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Board Members
Teresa Harvey
Teresa Harvey is the President of the FirstFollowers Board. She is a mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend with a caring and nurturing personality who is passionate about the well-being and fairness of others. Inspired by FirstFollowers’ vision for our community, their desire for the restoration of basic civil and human rights for those who have spent time behind bars, and the impact of incarceration on her family, she became a volunteer. She joined the board in Sept 2017. She strives to help First Followers fulfill their mission to build strong and peaceful communities.
Cecilia Donaldson
Cecilia Donaldson works diligently to continue to be a positive social change agent in the community. Through her professional experiences in law enforcement, the mental health industry, and volunteerism, she helps create a positive impact on people's lives. She is an advocate for individuals who are underrepresented. She is a helper who gives one-on-one attention/support to mentees and adult students in literacy, and an organizer who assists in creating programs to inspire people to live a productive life by collaborating with individuals in working through various life challenges. Cecilia Donaldson believes she will always learn from others as she continues to be a positive social change agent in the community.
Kasey Umland
Kasey Umland brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration to her work with FirstFollowers. Following over a decade with the University YMCA (where she first became engaged with FirstFollowers), she currently serves as the Director of the University of Illinois Women's Resources Center. When she isn't at the WRC, Kasey is actively engaged in the C-U community serving as Secretary of the board of FirstFollowers and previously serving on the boards of the YWCA - UIUC, Channing-Murray Foundation and Homestead Corporation. In her free time, Kasey enjoys baking, cycling, reading sci-fi/fantasy novels, and hanging out with her dog.
Mary Haywood-Benson
Mary Haywood-Benson's community activities are many and varied.
She is a charter member of the Champaign County Section, National Council of Negro
Women (NCNW), She has served the Church Women United, Champaign Urbana unit as
President for eight years and is presently serving as interim President.
Janeen H. Jones
Janeen H. Jones is a retired Chicago Police Officer of 25 years. She has a B.A. and a certificate in Paralegal Studies. She currently spends her time giving back to her community through literacy training and other programs aimed at improving the lives of her fellow citizens.
Agostin Torres
Augie Torres is a formerly incarcerated person who has been very active since his release from prison. He is a graduate from The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. His previous work includes positions at Acclivus Inc, READI Chicago (Heartland Alliance) Edovo, Cure Violence Chicago (UIC), SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP), and The Education Justice Project (UIUC). He also sits on the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC).
Emmett Sanders
Emmett Sanders is a researcher, writer, and advocate who spent more than 22 years in Illinois prisons. He is a Policy Advocate with Prison Policy Initiative, a national public policy think tank focused on issues of mass incarceration. He has authored numerous publications and works with advocacy organizations and legislators around the country to support both on-the-ground and legislative policy efforts aimed at bringing about systemic change. His work centers the lived experience of those impacted by incarceration and explores a wide range of issues including electronic monitoring, parole, jail expansion, and felony disenfranchisement, and has been featured in a number of publications. He holds a BA in English Literature, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, and currently lives in Alabama with his wife, Maggie and their son, Baldwin James.