Get to Know Us
(this page is under construction)
The Friends Board is a dedicated group of community members committed to supporting child victims in Kane County. Comprised of experienced professionals, these volunteers give their time and passion to ensure that the needs of these victims and their families are met promptly and compassionately. Their unwavering commitment makes a significant difference in the lives of the people they serve. Together, they strive to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
President
Pam Ely
Joined in May 2022
I volunteer with Friends because I formerly worked as an investigator and Forensic Interviewer at the CAC. After the passing of Deb Bree, the former Executive Director of the CAC, I volunteered to honor Deb and the work she did protecting the abused Children in Kane County.
Favorite Quote: The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away- Pablo Picasso.
Treasurer
Russell Wolf
()
Senior Board Member
Jim James
Joined in 1990
I joined because people I respected asked me to and because my other philanthropic endeavor, The Exchange Club of Aurora, had a similar purpose, the prevention of child abuse.
I have also served in the role as president and secretary.
My favorite quotations are “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”(Wayne Gretsky)
Board Member
Michelle Fritz
()
Board Member
Liz Whitaker
()
Board Member
Robin Partin
()
Board Member
Cooper Lloyd
Joined: June 2024
I volunteer with Friends because those in need of the CAC's services should know that they have support from their community.
Favorite Quote: "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing" Theodore Roosevelt
Board Member
Holly Smith
Joined: May 2024.
I volunteer with Friends To share my nonprofit, government and education association knowledge and experience to support the CAC and fill the service gaps to children and families in need.
Favorite Quote "We agree to differ, we resolve to love, we unite to serve" - Stoddard Lane
Board Member
Judy Thomas
Joined: August 2024
I decided to join the board because I want to be a driving force in change for our most vulnerable population.
Favorite Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
Board Member
Kristen Julian
Joined: August 2024
I joined the board in August after leaving an investigator position at the CAC to take on a supervisory role in a police department. I spent more than half of my law enforcement career investigating crimes against children and advocating for victims and their families and wanted to continue that effort by being on the board.
Favorite quote: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.- Theodore Roosevelt
