Meet the Birth to Five Illinois® Team

Cicely Fleming

Cicely Fleming (she/her) is the Director for Birth to Five Illinois. She has a successful history within community collaborations and has played a key part in systems design and equity analyses. As a community leader, she has served in various roles including as a Cook County Racial Equity Committee co-chair, City of Evanston Mental Health Board member, nonprofit founder, and Alderwoman for the City of Evanston. Most recently she was an adjunct professor for DePaul University and founder of a nonprofit focused on grassroots initiatives to achieve racial equity through civic engagement, voter education, and local candidate development. Cicely holds a Bachelor in Sociology from Shaw University and a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University. She also completed the McCormick Foundation Executive Fellowship at Erikson Institute.

Sonja Clark

Sonja Clark (she/her) is the Director of Operations for Birth to Five Illinois. In this capacity, she plays a central role in establishing the foundation of support for the Regional Early Childhood Councils throughout the state of Illinois. Sonja has worked in administration for various nonprofit organizations in Early Childhood and other community-based programs including Early Head Start, Head Start, Prevention Initiative, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Family Child Care Homes (FCCH), Early Intervention, Home Visiting, Housing for Homeless Youth, Foster Care and Clinical spanning the past 25+ years. Sonja obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Chicago State University and her Master of Arts in Early Childhood from Roosevelt University. She also holds a Professional Educator License and has held the Developmental Therapist Credential through the Early Intervention system of Illinois. Sonja is also a proud alumna of Erikson’s Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellows.

Maggie Koller

Maggie Koller (she/her) is the Communications Manager for Birth to Five Illinois. Most recently, she served as the Director of Communication & Dissemination for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD), leading the office’s communication strategy, and managing logistics and communications for three statewide groups: the Illinois Early Learning Council (ELC), ELC Executive Committee, and Early Childhood Inter-Agency Team (IAT). Maggie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Theater Arts/Dance from Beloit College and holds a Master of Science in Child Development with a specialization in Children’s Law and Policy from Erikson Institute. She is also a proud alumna of Erikson’s Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellows program. Prior to transitioning into Early Childhood, Maggie worked in advertising in creative, strategic, and management capacities and choregraphed, performed, and toured with several Chicago-based modern dance companies. Maggie grew up in Oak Park and currently resides in Berwyn, Illinois, with her husband, Diego, and her frog, Harold.

Sophie Kershaw-Patilla

Sophie Kershaw-Patilla (she/her) is the Communications Coordinator for Birth to Five Illinois. Sophie has worked in education, communications, and finance for the past 20+ years. She previously worked as the communications specialist for the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University and served as an adjunct faculty member in music and psychology at Lincoln Trail College. 

Sophie loves to help others and stay actively involved in her community. Sophie holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from Tennessee Technological University. She lives in Galesburg, Illinois, with her husband and two children.

Eli Stewart

Eli Stewart (she/her) is the Communications Assistant for Birth to Five Illinois. She has prior experience supporting operational needs for various industries. Eli earned her bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature with a specialization in Professional Writing and has a minor in African American familial studies. She networks with parents of children who are developmentally disabled and has an interest in helping provide local families with necessary resources. Eli and her son are from Coffeen. They enjoy baking bread, gardening, and spending time with their family.

Melissa Williams

Melissa Williams (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Manager for Birth to Five Illinois. Prior to joining the Team, Melissa worked in Early Childhood Education and Care in various settings including public schools, Early Childhood centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. Throughout her career she has maintained a dedication to ensuring families are valued and treated as partners in their child's education and strongly believes family voice is vital to ensuring quality Early Childhood Education is accessible to all. Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Education from Western Illinois University.

Melissa lives in Rock Island County with her husband, daughter, and cat. Her hobbies include reading, spending time with her family, and taking drives to explore new places.

Michele Draper

Michele Draper (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Coordinator for Birth to Five Illinois. She is an Illinois Certified Family Partnership Professional. Michele is passionate about advocating for improved access to mental health services for children and families. As a former Family Peer Support Provider, she has experience working with schools to help children feel successful and emotionally supported in an educational setting. 

Michele has organized mental health awareness events in communities throughout Southern Illinois and rallies in the State capitol. Being a keynote speaker at the first Illinois Children's Health Caucus was one of the highlights of Michele's advocacy as a parent and mental health professional. She worked to promote the Early Mental Health Act, which became law in 2018. Michele has three adult daughters, Jayda, Aysia, and Adyson, a son, Will, and a bonus son, Owen. She was raised in McLeansboro where she still resides today. When Michele is not curled up with a good book, she can be found enjoying her backyard with her husband, Michael. Her loves are doting on her plants and flowers, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Angela Hubbard-Fragozo

Angela Hubbard-Fragozo (she/her) is the Grants and Relationship Manager for Birth to Five Illinois. In her prior role, she managed grants and partnerships for a national network of children’s library workers with the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

Angela also brings her experience working in Early Childhood policy with the Illinois and National Policy Teams of Start Early. She is a former National Board Certified Chicago Public Schools elementary teacher, a former Illinois Early Childhood Fellow, a native St. Louisan/Chicago transplant, and a proud Washington University in St. Louis alumna.

Angela spends her downtime cultivating an urban farm in her backyard, exploring nature with her family, and playing team sports in the largest LGBTQ+ sports organization in the Midwest.

Amber McMorris

Amber McMorris (she/her) is the Executive Assistant for Birth to Five Illinois. Amber has an extensive work history in technology, marketing, and federal service. Throughout her professional career, she has specialized in administrative, analytical, and customer service duties. Most recently, she utilized her talents to aid hundreds of seniors, minors, and those who are underserved in the federal government sector. Amber is passionate about using her analytic and customer service skills to serve as a helping hand to both people in the community and those serving the community.

Born and raised in Illinois, Amber believes family and community resources are integral pieces of optimal Early Childhood development. In her spare time, Amber likes to be with her family, explore new places in Chicago, and maintain her physical fitness.

Bridget Bosch

Bridget Bosch (she/her) is the Professional Learning Coordinator for Birth to Five Illinois. She brings to this role her passion for collaborating with professionals and program leaders serving young families. Her varied workplace experiences span across elementary school districts, not-for-profit agencies, maternal and child health centers, and university research grant funded programs. Most recently, Bridget was a trainer, technical assistance, and quality specialist for a Prenatal-5 Family Engagement Model and Curriculum implemented in Prevention Initiative, Early Head Start/Head Start, Healthy Family America, and other home visiting and center-based programs across the country. She is also a Brazelton Touchpoints certified trainer. Bridget seeks to support professionals using a strength-based lens and facilitating a collaborative learning environment for all.

 Bridget holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University and master’s degree in Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Bridget lives in the south suburbs of Chicago where she and her husband raise their three, almost all flown, children.