DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

CHAMPIONING ACCEPTANCE.

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) within our organization and across Illinois communities. Our movement is for everyone—all are welcome to join.

Let’s make this a place where we learn from each other and grow together.

BELIEF STATEMENT

Special Olympics Illinois believes it can best live its mission and reach its vision by actively growing, developing, and nurturing an inclusive culture, which values, respects, and celebrates the diversity of each human spirit – both intrinsic and extrinsic capabilities, talents and traits – including gender, color, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, etc. that form diversity of the human spirit.

It also includes culture, life experiences, relationships, learning preferences, decision-making tactics, and many other influences that make us who we are.

WHAT IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING?

DIVERSITY

Diversity includes all the different ways we’re unique, like our identities (race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, tribe, caste, and socio-economic status) and how we think and communicate. It’s about understanding and celebrating, not just tolerating, what makes us different.

EQUITY

Equity focuses on ensuring that everyone receives fair treatment, has equal opportunities, and can access information and resources. It involves addressing advantages or barriers that individuals or groups may face to move towards more equal outcomes.

INCLUSION

Inclusion means authentically involving traditionally excluded individuals or groups in processes, activities, decision-making and policies—sharing power along the way. It’s about building a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people.

BELONGING

Belonging is the sense of security, support, acceptance, inclusion, and identity that comes from having a voice and the opportunity to participate and contribute to a community. The aim is to create safe spaces where everyone can be themselves and build meaningful connections.

DEIB: WHAT’S IT MEAN TO ME?

DIVERSITY IS

everyone playing their sport, their way.

EQUALITY IS

everyone getting a team jersey.

EQUITY IS

getting a pair of shoes that fit.

BELONGING IS

having a spot on a team.

ACCEPTANCE MEANS

being celebrated for being you.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS DEIB INITIATIVE

At Special Olympics Illinois, focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is key to our mission’s inclusivity. It helps create positive identities, a sense of belonging, and unlocks the full potential of athletes—transforming lives for the better.

That’s why we set goals to promote diversity and inclusion among athletes, Unified Partners, volunteers, donors, our Board of Directors, and staff.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Ultimately grow the diversity of employees, volunteers, donors, coaches and participants.
Promote and strengthen leadership, professional development and diversity programs for Special Olympics Illinois employees and the Board of Directors.
Nurture a welcoming and inclusive environment.

GOALS ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

Created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. (2018)
Hosted a Diversity & Inclusion Summit in conjunction with Special Olympics, Inc. (2019)
Gathered data by conducting stakeholder interviews along with an employee survey to gain an understanding of the current organizational baseline. (2020)
Created our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Belief Statement. (2020)
Updated the Athlete Partner And Gender Identity Policy. (2021)
Added an accessibility tool to our website. (2022)
Recruited other members to the DEIB committee, increasing it to nine people—seven SOILL staff, one Law Enforcement Torch Run member, and one athlete. (2023)
Started conducting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging staff training. (2023)

FUTURE GOALS

Recruit additional members of the Board of Directors to serve on the committee—looking for ad hoc members.
Work with all other strategic groups to reflect DEIB messaging into all communication.
Solidify annual employee training on DEIB as it relates to Special Olympics Illinois and our mission for 2024.
Increase participation of underrepresented groups including athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, etc.
Create a charter for the DEIB committee to establish terms, expectations and goals.

DEIB COMMITTEE

CINDY VILLAFUERTE

Business Administration & Diversity Officer

Kathy Schniedwind

Board Chair

Mo Khan

Government Relations

Patty Welsh

Region Development & Sports Management

Jillian Hosteny

Young Athletes & Unified Initiatives

Vanessa Campos

Amanda Spies

Development

Gabby Grieco

Development

Peter Beale-DelVecchio

Business Administration & Diversity Officer

Dan Conley

Senior Director

Strategic Planning Partner

Amber-Lee Dunn

Master Sergeant

Illinois State Police

Jenay Johnson

Human Resources

Sarah Stevens

DEIB Training Consultant

Zinyra “Z” Ross

Athlete Board Member & Global Messenger

Rob Queenan

Lauryn Haas

Marketing

Dennis Walker

Torch Run

TERRY WHEAT

Board of Directors

ROB JOHNSON

Board of Directors

LORELIE PAROLIN

Board of Directors

DEANNA WEST

Board of Directors

ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS

These partners allow our athletes to gain job shadowing experience and learn various job aspects within their companies.

CINDY VILLAFUERTE

Business Administration & Diversity Officer

Cindy Villafuerte has been part of the Special Olympics Illinois movement over the past decade. She is a business professional who is passionate about inclusivity and an advocate for those who don’t always have a voice. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee is essential to building an inclusive culture for our athletes, community and workforce. Where everyone is valued, diversity is celebrated and a sense of belonging nurtured. Together we can contribute to build a more inclusive, tolerant and enriched society for the benefit of all, both abled and disabled.

Kathy Schniedwind

Board Chair

I have been a SOILL volunteer since about 1980. I chaired/co-chaired the medical coverage for the State Summer Games and State Basketball for 23 years. I have had many volunteer opportunities including awards, gymnastics, athletics, swimming, bocce, athlete leadership and others. I joined this committee because I wanted to contribute to the equitable treatment of all individuals and show them like they belong. I have served on the SOILL Board of Directors since 2010 and am currently serving as the Board Chair.

Patty Welsh

Region Development & Sports Management

Patty has over 35 years of experience working with individuals of all ages in the Special Recreation and Special Olympics field. Throughout her career she has worked with individuals with and without disabilities and their families as they start their sports and work journey. Patty is excited to be on the DEIB committee as we work to ensure all individuals have access to and feel included at Special Olympics Illinois.

