STAFF

The Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA) is the membership organization that provides a unified voice and support to the poverty fighting network of Community Action Agencies.

LARRY
DAWSON
President & CEO

ANITA
HOLMGREN
Chief Financial Officer

CHRISTINE
WESTERLUND
Director of Professional Development

MARGO
MURRAY
Fiscal Assistant

NICOLE
POPEJOY
Program Specialist

KRYSTLE
POORMAN
Executive Assistant

RICK
BROWN
Training Specialist

MACKENZIE
ANDERSON
Program Specialist

STEVEN
HELFERS
Program Specialist

3435 Liberty Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-789-0125

Who We Are

About IACAA
Staff
Board of Directors
Contact

Resources

Programs & Incentives
Meeting Rooms
Training
Members

More Information

3435 Liberty Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-789-0125

Who We Are

About IACAA
Staff
Board of Directors
Contact

Resources

Programs & Incentives
Meeting Rooms
Training
Members

More Info

Larry Dawson

President & CEO

Larry Dawson is the President & CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. Prior to become President & CEO, Larry served as the Director of Utility and Weatherization Programs for IACAA. Prior to working at IACAA, Larry was the DCEO Deputy Director of Energy Assistance with primary responsibility for LIHEAP, PIPP and Weatherization. Larry began his work with Energy Assistance in 2003.

During his time at DCEO, he worked closely with the Community Action Agencies in an effort to help make energy services more affordable for low-income families. Both LIHEAP.net and STARS were developed during his tenure. Upon his departure from DCEO in 2015, he began providing technical assistance and training as an independent consultant to state Energy Directors around the country.

Anita Holmgren

Chief Financial Officer

Anita is the Chief Financial Officer for IACAA. Prior to joining the IACAA team in January 2010, Anita worked for 12 years at Aurora University in various accounting and management roles. After moving from Aurora to Springfield in 2009, Anita worked at Sikich, LLP as a staff accountant. She serves the IACAA team by overseeing all accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and auditing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Aurora University. Anita has two daughters and enjoys gardening, camping, boating, and traveling - and is a Parrothead!

Christine Westerlund

Director of Professional Development

Christine Westerlund is the Director of Professional Development for the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. Christine has over thirty years of experience working with governmental entities and non-profit organizations as a researcher, grant writer, facilitator and trainer. She holds professional credentials in: Master ROMA (results oriented management and accountability) Trainer, Family and Community Development Specialist, Community Action Professional (CCAP), Scenario Planning, Poverty Coaching, Beegle Gold Star Speaker, National Family Development Credential Instructor, Trauma Informed Care, and Family Centered Coaching Instructor. She was recently elected to the Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers (ANCRT) Board of Directors. Christine is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Vice President of the Chatham Area Public Library District Board of Trustees and an active volunteer in the Springfield community.

Margo Murray

Fiscal Assistant

Margo is the Fiscal Assistant, prior to joining the IACAA team in October of 2021, Margo was employed with Sangamon County Community Resources as a Family and Community Development Specialist in the CSBG department. Prior to moving to Illinois in 2014, she resided in Vero Beach, Florida where she worked as a Targeted Case Manager with Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, aiding in numerous grants and programs for over 10 years. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration. Her favorite past times include cooking, traveling, art and spending quality time with her family.

Nicole Popejoy

Program Specialist

Nicole is a Program Specialist for the Employment Barrier Reduction Pilot Program with the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. Prior to starting with IACAA in October of 2021, she was a Youth Program Director at the YMCA here in Springfield, and before that she was a Program Manager of a swim school for kids in Chicago. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling, both from Cincinnati Christian University. Nicole enjoys working out, hiking, and camping with her family. She is passionate about making a difference and helping others.

Kristie Poorman

Executive Assistant

Krystle Poorman joined the IACAA team in May of 2021. Krystle is a Springfield native and mother of 4 beautiful children. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and has over 20 years of administrative experience. Krystle enjoys crafting and cookouts with her family. She and her family take vacations several times a year and make a point to stop and eat anywhere that is either local to the area or a chain that is not found locally to her. Her oldest son is currently stationed in Hawaii with the United States Army and will call the islands his home for the next several years.

Rick Brown

Training Specialist

Rick Brown is the Training Specialist for IACAA. Rick has a background working with at-risk populations including adult job seekers and vulnerable youth. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming trainer. A practitioner of karate for 47 years, he is a 5th-degree black belt. Additionally, he is an avid collector of comic books and loves classic films.

Mackenzie Anderson

Program Specialist

Kenzie was raised and lives in Springfield with her Australian Shepherd, Maverick. She enjoys spending her free time volunteering and being active in the community. Kenzie is currently the President of the Junior League of Springfield and has been an active member since 2015. She also serves on the board for the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, volunteers at the Illinois State Museum, coaches Girls on the Run, and assists with transports for Speak St. Louis Rescue and Sanctuary for dogs. In her spare time, Kenzie enjoys visiting with friends, petting every animal possible, and going to concerts.

Steven Helfers

Program Specialist

Steven Helfers is one of our Program Specialists, and is originally from Elburn, IL. Prior to joining IACAA Steven had a background in accounting, more specifically in temporary housing and insurance. In his spare time, Steven enjoys spending time with his dog, Rocky, and his family, laboring in the yard when the weather allows and boating. Steven also volunteers for the Illinois Railway Museum with their accounting department.