Board Member

Christell D. Ayers,

Christell D. Ayers, a Southside Chicago native, is a retired U.S. Army Captain and veteran, as well as a proud single parent and grandmother. She founded A-List Limo and Bus in 2009, growing it from two cars to the largest minority, female-owned transportation company in Illinois. After 21 years with the Lake County Forest Preserves, she pursued her dream full-time and now uses her experience to mentor young people and support future entrepreneurs. As a board member of Home Away from Home, she is dedicated to shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

Board Member

LaMichelle Hecht

LaMichelle Hecht, CPA, is the owner and CEO of Overhead Solutions Group, LLC. She brings with her more than nine years of accounting experience, including accounting, audits, business valuation, business and personal tax issues, and consulting.  LaMichelle was born in Chicago, IL. When she is not working, she enjoys going on walks, spending time with her family, listening to podcasts and traveling. LaMichelle's technical and business background includes accounting, auditing, tax consulting, general business consulting, and internal controls. In addition, he has in-depth expertise in the management of engagements, consultation with business owners and individuals regarding company operations and strategic planning, overall tax planning including individuals and their closely-held corporations, family tax planning, entity formation, analysis and control of costs and gross profits and budgeting. She has a passion for helping her clients develop and achieve their financial goals. She has a focus on providing high-quality services equally and treats all her clients with the same respect and professionalism, regardless of income or size of the business.

Board Member

Michelle Clifton

Michelle Clifton earned her PhD in theology and Christian social ethics at Loyola University Chicago. Michelle’s passion is interrupting the US’s overreliance on incarceration and finding creative alternatives, such as equitable and accessible education or restorative justice solutions through collaboration with those most impacted. In 2018, she founded the “School of Restorative Arts,” an MA program in Illinois’ prisons serving over 100 incarcerated men and women at Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers. She currently serves as founding director of prison education at Lewis University and has worked with Lewis to launch a BA program in two Illinois prison facilities. She has published numerous books and articles on mass incarceration and other topics in the field of social ethics.

Board Member

Gina Roberts

Gina Roberts has called Lake County home for her entire life. A mother of two and a wife to Douglas, she is a lifelong community advocate in Lake County. For years, Gina served on local Parent Teacher Associations and parent networks. In 2017, she was elected to serve on the Zion-Benton Township School Board and held the position of board secretary.

In 2020, Gina ran to represent her community on the Lake County Board. Elected to represent northeastern Lake County, she serves as the Vice Chair of both the Law & Judicial and Legislative committees of the Lake County Board. Additionally, she serves on the Special Committee on Broadband and the Planning, Building, Zoning, and Environment Committee.

As a Lake County Board Member, Gina also serves as a commissioner for the Lake County Forest Preserves. At the Lake County Forest Preserves, she is the Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the Legislative Committee, and serves as a member of the Rules, Diversity and Cultural Awareness, and Ethics committees.

Gina serves as the Lake County Board’s representative on the boards of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center and the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council. She also serves on the Lake County Housing and Community Development Commission.

Outside of her elected capacity, Gina is the President of the Kiwanis Club of Zion-Benton, an organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs. She serves as the Vice President of Lake County Democratic Women, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic women to local office. Additionally, she serves on the boards of Home Away From Home Youth Development and Reentry Organization, which supports formerly incarcerated youth, and Coalition Legal, an organization that helps people seal or expunge eligible criminal records. Gina is an Honorary Board Member of A Safe Place, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Gina is fundamentally passionate about helping people in need. Outside of her work, she is a passionate photographer and a wanderlust traveler. Gina lives in Beach Park with her husband Douglas and her dogs, Charlie, Henry, and Louie.

Board Member

Jackie Cunningham-Bailey

Jackie Cunningham-Bailey was raised in Waukegan, Il, Parents Vice Chair Lake County Board, Mary Ross Cunningham and the late Samuel D Cunningham Jr, married to Wayne Bailey, mother of seven including nine grandchildren, her siblings 40th Mayor Samuel D. Cunningham Jr, Rev Dr. Emerson Ross, Late Private  Alvin Cunningham, Belvia Finch, Dimple Finch-McLain and Levi Finch. Jackie’s graduate studies include an associate degree from Kee Business College (Medical Assistant Program) Norfolk, VA, Certification of General Human Services (College of Lake County 2020) Grayslake, IL, resides in Round Lake Beach, IL. Jackie’s love for women and children has lead her into the rooms of many prestigious leaders, which allowed Jackie with becoming the Founder of Miles and Smiles Girls Club, a girl’s group for young girls who struggle with reading and writing, Board of Director and Chairwoman with the Avon Cares Food Pantry, serves as a Board of Director with N.I.R.C.O (Recovery Community Organization) Chair and Vice President Alumni NICASA (Women Of W.O.R.T.H) Substance Abuse Community Organization for women, children and families, Committee Chair (Lake County Nineteenth Judicial Adult Probation Employment and Housing committee), 2013 Lake County People’s Voice Community Service Awardee, Board of Director Clock Wise Theatre, Chair Lake County Regional Planning Commission of Lake County Board, Mentor and advocator with Lake County Haven (Homeless Shelter for Women), Waukegan Township Coalition to Reduce Recidivism 2021 Woman Repatriate of the year, 2022 Current member NAACP Lake County Branch, 2023 Lake County NAACP WIN award, active member of Jesus Name Apostolic Church under the leadership of Pastor Tiffany Peppers and Bishop John I Caples, Jackie currently is actively involved with Lake County State’s Attorney Office and Lake County Sheriff Office with Gun Violence Initiative curriculum CJCC committee, Jackie Also serves as President for Safe Illinois Lake County, Board of Directors with Friends of Lake County Forest Preserve. Jackie has continued to serve as a community advocator for women with children due to her own untrusted past, Jackie has thrived to become a voice for women all over Lake County with issues that can help them become a more productive person and parent along with their children. During my mother’s campaign her slogan made a lot of sense to me and allowed me to really understand what my purpose was in life, 

“Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem” Stephen R Covey

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“Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem” -Stephen R Covey.

