Special Issues

Adam McConnell 39 Occupation: Human Resources; associate HR business partner and employee relations lead at Horace Mann Email: adam.mcconnell@horacemann.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota Family: Single Affiliations/community activities: Legislative director, Central Illinois Society for Human Resource Management board of directors (2025-present); Legislative committee member, Central Illinois Chapter SHRM […]

Jessica Sisk 39 Occupation: Director of residential operations, Hope Email: jsisk@hope.us Education: Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University Family: My fur babies, Luna and Ryno What led you to your current career? I began working at Hope 15 years ago and quickly realized I was working with a team of amazing people to support a […]

Allison Long 29 Occupation: Dentist at Prairie Dental Group Email: drlong@prairiedentalgroup.com  Education: Rhodes College, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Family: Parents, Rae and Scott Long; husband, Nicholas Koch Affiliations/community activities: Vice president of G.V. Black District Dental Society; board member and volunteer for Wooden It Be Lovely; executive committee member and community service chair of […]

John Curry 37 Occupation: Chiropractor and owner, Curry Chiropractic in Springfield and Petersburg; owner, Cowork Springfield; adjunct biology instructor at LLCC and UIS Email: drjohn@currychiro.com Education: Bachelor of science in biological sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Master of Science in sports science and exercise rehabilitation, Logan University; doctorate of chiropractic, Logan University Family: Parents, Dan and Pat […]

Amanda M. Brown,  24 Occupation: Member engagement coordinator, Illinois Senate Email: amandamarie275@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communication and education from UIS; Master’s in public administration with a certificate in community planning, UIS (in progress) Family: Parents and two younger brothers Affiliations/community activities: Board member and event committee for Kiwanis Club of Springfield Downtown, creator […]

John Pankau 39 Occupation: Senior vice president and commercial credit manager, United Community Bank Email: jpankau@ucbbank.com Education: Bachelor of Science in finance with minors in accounting and economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, MBA from Benedictine University Family: Wife, Maurielle; son, J.R.; parents, John and Holly Pankau What led you to your current career? I started my […]

Becky Gabany 38 Occupation: Owner, ChangeBridge Consulting Email: Becky@ChangeBridgeConsulting.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communications; master of arts in human services Family: Husband, Adam; two sons, Julian and Arlo; 30-plus pets Affiliations/community activities: National Association for Community and Restorative Justice, co-chair, DEI committee; Washington Street Mission, life skills training facilitator, volunteer; St. Patrick’s Catholic School, community advisory […]

Katie Beveridge 38 Occupation: System director of talent acquisition at Memorial Health Email: Beveridge.katie@mhsil.com Education: Bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in human resources management and a minor in Spanish from Saint Louis University; master of human resources and industrial relations from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Husband, Colin; children, Graham and Abigail Affiliations/community activities: […]

Benjamin McGill 39 Occupation: Sergeant with the Springfield Police Department Email: bmcgill2@gmail.com Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Single with a golden retriever named Igloo Affiliations/community activities: Phi Beta Sigma Inc.; PBPA #5 Springfield; PBPA of Illinois; NOBLE; NAACP What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is rooted in integrity and resilience. I […]

Kelsey Varner 26 Occupation: Assistant treasury management officer Email: kelseyvarner@carrolltonbanking.com Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; 2025 graduate of Illinois Bankers Association’s Future Leaders Alliance Family: Husband, John; dogs, Tuff and Bandit Affiliations/community activities: Ambassador/team captain for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; 2022 Leadership Springfield graduate; Friends of Sangamon County […]

Brandi Goodin 39 Occupation: Vice president of marketing communications, BUNN Email: brandi.goodin@bunn.com Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Spouse, Eric; children: Max, Pierce and Brooke Affiliations/community activities: Board member and executive committee member of United Way of Central Illinois What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is simple: Work hard. […]

Manasi Hulyalkar 39 Occupation: Pediatrician and pediatric obesity specialist  Email: mhulyalkar85@gmail.com Education: MD, MBA, Diplomat ABOM Family: Husband and two boys Affiliations/community activities: Asian Indian Women’s Organization What is your guiding principle in life? I treat my patients with the same care I want for my family. What led you to your current career? I wanted a […]