(May 2026)

Nominations Deadline is June 15, 2026!

We are excited to announce that four ILOTA Executive Board positions are open for nominations. The Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA) Board wants and needs your active involvement.  Voting will occur this summer for positions which begin September 1, 2026. The four positions are:

• Secretary
• Director of Communications
• Director of Membership
• Director of Finance-Elect

The current Board Members have shared some information below about the positions. We encourage anyone who would like to be involved to consider nominating yourself or others for one of these Executive Board positions. (If nominating someone other than yourself, please obtain that person's permission, first.) Please send nominations or questions to the ILOTA office at [email protected]. Nominations are due by June 15, 2026. All nominees should provide a Position Statement. The Position Descriptions for the open positions can be accessed below or requested from the ILOTA Executive Director. It may also be useful to view the current ILOTA Organizational Chart here.

Submits formal notes from all organizational meetings. Oversees the Archives Coordinator, Board Recruitment Coordinator, Nominations Coordinator, and Awards Coordinator. View Position Description here.

"The Secretary is an integral leadership role within the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association, serving on the Executive Board and supporting efficient, transparent operations aligned with ILOTA’s strategic goals. In this role, the Secretary is responsible for documenting and tracking Executive and Full Board actions and decisions, ensuring timely communication with leadership and members, supporting follow-through on organizational priorities, and overseeing key committees and coordinators to ensure their work aligns with ILOTA’s mission and elevates diverse voices across the Association. Working closely with the Executive Board and Executive Director, the Secretary helps prepare meeting agendas, maintain official records, and support effective governance processes. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as ILOTA Secretary, as it has provided a meaningful opportunity to engage with occupational therapy practitioners across Illinois, contribute to statewide professional advocacy, and stay informed about critical issues impacting our profession. This rewarding role is well suited for individuals with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a collaborative environment. Participation as Secretary provides valuable leadership experience while helping shape the direction and future of ILOTA and the occupational therapy profession in Illinois.

Samantha R. Smith, OTR/L"

Oversees all communication methods provided by the organization including The Communiqué newsletter, social media, and the website. Oversees the Newsletter Coordinator, Website Coordinator, Blog Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator. View Position Description here.

"The Director of Communications is a unique opportunity to combine creativity with practical leadership skills. There has been enough structure to guide me as I learned the in's and out's of the position, while also having the freedom to think creatively to impact the scope and reach of the ILOTA communications. It has been a fun mix of scholarship, educational content, advocacy, and social networking in this role. I've learned a lot about the inner workings of the association and been exposed to so many amazing things our members are creating, doing, and studying. As a first-time ILOTA board member, being in this position has really expanded my understanding of ILOTA and all the opportunities and resources available, and allowed me to have a real and meaningful impact for our members and broader community.

Lauren Stone Kelly, OTD, OTR/L"

Addresses ways to increase and retain membership in order to safeguard the practice of Occupational Therapy in Illinois. Oversees the Professional Development Coordinator, Retention Coordinator, Networking Coordinator, and Leadership Development Coordinator. View Position Description here.

"In my role as Director of Membership, I’ve had the opportunity to collaboratively implement initiatives to increase membership numbers, improve membership benefits, explore creative ways to decrease membership costs, and explore opportunities for member engagement. The person in this role works closely with other members of the Executive Board, from the Executive Director to the President. The Membership Director also collaborates with subcommittee chairs and liaisons. Some skills that facilitate success in this role include collaboration, innovative and creative thinking, and communication.

Luther King, DrOT, MOT, OTR/L, CDRS"

Organizes and manages budgetary information (manages accounting system, including but not limited to account coding, labeling of line items and proper assignment of debits and credits). The Director of Finance oversees the CE Coordinator, Conference Coordinator, Student Conclave Coordinator, and CE Approval Coordinator. View Position Description here.

"As Director of Finance for ILOTA, you play a key role in strengthening the association and supporting its mission. Key responsibilities include overseeing financial records and accounts, processing monthly payments, preparing and monitoring budgets, and reconciling accounts ahead of each board meeting. In addition, you contribute to the planning of our annual state conference, student conclave, and continuing education events in collaboration with the CEU committee. Proficiency in spreadsheets, budgeting, and financial management are advisable in this role. Beyond managing finances, this position offers the opportunity to actively shape the association’s growth, enhance member services, and help ensure the organization’s long-term financial health and stability.

Sarah Mugavero, OTD, OTR/L"

Please send nominations or questions to the ILOTA office at [email protected]. Nominations are due by June 15, 2026.