Board Member

Ken Schmetterer

Ken Schmetterer, a litigation attorney at DLA Piper, has extensive pro bono, non-profit board, and volunteer experience that has often centered on youth opportunities and justice. Ken currently serves as a director and pro bono counsel of the Gault Center, which ensures excellence in juvenile defense and promote justice for children. He served for many years as a director and pro bono counsel of New Root Learning Institute, dedicated to strengthening student college and career readiness, social-emotional learning, and restorative justice platforms in schools. Some of Ken’s other pro bono work has involved  efforts to improve the process of returning children to school upon their release from the juvenile detention center in Chicago, U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs  on behalf of the American Bar Association concerning children sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Miranda rights of students, the impact of fees and bail on children, and the automatic transfer of children from juvenile to adult court.  Ken co-led a successful challenge to the denial of an occupancy permit to allow for services to the chronically homeless. More recently Ken has represented incarcerated individuals in defense of their civil rights, efforts to secure appropriate mental health support, and in support of clemency bids and reentry support.

Board Member

Susan Daniel

Susan Daniel is a dynamic workforce development specialist and community advocate whose career spans banking leadership, small business lending, and deep engagement in community service. A former banking executive, she now dedicates her talents to mentoring at-risk young adults by helping them unlock opportunities through scholarships and grants, education, and career readiness. Susan serves as Workforce Development Coordinator and board member with My Father’s Business and volunteers with several organizations, including Bernie’s Book Bank, Meals on Wheels, Legacy Reentry Foundation, Mothers Trust Foundation, Community Purse Lake County and the North Chicago Community Partners. She is a former board member of both The Sports Shed and Gifts from the Heart (Milwaukee, WI) and has served as an active Rotarian for 11 years in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Known for building trusted relationships with young adults as well as community and nonprofit leaders and connecting people to resources, she brings a hands-on, heart-driven approach to breaking cycles of violence. Susan is deeply committed to creating pathways out of poverty and being a steady force for good in every community she serves. As a board member of Home Away from Home, she is proud to champion mentorship, equity, and lifelong empowerment.

Board Member

Lily Gleicher

Lily Gleicher, Ph.D., is currently a Senior Supervisory Research Scientist for a national non-profit that works to create a fairer, more just, and more humane pretrial system. Lily previously worked as a Research Analyst for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and as a Research Scholar for the Robina Institute, conducting research and evaluation, writing and developing grants, providing technical assistance and training, and working with a variety of stakeholders. Lily is passionate about criminal and juvenile justice reform, youth development and reentry, building community capacity, and dismantling systems that perpetuate harm. She received her BS from the University of Connecticut in 2011, and her MS and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice in 2012 and 2018, respectively, from the University of Cincinnati.

Board Member

Karen Levi

Karen Levi serves as the Chief of Juvenile at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. Prior to her working for the State, she worked at the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.  Karen was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Courts.  Karen formed the LCBA Juvenile Law Committee.

She serves on the board for the LCBA, AWALC and CTAD.  Karen is also the co-chair of the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council.

Karen is active in her community of Highwood where she lives with her husband and family.

Board Member

Angelina F. Alfaro

Angelina Alfaro is a seasoned social work professional and community strategist with over 15 years of leadership experience across the health, education, and nonprofit sectors. A proud Waukegan, Illinois native, raised by a family of farmers, she brings a unique blend of grassroots values and systems-level expertise to her work. A graduate of Arizona State University’s College of Public Programs, Angelina holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work and has dedicated her career to developing innovative, equity-driven programs that promote healing, empowerment, and access for marginalized and underserved communities. Her background includes leading regional youth violence prevention initiatives, directing workforce development programs, and creating cross-sector Community Health Worker training pathways grounded in lived experience and public health principles. She has held director-level positions with Empowerment Systems Inc.- Arizona, Curt’s Café, A Safe Place, and currently serves as Director of Community Programs & Services at LifeBridge Community Alliance in Arizona. Her work spans both urban and rural communities, including a successful statewide workforce collaboration aligning training, certification, and employment pathways with community-based organizations and state partners. Angelina’s approach centers on the social determinants of health, trauma-informed care, and integrated systems of support substantiated in measurable outcomes and community voice. Whether establishing drop-in resource centers, facilitating care coordination through the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, and expanding public health infrastructure, she combines strategic insight with deep compassion and cultural humility. Widely respected among healthcare systems, educators, and policy advocates, Angelina continues to champion an inclusive, community-rooted ecosystem of care that uplifts lived experience, advances health equity, and supports long-term wellness.