Gov. Pritzker Announces Eight Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes

Grace Pai will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.* Pai currently serves as Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, where she has led the successful campaign to require that Asian American history be taught in all public schools. Pai also created an in-house organizing training program that has trained over 125 community leaders. She previously served as Midwest Region Senior Community Organizer and Organizing Director. Prior to joining Asian Americans Advancing Justice, she drove missions at Asian American Midwest Progressives and the Asian American Advocacy Fund. She serves on the Board of Directors at Kan-Win. Pai received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from University of Chicago.

Illinois International Port District

Averil Edwards will continue serve on the Illinois International Port District Board.* Edwards is currently Managing Counsel on Environmental & Sustainability at United Airlines, Inc. Previously, she served as Associate at Winston & Strawn LLP. Edwards serves as Pro Bono Attorney at Cabrini-Green Legal Aid Clinic, and she is also Volunteer Attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center. Edwards is a member of the Illinois Bar and the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakwood University and a Juris Doctorate from University of Chicago Law School.

P.S. Sriraj will continue serve on the Illinois International Port District Board.* Sriraj is currently Research Associate Professor and Director of the Urban Transportation Center at University of Illinois Chicago. Sriraj leads the Urban Transportation Center by working on research projects, teaching graduate courses, advising students, and advising public policy focused on transportation. Additionally, Sriraj serves as Adjunct Associate Professor at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Sriraj serves on the Transportation Committee of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and as Executive Committee Director for the Council of University Transportation Centers. He was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who. Sriraj earned his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology & Science and his Doctor of Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Jonathan Bullock will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.* Bullock has dedicated his career to higher education; he currently serves as President of Lake Land College and Practitioner Faculty at Ferris State University. Prior to serving at Lake Land College, Bullock was Vice President for Strategic Advancement at Moraine Park Technical College. He is an active member of his community and engages with several organizations throughout Eastern Illinois, including Coles Together, the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, and the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System. Bullock received his Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Madison, his Master of Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and his Doctor of Philosophy from Marian University.

Maureen Amos will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.* Amos is a higher education financial professional who currently serves as Executive Director of Financial Aid at Northeastern Illinois University. She provides leadership in designing innovative processes for delivering support services to veterans and students that are eligible for financial aid. Before that, Amos was Associate Director of Financial Aid at Northeastern Illinois University and Assistant Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid at University of Illinois Chicago. Amos received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from DePaul University, and she earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Concordia University.

Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board

Brianna Rivera will serve as a Member of the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District Board.* Rivera has focused on revitalizing downtown Quincy through innovative programs, event management, and small business support, all aimed at continuing economic growth and increasing community engagement. She currently serves as Executive Director of The District, the historic business district of downtown Quincy. With experience in nonprofit management, stakeholder collaboration, and securing funding through grants and public-private partnerships, Rivera understands the importance of balancing big-picture strategies with actionable goals. Rivera received a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University and a Master of Educational Leadership from Quincy University.

Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees

Deborah Barnett will serve as a Member of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees.* Barnett has dedicated her career to business development and higher education in Southern Illinois. She currently serves as Executive Director of Southern Illinois Now. In this role, Barnett is responsible for regional economic development, focusing on business development, education, and workforce development. Before that, she was Director of Business Incubator Programs and Associate Director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s research park within the university’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development. Barnett is active in her community with the Illinois Economic Development Association and the International Economic Development Council. She was an Emerging Women Leaders Honoree in March of 2024. Barnett received a Bachelor of Science from Mid-Continent University and a Master of Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board

Matthew Coleman will serve as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board.* Coleman has shaped his career by providing legal counsel to working class families across Illinois. He currently serves as Partner and Head of Work Injury at Parente & Norem, P.C. Coleman is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the American Association for Justice, the Illinois State Trial Association, and the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association. Coleman received a Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University and a Juris Doctorate from University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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