- Founded
- 1968
About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. Special Olympics began in Illinois with the first games at Soldier Field in July 1968 thanks to the efforts of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her peers. There are now more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries. Special Olympics is financially sound with diverse revenue streams, a thorough annual budget process and increasing organizational revenue streams. Special Olympics Illinois does not charge athletes or their families to participate in the program. OUR MISSION Provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. OUR VISION Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) will be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. ATHLETE OATH “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Leadership at Special Olympics Illinois
The team at the top of the org chart.
Peter Beale-Delvecchio
President & CEO
18 reports
Lora Schoenholtz
Director Of Marketing & Communications
2 reports
Cindy Villafuerte
Chief Financial & Diversity Officer
4 reports
Dan P Conley
Senior Director - Strategic Planning
2 reports
Carolyn Cronin
Director - Coach & Health Services
11 reports
Taylor Combs
Director Of Health And Wellness
Bree Bogucki
Global Messenger
Matt Johnson
Senior Director Of Development
1 report
Amanda Spies
Senior Director Of Development
MacKenzie McFeron
Manager, Sports - Region K
Katie McFadden
Sports Manager Region D
Ryan Murray
Event Projects Assistant
Lynde Pavich
Director, Region H
Jackie Mendoza
Region I Director Of Sports
Bridget Byville
Chief Development Officer
5 reports
Michelle Mayer
Senior Director - Marketing & Communications
Katelin Zandi
Senior Director- Volunteer & Community Engagement
Debbie Kelly
Senior Director Of the event management and quality assurance
Kevin Mullen
Director of Region F
1 report
Steve Whitlatch
Director-Special Olympics Illinois Region J