Our Speakers
Discover their incredible stories
We are so excited to be announcing this years incredible cast for TWSS Heart of Illinois 2025! Made up of women from all over our community, our lineup of women have stories that will touch your hearts, leave you cracking up, and maybe even create some new connections.
We aim to include stories from all walks of life by women from the Heart of Illinois community. We are so proud of this years cast and are already looking forward to next years. If you are interested in sharing your story from the stage, we invite you to submit an interest form letting us know a little bit more about yourself and your story.
Marsha Cordts
Marsha has lived most of her life in Decatur, Illinois.
Marsha pursued a career in nursing and received her diploma in Nursing from St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield Illinois in
1974. As she continued to advance her career, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Millikin University in 1993 and a Master of Science Degree in Health Services Administration from University of St. Francis, Joliet Illinois in 2001.
Marsha’s nursing experience included working in different
capacities for 24 years at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur Illinois.
She then facilitated the opening of the DMH Surgery Center and retired after 14 years as the Director of the DMH Surgery Center and the DMH Millennium Pain Center.
She served 10 years US Navy Reserves Nurse Corps and achieved
the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Now retired, Marsha pursues her love of music, playing her piano and singing with OPUS 24. She is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
She stays active running and biking
with her friends.
Marsha and her husband Rick have been married 53+ years and
have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
Niki Fenderson
Niki Fenderson is a Decatur native with 3 wonderful children and two granddaughters. She has been involved in education for over 20 years and is currently the principal at Robertson Charter School.
Niki is a graduate of MacArthur High School and Richland Community College. She also attended Millikin University and received a degree in Human Services with a minor in Business Administration. Later, she realized that she wanted to be involved in making a positive impact in her community as an educator. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education and a middle school endorsement from UIS and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Eastern University.
Niki served on the boards of Big Brother Big Sister, YMCA, and is currently serving as Board Co-Chair of the Boys and Girls Club. She is committed to the positive development of our youth and serving her local community. Her belief is that it is our responsibility to give back to the communities that we live in.
She was the 2022 recipient of Do Something Great Award for her work as a board member of the Y. She was also the 2023 recipient of the Anna Waters Educator of the Year Award from the Greater Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce.
Not only are our youth important to her but she also has a passion for encouraging women to know their worth, empowering them to walk in their purpose, and inspiring them to grow in their relationship with God.
Kim Fields
Kim is a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep connection to
both business and nature. Growing up in South Africa, she developed a profound love for the outdoors, which ultimately led her to become a Master Gardener.
Today, she channels that passion into creating vibrant, flourishing spaces, blending her appreciation for the natural world with her creative spirit.
Alongside her love for gardening, Kim has a talent for photography, capturing the beauty of nature and everyday moments through her lens. Her creativity and community-driven mindset have also shaped her success in business.
She owns and operates seven thriving Papa Murphy’s Pizza locations in central Illinois, where she expertly combines her business acumen with her personal passions, building strong relationships within her local community.
Shelith Hansbro
Shelith W. Hansbro is the Confidential Assistant to the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. In this role, she serves on the executive leadership team and is instrumental in
identifying and developing initiatives, policies, and procedures as they relate to departmental goals. Specifically, she has been tasked with the implementation and development of activities that engage our workforce in an environment of inclusiveness and professional development.
Hansbro is a Journalism graduate of Northern Illinois University and
earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois - Springfield.
She is a graduate of the Prison Fellowship Warden’s Exchange Program and a guest lecturer in Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand through Presbyterian
Support Northern.
Hansbro has also completed the Executive Women in Corrections
Leadership forums in- structed by the National Institute of Corrections.
Socially she is a member of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, and The Links, Incorporated.
She is passionate about her community and works to increase quality of life.
She is the wife of Kenneth, mother
of two daughters Kendyll and Kennedy and bonus mom to sons Evan, Courtney and Justin.
Elizabeth Jeffery
Born in 1945 in England, one of 4 children, I am the first in my family to go to college, at the University of London. After gaining a PhD in medical biochemistry, I immigrated to the USA in 1972, becoming a US citizen in 1996 I worked at the University of Minnesota for 10 years, then at the University of Illinois, Urbana, from 1983 until 2019, when I retired from the Departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition (primary) and Pharmacology (part of the medical school).
