Meet The Team

Erin Rabon, Executive Director

Erin joined the Circle of Change in 2014, serving as Vice President & President before becoming Executive Director in April 2021. She holds Bachelors in Speech & Communications from UW Whitewater, an Associates in Arts from Rock Valley and is Certified in Prepress. Erin volunteers as a H.E.R.O Mentor with Marshmallow's Hope and sits on the board for the Rockford Area Suicide Prevention Coalition & Shatter Our Silence. Her other memberships include: RING Networking Group, Rockford Network of Professional Women, Rockford Chamber of Commerce–Leadership Rockford Class of 2021-22 & Women's Business Council, Stateline Chamber of Commerce, Parks Chamber of Commerce, and Winnebago Buy Local. Erin is currently earning a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Courtney Ring, President

Courtney is 5th generation Rockford-born. She joined the Circle of Change board in March 2011, serving as Secretary for 5 years. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford University in elementary education. Courtney loves to spend time with family, including her golden retriever, Bentley, traveling to see family in Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin and Chicago.

Noelle Tulley, Treasurer

Noelle has 10 years of accounting experience. She does bookkeeping for clients in the IL/WI area and for the past 3 years has had her own business called Better Bookkeeping Services that serves the IL/WI area. She is also an Accounting Specialist at Arcadia Healthcare Solutions in Rockford, IL. She spends her free time with her two daughters Linsey, 18 and Ashlei, 24 and her Pug, George.

Annie Picken, Secretary

Annie was raised on a farm north of Rockford, IL and has always appreciated learning from the animals and nature around her. After earning her Associates from Rock Valley College, and a Bachelor's in Strategic Communications from the University of Minnesota, she enlisted in the IL Air National Guard as a Cyber Operations Technician. Meeting several veterans throughout her military career, and appreciating what farm animals and pets have taught her, Annie fell in love with the Circle of Change mission and joined the board as Secretary in 2020. When Annie isn’t traveling and deploying with her unit, she enjoys hiking, nature photography, producing videos for her sister’s fiber arts social media channels and serving with her church family.

Ryan Spradlin, Board Member

Ryan currently serves as the Retail Office Manager at Stillman Bank in the Rochelle office. He graduated from Rasmussen College with his associate’s degree in Business Administration and has been in the financial industry for nearly a decade. Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Ryan values the work of Circle of Change, being someone who had multiple family members involved in both Vietnam and Afghanistan.

Danielle DeNario, Board Member

Dani was born and raised in Rockford, IL, spending only a few years away and then returning "home." She is spirited and enthusiastic about the Rockford Region, and is excited to make a difference. Dani and her husband love to travel, experience new things - including trying all kinds of food, and spend time with beloved family.

Dani has held multiple roles in the financial services industry and has found her true passion in Commercial Banking. She is dedicated to creating financial plans that incorporate the whole business by increasing efficiencies, expanding portfolios, partnering with experts, and focusing on the goals of the business. She enjoys helping businesses grow and flourish, and looks forward to every opportunity.

Elly Van Mill, Board Member

Elly is the Founder and CEO of the Wayward Society, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals and families living with disabilities, mental health struggles and post traumas. Her 17-year health care career has been a combination of time in Fire/EMS, pediatric critical care and other specialty areas. She's currently attending Capella University for a B.S in psychology with a major in ABA therapy. In Elly's free time she likes to hang out with her kids, roller-skate and spend lazy Sundays with her mastiffs, Max, Zuppa and Paulo, as well as her kid crew, Jasper (8yrs old) & Binni (3 yrs old). Her husband is a retired Air Force veteran. Mental health support and advocacy for my family both at work and at home is what brings be to COC.

Keyanna Washington, Board Member

Peter Cimino, Board Member

Peter is a business development executive with M3 Insurance. Cimino educates the business community about M3 services including insurance and risk management, employee benefits, and retirement planning. He's a former Field Representative with the U.S. House of Representatives and formerly worked as Special Assistant for Governor Rauner. His family owns and operates Cimino Pizza in Durand. Peter brings his energetic spirit and passion for helping those coping with mental illness to the COC Board.

Emily Burke, Board Member

Emily is an Associate Financial Representative at Thacker Financial Northwestern Mutual. She started her career at the YWCA Northwestern Illinois, first as a case manager for the Child Care Assistance Program and eventually becoming Supervisor. She is recipient of Rockford Chamber's 2022 40 Under 40 Award. Emily has completed more than 40 hour of leadership and management training and is currently working on earning a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. She previously served as Trustee on the Talcott Free Library Board.