Who we are

Sharon Peoples serves as the President of the MCLP Board of Directors and is a proud alumna of the MCLP Class of 2020. She has nearly 30 years of project management and consulting experience, primarily in the Insurance industry. She currently serves as Senior Manager, Business Partner Management at Hub International.

Sharon and her family joined the Bloomington-Normal community in 2017. In addition to serving with MCLP, Sharon is a proud member of the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.

She has a passion for her faith, servant leadership, giving back to the community, and honoring history.  Sharon finds joy in seeing her son become an amazing young man and spending time laughing heartily with her family and friends.

Sim serves as the VP of the MCLP Board of Directors, and is a proud graduate of MCLP’s Class of 2021. As a lifelong resident of the Central Illinois community, Sim has a passion for helping bridge gaps across our not so far apart communities. He serves professionally as the Director of Strategy & Innovation for the Illinois Agricultural Association.

Sim also serves as the President of Illinois State University’s Economics Department Advisory Board, President of Illinois State University’s Delta Chi Alumni Board of Trustees, and on the Heartland Community College Foundation Board.

Sim’s passion for his community and ensuring all those within it can find their sense of belonging is clear to all those who engage with him, earning him recognition such as being named one of McLean County’s 20Under40 and Distinguished Alumni of Heartland Community College in 2024.

Pamela Reece has been with the Town of Normal since starting her local government career in 1991. For over 30 years, she has served in Town Administration, being designated as Normal’s third City Manager in 2018.

In her role as City Manager, Pam is responsible for the daily operation of the organization, which has 17 operating departments and nearly 500 full-time equivalent employees. She is also tasked with implementing the Town’s various strategic and financial plans, including the comprehensive plan, capital investment plan and annual strategic plan. 

A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Pam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Pam and her husband, Jay, have two grown children and are proud, long-time residents of the Town of Normal.

Ashley Love is a lifelong resident of Bloomington, IL with a strong commitment to developing future leaders.  She graduated from MCLP in 2020 and has since taken on multiple roles within the organization including project advisor, class facilitation and facilitation coach.

Ashley has built a successful career at COUNTRY Financial where she has worked since 2004. She is currently the Supervisor of Statistical Reporting.  She holds a B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln College. 

Outside of work and community service, Ashley enjoys a balanced life with her partner and children.  She uses her leisure time to wind down with quiet hobbies such as reading, jigsaw puzzles, and drawing.  

Cecilia is a committed servant leader with a demonstrated history of being other-centric. She is skilled in program development, team building, conflict management, trauma-informed supervision, family engagement, and leadership development and training.

Cecilia graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She received a Master’s degree from Liberty University in Pastoral Counseling and a subsequent Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family. Finally, Cecilia began the journey of pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology focusing on resilience from Capella University, but has taken a pause to obtain her licensure in professional counseling.

As an MCLP graduate, class of 2018, Cecilia embraced the model of servant leadership. Cecilia leads with the value of social responsibility. She accepted the role of MCLP Executive Director in 2020 and has worked to honor the legacy that began in 2009. 

Bert is a graduate of the first MCLP Class and served on the board previously from 2010-2013. 

Bert has 33 years of experience in a variety of professional and leadership roles.  He is currently a Manager in the enterprise Agency function at State Farm Insurance and lives in Johns Creek, Georgia with his wife Kelly and their two dogs. 

Brett Werner-Powell is committed husband, father, and community leader. Brett is a proud alum and former student-athlete of Illinois State University who is always looking for ways to support his Redbird community. Brett currently serves as a Senior Project Manager at COUNTRY Financial.

Outside of work, Brett remains an active community member here locally, and back in the Milwaukee-area. Locally, Brett is a well-known member of the Normal West High School varsity football staff. In Milwaukee, Brett serves as a director & mentor at Concordia University-Wisconsin's African American Youth Initiative - a four-year college readiness program that focuses on self, team, and community leadership.

Charlatta is a dedicated woman of faith, wife, and mother of four. She has been married to William Bennett for over 20 years and is a proud native of Bloomington, IL.

She has built a successful career at State Farm Insurance, where she is currently a Business Technology Manager. Alongside, her professional role, she is a passionate leader, serving as the Senior Pastor’s Wife and Women’s Ministry Overseer at her local church, City of Refuge Ministries.

