100 Women Planning Team

I am Marie Eledge and I founded 100 Women for Good Bloomington-Normal in 2020 after learning about a similar organization in Dallas, TX.  I have lived here for 23+ years and love the servant spirit and energy of Bloomington-Normal.  I am humbled by the amazing group of women in this organization!  I started 100 Women for Good because I believe that being a part of and giving back to your local community is what makes us collectively stronger.  I retired from State Farm and I run my own consulting and coaching business,  (E)3-nspire Coaching, LLC.  

Anita's bio coming soon!

Tracy Warne has been a member of the Mclean County community for 15 plus years, thankful to call Bloomington-Normal her home. She is a loyal Redbird having graduated from Illinois State University with her Bachelors degree and MBA. Tracy and her husband CJ take great joy in raising two energetic girls, Savannah & Sophia. She enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling(mostly to visit family in Texas), and finding avenues to stay active. 

My name is Toria McFadden and I have been at State Farm for almost 33 years. I have two young adult professional daughters and a four-legged Yorkie, Maxine, who rules the roost! I joined 100 Women for Good for B-N because giving back fills my cup and I am a co-chair of the Non-Profit Committee.

Chris Lasky has been a resident of Bloomington-Normal for the last 10 years.  Chris’s 30-year State Farm career has spanned numerous operations leadership roles and taken she and her husband, Phil across the country from Michigan to Bloomington, to Nebraska, then California, and back to Bloomington for a second time.  

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and an MBA from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  She grew up showing Morgan horses and is still active in her family’s horse farm in Marshall, Michigan.  She enjoys yoga, renovating old houses and rooting for her alma mater – Go Blue!

She believes the collective positive energy of a diverse group of people focused on a common vision is an extremely powerful force.  She is a Board Member of the ExtraOrdinary Women Project Bloomington/Normal and joined 100 Women for Good as a founding Core Team Member and co-chair of the Non-Profit Committee.  She is proud to be part of a group of amazing women dedicated to helping other women, children, and families in the community.  

Mendy Smith is currently the Regional Vice President for the Central Region of Children’s Home & Aid.  The Central Region services 3,500 children and families annually, with over 140 employees serving 16 counties.  She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor's degree in English and received her Master of Social Work at Illinois State University.  In addition to being a part of the 100 Women core planning team, Mendy also sits on the Illinois State University Social Work Advisory Board, Pub Club Rotary Club, and she is a member of the Illinois Home Visiting Task Force Executive Team. 

Nancy has been a resident of Bloomington-Normal for over 30 years and is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. She has two college-aged sons that keep her busy following their drum corps and volleyball adventures around the United States. Outside of work, Nancy spends time serving as a McLean County Master Gardener, competitive Olympic Weightlifter, photographer, spoiling her black cats, and enjoying the mountains of Grand Lake, CO. Nancy joined 100 Women for Good B-N with a desire to provide her time and talent to an organization that is positively impacting Bloomington-Normal in a much-needed way.

Kentrica is originally a southern girl; however, she has been a resident and active contributor to service within the Bloomington-Normal community for 25 years. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans and serves as a technology leader at her current organization. Kentrica also serves as one of seven members of the McLean County Unit 5 Board of Education where she advocates and governs policies that impact students, educators, and the community. Outside of those two roles, she loves to travel with her family, photography, indoor cycle and actively serve the community as part of Jack and Jill of America, Inc and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. Kentrica believes that it takes a village to uplift and invest in community and is ecstatic to add 100 Women for Good as a member of that village.

Amber's bio coming soon!

My name is Jami Head and I am a proud State Farm employee for almost 25 years.  Prior to State Farm, I worked in Public Accounting as well as being a High School Business Teacher and Coach. I was born and  raised in this community by parents that taught me that anything is possible with faith, hard work, and an appreciation for those around you. I am blessed to be married to an amazing man with two equally fantastic daughters.  I am passionate about 100 Women for Good as I feel obligated to give back to the community that has given me so much for over 50 years. 

Gayl earned a BME degree and taught in public schools in Arkansas and Texas before starting her career at State Farm.  She retired in 2018 with 34 years of service.

I am Linda Vincent.  I recently retired from State Farm.   I joined 100 Women in 2019 because I loved the simple format to make a direct difference locally.  In each meeting, I would see a small sample of the heartbreaking, unmet needs and the impact - always negative - it has. Then, I would get to meet these amazing people in our local non-profit agencies fighting to fill the needs.  My reason to join the membership committee of 100 WFG-BN is to continue growing our reach and strengthen our giving power.

Beth Ward serves on the 100 Women for Good Membership Subcommittee with the quest of growing our members to increase the impact in our community. Having grown up in Bloomington-Normal, Beth has a passion for making this community better and stronger. One of the reasons she initially joined 100 Women for Good was the chance to learn and contribute to nonprofits beyond those more well known. Beth married her high-school sweetheart, Stacey, and they have two daughters who are now Florida residents giving them good reasons to spend time in the sunshine state as well.

Tania's bio coming soon!