Northwestern University Public Interest Program Fellow.  At the end of her year-long fellowship, Mary moved into her current position and is thrilled to continue with CIF.

Sean Doe-Simkins, Community Information Coordinator 
Sean comes to CIF with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and years of experience cultivating life skills with teens with Autism in a summer camp setting.  Sean also brings extensive technology expertise, which he has used since May of 2009 to manage CIF's information and operations systems.  Sean lives in Chicago.

Karen Hartman, MBA, Financial Coordinator
Karen received her BA in Economics from Northwestern University and her MBA in finance from the University of Chicago.  After working for Continental Bank in Chicago for over 10 years, Karen became an active community volunteer while staying at home with her young children.  She is thrilled to be a part of the CIF organization and works 3 days a week in her capacity as financial coordinator.
 

Jacqueline Heavey, LCSW, Community Life Liaison
Since 2005, Jacque has shared her social work expertise with CIF individuals and families.  Jacque received a B.A. in Sociology from John Carroll University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati.  After earning her degree, Jacque worked with children expelled from Cincinnati public schools and teenage wards of the state in Oakland, California.  Jacque lives in Chicago.

Julie Larson, Life Skills Tutor
Julie received a degree in Art and Psychology from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She began working in group homes doing one-on-one art therapy sessions with individuals with severe and profound developmental disabilities.  Enjoyment of those sessions led her to pursue work with individuals with disabilities and mental illness in residential and employment settings.  Julie is happy to be a resident of Evanston building community with CIF participants and staff.

Rob Larson, Life Skills Tutor
Rob graduated from Bethel University, MN in 2003 with a B.A. in Fine Arts and has been working with families and people with disabilities since 2005.  Rob has been working as a CIF Skills Tutor and FLFP Coach since 2008.  Rob and his wife, Julie, both serve the CIF community and are currently living in South Evanston.

Megan Madigan, Life Skills Tutor & Community Builder
Megan received her B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University in Chicago in 2008. Megan has a background in childcare that provided her with an opportunity to work with children with disabilities and sparked her interest in working with individuals with disabilities and their families. Megan began working as a life skills tutor in 2008, and she and her fiancé, Michael, have been CIF CLO Community Builders since 2009. Megan is also a Full Life Future Planning coach.
 

Kim Mercer, M.Ed , Community Life Coordinator
Kim received a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign.  After graduation, she worked as a high school special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools, teaching in both the severe and profound disabilities and autism programs.  She received a M.Ed in Special Education from University of Illinois in Chicago and is currently pursuing a Masters in Non Profit Business Management at North Park University.  Kim has been in her current capacity since 2005.

Jeff Morthorst, Life Skills Tutor & Activities Coordinator
Jeff Morthorst is a trained Certified Nurse Assistant, and he began working as a Personal Assistant and skills tutor for adults with disabilities in 2007.  Currently, Jeff is a full time Life Skills Tutor and serves as the Activities Coordinator for CIF.

Sharon Purdy, FLFP Coach & Admin Assistant Coordinator
Sharon began her teaching career many years ago and holds a BS in Special Education with an endorsement in grades K- post high school. She is thrilled to teach CIF’s Full Life Future Planning and Life Skills programs to students at ETHS. She also supports the Administrative Assistant program in the CIF office.  Sharon and her family have lived in Evanston for many years and love the learning opportunities this diverse city has to offer.

Margaret Tanenberg, MSW, LSW, ACSW, Community Outreach Coordinator   Margaret began her career as a psychiatric social worker in an outpatient community mental health center after earning a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois . When her son was diagnosed with a disability, her focus shifted to advocating for and working with children and adults with disabilities in many settings, as well as informing legislators about disability issues. Margaret has been affiliated with CIF from its inception and is passionate about her role in the CIF community.
 

Cynthia Witherspoon, M.Ed., Community Life Outreach
With degrees from Saint Francis College and Butler University, Cynthia worked as a special education teacher for more than 23 years prior to joining the CIF staff.  In addition, Cynthia completed her coursework for the Leadership in Educational Administration Endorsement from Iowa State University.  To CIF, Cynthia brings a passion for creating innovative educational opportunities and effective management systems.  Cynthia currently lives with her husband and their family in Evanston.