Carol began serving as Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Prevention of Abuse in March 2015. Before joining CFPA, Carol served the 18th Congressional District for more than 25 years working in and overseeing the constituent and community service operation for three members of Congress. During her tenure in the congressional office, she enjoyed doing advocacy work, building strong and lasting professional relationships, and providing leadership. She enjoys doing the same with those whom CFPA serves, those who provide support, and people and organizations who share CFPA’s meaningful vision and mission for peace. Under Carol’s direction, since 2015, she has successfully lead the organization through the State of Illinois’ longest budget impasse while increasing its fundraising revenue. She has strengthened CFPA’s relationships with elected officials and policy makers and created a new department dedicated to serving victims of human trafficking. Carol has been awarded the 25 Women in Leadership, iBi Magazine’s Woman of Influence, Federal Executive of the Year, Illinois Rural Partner of the Year, 40 Leaders Under Forty, the 2019 ATHENA International “Woman of the Year” by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, was a finalist in NexStar Broadcasting’s nationwide “Remarkable Women” campaign in 2020, and was awarded 40 Leaders Under 40 “Alumnus of the Year” by Peoria Magazines.
MARY BETH JACKSON,
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Beth has been at the Center for Prevention of Abuse since 1993. She was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 1999. She worked side by side with the architectural firm and contractors during the building phase of the administration building and the Next Step Transitional Housing apartments. Mary Beth is currently the Director of Business Operations and is responsible for the fiscal functions of the agency – Accounts Payable, Payroll, and management of 45 individual government/community grants.
Olga joined the Center for Prevention of Abuse in 2007 as a senior level administrator with 20 years of experience in not-for-profit management. She is responsible for the coordination of administrative operations including grant compliance, program development and service related functions. Olga has worked in the Domestic Violence field for more than 30 years and is an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional. She has served on various state-wide committees and task forces, and currently serves on the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence Program Council and Membership Committee.
JULIE BOLAND,
Director of Sexual Assault and Advocacy Services
LAURA KOWALSKE,
Director of Prevention Education
Laura has dedicated herself to the Center for Prevention of Abuse’s Prevention Education department since 2012, when she joined CFPA staff as a Prevention Educator. She was promoted to Prevention Education Coordinator in 2014 and most recently, joined the Leadership Team in 2018 as Director of Prevention Education. Laura is responsible for providing supervision and oversight to the team of Preventionists and the Prevention Education curriculum that reaches more than 35,000 students annually. She designs and implements programming focused on child sexual abuse prevention, social and emotional learning, healthy relationships, teen dating violence, bias-based bullying, abuse prevention of individuals living with disabilities, and more, within Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. She is passionate about the power of prevention, reaching students at a young age, and building safe and peaceful learning communities.
HOLLY KOZINSKI,
Director of Adult Protective Services
Holly is the director of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Adult Protective Services Program, which provides services to seniors and adults with disabilities who are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. Holly has been with the Center for Prevention of Abuse since 1997 and has worked as an Elder Abuse Caseworker, Outreach Coordinator, and Supervisor within the Adult Protective Services department. Holly is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Women Studies. Holly has a background of working in both domestic violence and sexual assault prior to coming to CFPA. Holly participates in several community committees including Caring Connections, The Adult and Disabilities Resource Network, and the Peoria County TRIAD. In 2014, she received the Peoria County TRIAD social service award and has been recognized as one of the area’s 25 Women in Leadership.
FRAN REYES,
Director of Domestic Violence Family Centered Services
Fran began her career in social services as a contract worker for The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services before she joined the Center for Prevention of Abuse in 2010 as a Domestic Violence counselor. Her leadership qualities and dedication to serving CFPA clients helped propel her to supervisor of both CFPA emergency shelters, before beginning her role as Director of Domestic Violence Family Centered Services. Fran is an Illinois Certified Licensed Domestic Violence Professional and serves CFPA Spanish-speaking clients by translating for multiple departments. She oversees case management and domestic violence counseling for children and adults utilizing CFPA services. Fran was named a CI Hero by WMBD/WYZZ in 2020 and recognized as an Outstanding Team Member by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce for her response to COVID-19 and her commitment to building a safe and peaceful community.
SARA DILLEFELD SEFRIED,
Director of Human Trafficking Services
Sara spearheaded the creation of the Center for Prevention of Abuse’s Human Trafficking Services in 2017 and oversees all anti-trafficking efforts for foreign born and domestic survivors in labor and sex trafficking. She is the Director of Human Trafficking Services and facilitates trainings for law enforcement, medical providers, community organizations, first responders, and participates in legislative discussion surrounding anti-trafficking efforts. Sara joined CFPA in 2006 and most recently served as the Director of Domestic Violence Family Centered Services for six years. She supervised two domestic violence shelters, an 11 unit transitional housing program, and domestic violence counseling services for adults and children. She has been awarded with 40 Leaders Under 40 and is an active speaker on human trafficking. She is dedicated to educating our community by raising awareness and providing specialized services for survivors.
CAMILLE YAMEEN,
Director of Marketing and Communications
Camille joined the Center for Prevention of Abuse in 2017 after traveling around the world and back again. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in public relations and creative writing from Bradley University and began her communications career in Las Vegas working for a prestigious PR agency. She handled media relations, special events, red carpets, fundraisers, and social media for a variety of clients. After two years, she traded her office space for open countryside and joined the Peace Corps where she served in rural Madagascar as a Community Health Advisor. For two years, she assisted a doctor and midwife in a small village with grassroots health campaigns about malaria prevention, safe motherhood, vaccines, water and sanitation, sustainability efforts, and capacity building. She now serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications where she blends her worldly experiences with her passion for strong messages. She was the winner of the 2019 “Emerging Leader” Award by the Women’s Fund and Community Foundation of Central Illinois, was inducted into the 2019 class of “40 Leaders Under 40” by Peoria Magazines, and was named of WEEK’s 25 Women in Leadership in 2020.All victim services are free and confidential.