Amanda Spies

Development

Amanda is a strong advocate for the disability community and has dedicated her career to transforming the lives of people with disabilities. Prior to joining SOILL, she was the community outreach lead for Northwestern Medicine’s internal disability employee resource group and worked for a variety nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities. Amanda is particularly passionate about inclusion, health equity, and intersectionality as it relates to the disability community. She hopes to bring a DEIB lens to her work in development at SOILL.

Mo Khan

Government Relations

Mo Khan is an attorney and advocate for public policy that uplifts underserved populations. People of all backgrounds, beliefs, and communities deserve to be included. This idea is fundamental to the Special Olympics movement and sits at the core of this committee’s charter. Launching the DEIB committee is important because it serves as a platform for the entire Special Olympics Illinois community to come together around shared values.

Jillian Hosteny

Young Athletes & Unified Initiatives

Jillian started her professional journey as a teacher and since has worked with individuals of all ages in various roles over the past 12 years. Throughout her career she has worked with people with various differences including socioeconomic standing, race, religion, LGBTQ+, and disabilities. Jillian is excited to be on the DEIB committee as we work to ensure all individuals have access to and feel included in the great opportunities that are offered within Special Olympics Illinois.

Vanessa Campos

LETR – Development

Vanessa believes in embracing the power of diversity and how that strengthens our community. Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American, in a small town in Central Illinois, diversity and inclusion were not often celebrated. This experience was the driving force of her being an advocate for unrepresented communities. She strongly believes in DIEB work of dismantling systemic barriers, challenging biases to pave away for equal opportunities for all. Because everyone deserves a seat at the table.

Gabby Grieco

Development

Gabby focused her studies on DEIB and obtained a master’s degree in public administration where she delved into pressing public issues. Prior to joining the SOILL staff, Gabby worked as a social studies teacher and served as co-chair of the school’s DEI committee. She now sits on the DEIB committee at SOILL and is eager to work to ensure everyone currently within and those new to the Special Olympics Illinois community feel welcome and all can belong.

SOILL_Headshots_Staff_Pete-Beale-DelVecchio

Peter Beale-DelVecchio

Business Administration & Diversity Officer

Bio coming soon

Dan Conley

Senior Director – Strategic Planning Partner

Bio coming soon

Rob Johnson

Board of Directors

Rob Johnson is a multiple Emmy Award-winning former TV News Anchor who spent 20+ years on the airwaves of Chicago, both at ABC and CBS. He has taken that expertise to create his consulting firm, Rob Johnson Communications. He is also the Executive Producer of a Chicago labor union’s YouTube channel, creating content and episodes about the essential and highly skilled work its members do. Rob is the co-host of the acclaimed, bi-weekly podcast “Can You Hear Me?” with Eileen Rochford, CEO of the Harbinger Group, focused on C-Suite brand building and best communication practices for company leaders. Rob is also passionate about supporting not-for-profits, serving on boards for Special Olympics Illinois, Concussion Legacy Foundation, and Mission Neem. He also MCs and supports dozens of other charitable organizations in the Chicago area.

Lorelie Parolin

Board of Directors

Bio coming soon!

Deanna West

Board of Directors

Bio coming soon!

Amber-Lee Dunn

Master Sergeant – Illinois State Police

Amber Dunn is a patrol Master Sergeant with the Illinois State Police and serves on the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run committee. Amber has been involved with Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the past 12 years. Working as a minority female in a male-dominated and limited diversity environment, she has been a proponent for diversity, equity, and inclusion at all events and areas. Amber is committed to ensuring that SOILL is a welcoming and inclusive place for all members of our community.

Jenay Johnson

Human Resources

As a Human Resources professional, I understand the importance of welcoming and supporting those with a variety of differences. I believe everyone should have access to the same resources and opportunities. As an African American woman, I have often found myself as the minority within my workplace and seek to make a change by including those from all walks of life, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, disability, or socio-economic status. Having an inclusive and open environment brings others together, and I believe we are all stronger together.

Sarah Stevens

DEIB Training Consultant

Sarah Stevens is a former healthcare executive turned writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. After leaving her career in corporate healthcare in 2016, she founded The Beautifull Project – a storytelling collective that has reached tens of thousands of women across the globe with its powerful message about learning to take up space. She also serves as the Community Impact Officer at The Project of The Quad Cities, a nonprofit that serves people living with HIV and the LGBTQ+ community. “I am an eternal optimist with an abiding belief that the world as a whole – and our workplaces in particular – are capable of being so much more than they have ever been before. I believe that the story doesn’t have to end the way it started. I believe that we can always write a better ending.”

Zinyra “Z” Ross

Athlete Board Member & Global Messenger

Zinyra “Z” Ross has lived two distinct lives. The first, she was isolated by severe cognitive disability and bullied. In her present life, Z is a confident and courageous role model. Z was raised to embrace life challenges and create her own path. At 13 years old Z began volunteering and working at Brookfield Zoo Chicago Zoological Society. This became and continues to be a non-traditional means of education for Zinyra, while she continues to work there. Zinyra also works at United Airlines as a Special Olympics Illinois service ambassador, she is one of the first to be hired in this position (UA4). Z is a Special Olympics Illinois athlete, leader, global messenger, Board of Director member and DEIB board member for Special Olympics Illinois. As well as a Artisan and innovative entrepreneur. As a member of the DEIB Board. I know access to resources are vital to know what adequate accommodations are needed for people with disabilities like me. I will continue to help others grow int