Charlatta enjoys laughing at a good movie, traveling, and cherishing moments with her family and those dear to her heart. She is committed to nurturing her faith, family, and community with grace and purpose.

Chelsie Moore has been a resident of McLean County for two decades. She currently serves on the board of Illinois State University’s Educational Investment Fund and volunteers with Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Chelsie has previously chaired the Early Career Resource Group at COUNTRY Financial and has been a board member for the McLean County Center for Human Services and First Book of McLean County.

In her role as Director of Wealth Management Solutions at COUNTRY Financial, she leads a skilled team of Portfolio Managers, Private Wealth Consultants, Advanced Planners, and Internal Wholesalers. Chelsie has a proven track record of enhancing investment operations through technology transformations, capability enhancements, and continuous improvements toward industry best practices.

Passionate about community service, Chelsie enjoys giving back and spending quality time with her husband and two young children. She is eager to leverage her collaborative leadership style and drive for change in her board role.

Jacob Morgan is a lifelong resident of McLean county and currently serves as the Director of Technology at Advanced Trading Inc.

Jake has over fifteen years of experience in technology and leadership, with emphasis on the areas of security, risk management, change management, infrastructure, and client success. Throughout his professional journey, Jake has continually looked for innovative ways to engage the companies and communities he has served.

Jake resides in Bloomington, IL with his partner Carmen. Outside of his professional responsibilities and passion for his community, Jake is an avid photographer, musician, and golfer.

Mandava Venkateswara Rao is a people’s person and is popularly known as “Mandava” in Bloomington-Normal. He is passionate in serving the community that he lives in. He is energetic and enthusiastic in organizing culture, sports and recreation activities.

He served as a chair in Normal Human Relations commission, Minority and Police Partnership (MAPP), President of McLean County India Association (2003) and also leading different community programs. He was recognized as "Citizen of the Year" by Normal Mayor. Currently serving in Connect-Transit board.

Mandava has over 35 years of management experience in diversified industry globally. He brought with him a wealth of experience in service, marketing and industrial management areas. He possesses effective leadership, facilitation, coordination and communication skills. He believes in hard work and dedication.

Nayoka is a powerhouse of positivity determined to live a life of peace, purpose and passion. She is the Associate Director of the Workforce Equity Initiative at Heartland Community College. She earned a coaching certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication from Illinois State University.

A 2019 MCLP graduate and class speaker. Nayoka returned to the program to serve as class facilitator. She received the 2023 MCLP Servant Leadership Award, NAACP WIN Award and most recently the 20 Star for Life honor from the Great Plains Life Foundation Stay 4 Project. Nayoka serves on the McLean County YWCA Board of Directors. She's a member of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Soroptimist Incorporated, and Women United. 

Nayoka remains commitment to supporting transformative leadership, serving the community, and advancing equity. 

Pretty is originally from India from a beautiful state named Kerala. Her family moved to United States in 2001 and she is a proud Indian and a proud American.

Pretty has 20 years of IT experience and 3 years of teaching Electronics, Communication Engineering and Mathematics in different universities. She currently serves as a Technology Director at State Farm and is on the Board of multiple non-profit organizations.

She strives to appreciate all the blessings, loves nature, and is inquisitive about the universe.  Pretty also loves traveling to various parts of the world and immersing herself in the culture and beauty that each offers. She explores the world with curiosity and an open mind. Pretty enjoys giving back to community, being part of developing others to reach their goals. She never stops trying to better herself.

Renee was born and raised in New York City. She grew up engaging in various ministries and community efforts focused on helping people develop and identify their ability and passions.

Her professional journey started 38 years ago with State Farm Insurance Companies. She has 21 years of leadership experience advancing from first line to third line leadership. In 2018, she moved into a regional leadership role. Renee’s professional designations include a certificate in General Insurance, Associates in Insurance Services, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, Associates in Insurance Management, and an MBA in General Business.

She is a fellow of the National Association of African American Women’s Leadership Institute (NAAWLI). Her blended family includes two daughters, three sons and five grandchildren.

Terrance Bond serves as the Assistant to the President at Heartland Community College, leading the strategic vision and initiatives advancing the campus towards Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) as institutional priorities.  He works with partners throughout the community, ensuring trainings, programming, and data analysis are being offered through an EDI lens.

Terrance received his Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Studies in Religion from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and his Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University. He has served in leadership and advising roles across Bloomington-Normal and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Education Administration at Illinois State University.