Kendra Poole

Family Nurse Practitioner, Kendra Poole INC (Collective Family Health)

A busy but full life

Kendra Poole has to be highly organized professionally and in her personal life to make her schedule work. This 32-year-old lives with her husband, Jack, and three sons in Peru, and she also has three nieces who are living with her.

It’s a challenge to stay organized with such a full house, but Poole stays on task through lots of calendars and post-it notes.

“I live, breathe, and function by my calendars. I do forget things on occasions, but I try to have grace on myself, knowing I will never be perfect,” she said.

Poole grew up in DePue before moving to Spring Valley at age 14. After graduating Hall High School and attending Illinois Valley Community College for two years, she went to Methodist College of Nursing, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014. She earned a master’s degree at Bradley University before becoming a family nurse practitioner and opening her own medical practice.

“A dear friend and colleague, Angela Reidner CNM, actually had wanted to open her own practice and had asked if I would be interested in joining her in providing care to our community. As a team, we could build Collective Family Health together rather than each on our own,” she said. “I feel that God had opened that door for me and has instilled a strong desire to serve the people of our community.”

“I always hoped to open my own practice and provide evidenced-based, patientcentered care, a place where my patients felt heard and supported. This desire is now a reality,” Poole said. “I hope to continue to grow my medical practice patient volume. I also want to offer some additional services, such as nutritional IV therapies and minor cosmetic procedures. I will always continue learning and expanding my knowledge base and hopefully implement more offerings that will benefit our community.”

Emily Carney School Counselor, LaSalle-Peru Township High School Making a difference in others’ lives

For some students, school is an amazing experience, but for others, it’s a struggle at times. As a school counselor at LaSalle-Peru Township High School and as Division Chair for Student Support Services, 38-year-old Emily Carney of Utica is well aware that not everyone has the same experience in school.

“With a focus on academic, college/career, and social-emotional development, I get to help through some of the happiest and hardest experiences. It can be a heavy load to carry, but it is also more rewarding than I ever dreamed,” she said. “I am honored to have such an incredible opportunity to work with and support our students, parents, school, and community.”

Carney was born and raised in Peru, so making a difference in her hometown community is extra special to her.

“I am not someone that simply goes to work every day to fulfill a requirement. I go in with a list of responsibilities, but also respond to the constant unexpected needs of our students and staff. I am willing to go the extra mile to help someone through counseling,” she said. “I fully believe outstanding services are something every student deserves.”

Knowing she has helped students, parents, her school, and the community is rewarding enough for Carney, but she is thrilled when she is formally recognized for the work she does.

“Although I am humbled and overjoyed when former students give me updates on how they are doing or send simple notes of thanks, my greatest professional accomplishment is being recognized by the University of Chicago as an Outstanding Educator. The award is not only granted by one of the most prestigious institutions in Illinois but is, in fact, student-driven,” she said.

“My driving force in this profession is the belief that every child deserves a successful, happy life. So, when a student felt that impacted to take the time to nominate me – I cannot think of anything more rewarding,” she added.

Mark Wilson

Site Manager, Epsilyte A team leader and a team player

Mark Wilson hasn’t been in the Illinois Valley long, but ever since he moved to Ottawa with his wife, Sara, and his two sons, Maxwell and Oliver, the Wilson family has enjoyed the area.

“I’m impressed by what I already see. Most weekends, there is a family event somewhere along the river to get out and enjoy the area,” Wilson said. “There is a diverse selection of restaurants. There is history and culture. The area is safe by all measures.”

“With that said, I’d look for areas to strengthen the municipalities and look to foster economic growth and tourism and continue to make something good get even better,” he said.

Wilson, 34, who was born and raised in Byron, earned a chemical engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 2010. He worked for Dow Chemical for the next 12 years at different sites in Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas.

One of his proudest moments was hearing he made a difference to the Dow Chemical team. Now, he takes great pride in doing the same as the site manager for Epsilyte in Peru, which produces expandable polystyrene and sells to companies to mold the beads into parts used for home installation, construction, and packaging applications.

“While my love of science and problem-solving got my career off to a fast start, the rewarding nature of working with and growing people has become my passion,” Wilson said. “I started with a variety of chemical process engineering roles and was given opportunities to lead chemical operators, mechanics, engineers, and more.”

“I strive to lead with integrity and equality and believe that organizational success can only be achieved by supporting your people,” he said. “In a world full of polarizing headlines, I try to communicate frequently and transparently with my coworkers, sharing my honest opinions.”

Laura Olson Business Service Representative, Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. An advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion

Laura Olson’s role as a business service representative at Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST), which serves LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam counties, keeps her constantly challenged.

“The position that I’m currently in is vastly different than anything I’ve done before. There is no typical day. Mastering the uniquely different responsibilities of this role is my current goal. One moment, I am advising someone on probation in their job search and soft skills set, and the next day, I may be organizing a job fair or planning an Incumbent worker project. It’s a position where I will always be learning something,” she said.

“I have a unique blend of traditional values, especially when it comes to my family, along with a social awareness and forward-thinking mindset that challenges the longheld workplace and social stereotypes. I am an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, and I believe my flexibility and understanding of workforce development allows me to embrace and advocate for underrepresented populations,” she said.

Olson, who is 36 years old and resides in Oglesby with her wife and 4-year-old son, attended Illinois Valley Community College before completing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Illinois State University. She knew she wanted to return to the Illinois Valley after college and eventually landed at BEST, where she started as a career advisor.

“Workforce development was entirely new to me, but I quickly found my niche for helping the citizens of the communities we serve,” she said. “I currently serve as an Ambassador for the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, I sit on the NCAT Advisory committee, and I work closely with the LaSalle County Probation in the Adult Redeploy program and will soon sit on the LaSalle County Specialty Courts panel.”