In 1988 I married David Snoeyenbos, moving to the outskirts of Decatur, on an oak savanna filled with 100 to 150 yr old oaks. I fell in love with the land and enjoy maintaining it. I am both a Master Gardener and a Master Naturalist.
David died in spring 2023, with the woodland flowers blooming and the new leaves just unrolling on the trees. I see him out there in my minds eye, helping me as I look after the land, sharing it with deer, a groundhog, possum, birds – and of course many squirrels. My goal is to create a habitat that pheasant and quail will return to.
Amber Kaylor
Amber Kaylor is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in the not-for-profit industry, where she has continually demonstrated a knack for providing strategic vision during times of transition and growth.
Passionate about identifying and harnessing potential in periods of change, Amber has earned a reputation for her adept leadership skills and innovative approach.
Amber holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership, as well as a Master of Business Administration, both earned from Millikin University. These academic accomplishments laid the foundation for her successful career trajectory.
In her previous role as President & CEO of the Children's Museum of Illinois, Amber spearheaded the development and execution of a notable expansion, with a special focus on honoring first responders. This project underscored her ability to envision and implement impactful initiatives that resonate with the community.
Upon assuming her role as CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, Amber wasted no time in implementing a growth strategy that yielded remarkable results, such as significant financial milestones and the enhancement of Ronald McDonald House Charities programs. Additionally, she has curated a dynamic and effective leadership team, positioning the organization for sustained excellence and widespread impact across the state of Illinois.
Driven by a commitment to serving others and making a meaningful difference, Amber Kaylor exemplifies leadership excellence and remains dedicated to advancing the mission of organizations she serves.
Amy Rueff
Amy Rueff lives in Decatur and is a community activist. She grew up in Wapella, Illinois as the youngest of 19 children and has worked her entire career as a union member.
Amy is the Resource Director for the Illinois AFL-CIO where she has worked for 20 years (since April 5, 2004). This job allows her the opportunity to work with unions representing nearly 900,000 members throughout the state of Illinois. Her duties include development of educational trainings, seminars, and conferences for the state organization as well as involvement in mobilizing around community and political campaigns. She also provides all the graphic design for the organization. She works closely with the 21 central labor councils and 20 building and construction trades councils in Illinois.
She is 38-year union member. During the early years at the IL AFL-CIO, she coordinated the Member Assistance Program helping dislocated workers through peer counseling and training into new careers. She applied for grants and did quarterly reporting for the program helping thousands of workers regain employment.
In 2015, she was commissioned to write a state matching grant to renovate the Mother Jones statue and cemetery in Mt. Olive, Illinois – the resting place of labor activist and heroine Mary “Mother” Jones. This grant brought in $43,000 in state grant money and another $78,000 from local unions which completed all the restorations and savings to perform future maintenance.
Mary Vogt
Mary has dedicated 29 years to education, with 21 years serving in administrative roles and the last 3 years as superintendent of Bement Community Unit School District 5.
Throughout her career, she has been committed to fostering student growth, supporting educators, and building collaborative school communities.
Mary earned her BS in Education from Illinois State University and went on to pursue advanced degrees in leadership, obtaining a MA in Educational Leadership and a Certificate of Advanced Study from the University of Illinois Springfield. Her passion for learning and leadership has driven her to continually advocate for innovation in education and create a positive, inclusive environment for both students and staff.
When not focused on her educational work, Mary enjoys spending time with her daughters, extended family, friends, and connecting with her community. She strives to inspire others to keep working towards their goals, despite the challenges they may face along the way.
Are you excited to hear what stories our slate of speakers has to share? Join us on Friday, April 25 2025 at 6:00PM at Lincoln Square Theater for a one-night only experience like no other.
The contents, experiences, and opinions shared by the speakers in the show are their own and do not reflect the views of The She Said Project or Heart of Illinois Community Foundation.
The She Said Project upholds that every woman has a right to be heard.