FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Non-Member)

Megan Ragan, LCSW, is the Executive Director of the Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center. With over a decade of experience in southern Illinois child and family serving systems, Megan has a robust background in leadership, grant management, and program development. She has led numerous state and federal grant initiatives through successful implementation and evaluation, and she is passionate about using these skills to bring more resources and support to the community. Megan is a dynamic presenter, known for engaging workshops on a variety of topics including substance use, mental health, trauma, and neurodiversity. She is committed to enhancing services and support in her community through compassionate engagement.

CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Angela Quigley-Ragland is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She currently serves as the Director of Social Work at Chester Mental Health Center. Angela has extensive experience in program administration, clinical supervision, and grant management, having worked with various organizations including Centerstone and Lutheran Social Services. Her expertise includes trauma-informed care, substance use disorder treatment, and community outreach. Angela has also directed several SAMHSA-funded projects and has presented at numerous professional conferences on topics related to mental health and trauma.

CONSULTANT AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Dhru first fell in love with the beauty and people of southern Illinois nearly 20 years ago. Although Dr. Dhru has spent recent years outside of southern Illinois serving as an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of North Texas, he has maintained close personal and professional ties with the community and has been instrumental in bringing millions of grant dollars for services, programs and resources to southern Illinois.

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Dennis is a writer, educator, and Recovery Services Program Manager at Egyptian Health Department, where he oversees a team of Certified Recovery Support Specialists and leads a Recovery-Oriented System of Care in rural Southeastern Illinois. He also serves as a board member of the Southern Illinois Recovery Network and as chair of the Illinois Statewide Recovery Advisory Committee. His work focuses on strengthening local recovery capital, advancing harm reduction, and expanding community outreach. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis’s Writing Program, his personal essays on recovery have appeared in The Paris Review, Lit Hub, and The Best American Essays 2023. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a New York Times Sidney Award for long-form journalism.

A native Southern Illinoisan, Amber spent fifteen years teaching at Trico Elementary School. Amber's commitment to supporting students led her to become an advocate for family engagement and community partnerships, believing that collaboration is key to student success. As a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher, she has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and continuous professional growth. After leaving the classroom, Amber is still honoring her love of education through the Partnership for Resilience where she partners with schools to provide guidance and facilitation of practices to mitigate the effects of trauma and toxic stress in the lives of students, families, and communities.

Rebecca is a licensed social worker with an MSW in Social Work and an
MA in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. She is currently employed at the University of Illinois as a trainer and facilitator in child welfare, where she supports the professional development of practitioners across the state. Rebecca brings extensive experience as a child welfare supervisor, specializing in preventative services and connecting
families with essential community resources. She also has a strong
background in the non‑profit sector, with a demonstrated history of
guiding individuals and families through compassionate, evidence‑based support. Her work is rooted in strengthening communities, advancing well‑being, and promoting equitable access to services.

Biography coming soon!

Biography coming soon!