Our Staff
Leadership
Becca Obuchowski
Executive Director
Email: becca@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
15+ Years working in various positions supporting people with I/DD including case management, day program, customized employment, social skills coaching, and K-12 education
Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and German Language and Literature from Beloit College, Wisconsin
Masters in Education from UIUC in Special Education
What gets you excited about your job?
I believe that all people should have the opportunity to live a good life and that our community has all the tools to make that possible for everyone. Unfortunately, folks with disabilities often get overlooked when we think about community and the systems that support it. At Community Choices I get to find ways to change that! I also get the opportunity to learn from our members, their families, and our staff – some of the most interesting, kindest, and creative people anyone would have the pleasure to know.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I love to sew, garden, bake, and spend time with my friends and family camping and traveling.
What is one interesting fact about you?
When I was a kid my mom owned a used clothing store, so when I played dress up it was with real wedding and prom dresses. This is probably one of the reasons I love to sew my own clothes!
Hannah Sheets
Associate Director
Email: hannah@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
- 20+ years working in various positions supporting people with I/DD
- Master’s Degree in Leisure Studies with an Emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from The University of Iowa
What gets you excited about your job?
Being able to facilitate opportunities where people with disabilities have influence and valued leadership roles in our community.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, running and being active, reading, getting crafty, and watching tv with my cat.
What is one interesting fact about you?
My favorite food is frosting.
Connect
Jon Rutter
Social Coach/Employment Specialist
Email: jon@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: He/Him
Experience/Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- 15+ years of experience in various disability service positions
What gets you excited about your job?
I love when someone I’m working with goes a little bit outside of their comfort zone to try something new or different and ends up with a new interest or hobby.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I love spending time with my wife and our two pets, Toby and Pepita. I am also an avid fan of hot sauce and professional wrestling (ask me about my lucha mask collection!)
What is one interesting fact about you?
I once ate 11 full racks of ribs in one sitting at an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant.
Employment
Ashley Withers
Lead Employment Specialist
Email: ashley@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Working in disability services since 2011, and have been with Community Choices since 2014
What gets you excited about your job?
When people find jobs that they really enjoy
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 daughters. I like to go camping, hiking, travel, going to zoos and museums, and watching nature documentaries. I’m also a mentor at Urbana Middle School
What is one interesting fact about you?
I can play the trumpet
Tanja R. Hodges
Employment Specialist
Email: tanja@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
- BA, MA, & CAS from University of Illinois
- 15+ years in social services
- Customized Employment Certification from ACRE
What gets you excited about your job?
Helping people see that they have abilities and a right to pursue their goals. I just like assisting in the discovery of a variety of paths for fulfilling dreams
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I adore music, so I sing in a couple of choirs, play alto sax in a horn band, ballroom dance when there isn’t a global pandemic, and I see shows at Krannert Center whenever I get a chance. I also love to read ALL the books; therefore, the library is my jam
What is one interesting fact about you?
I was trained in floral design back in grad school. Thirty-six weeks of instruction makes it possible to create fun arrangements
Jenny Steele
Employment Specialist
Email: jenny@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Chemistry from Illinois State University
- Former Life Skills and STEP program TA at Urbana HIgh School
- Former TA at the Blackhawk Area Education Center
What gets you excited about your job?
Assisting our member’s find long term employment that fits their interests, makes them feel accomplished and independent in a position that gets them excited about the job!
What are some of your interests outside of work?
Painting, being outdoors, animals, reading
What is one interesting fact about you?
I started painting during the sheltered inn period of COVID. I had never painted anything before but I really enjoyed it. Now I practically paint everyday, mostly abstract stuff. Currently, I am practicing painting portraits of people, my goal is to get good at it and then paint my nephew, Elliott.
Community Support
John Cahill
Lead Community Support Specialist
Email: john@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: He/Him
Experience/Education:
Studied Art Education at the University of Southern Indiana
Certified in early childhood education
15+ years working in various positions supporting people with I/DD
What gets you excited about your job?
I enjoy helping people reach their goals of independence. I look forward to the day I offer help, and the person tells me they “got this” and don’t need me to join them. I always tell them my goal is to work myself out of a job. I want to get everyone to the point where they don’t need me anymore.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I do enjoy painting, but rarely have time. I spend a lot of hours working on my 117-year-old home. Working on small and large improvements here and there. During the school year my son Jackson is very involved in sports. He plays football, basketball, and competes in track and field events. I’m an assistant coach for his football team. My life can be very chaotic, and I wouldn’t survive without my calendars.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I am an exhibit judge at the Champaign County Fair
Ryan Thomson
Community Life Coordinator
Email: ryan@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: He/Him
Experience/Education:
- Bachelors in Psychology from UIUC
- 2 years in mental health (Mental Health Center of Champaign County)
- 5 years as a DSP/Program Writer at DSC
- 9+ years at Community Choices as Community Life Coordinator/Community Support Specialist
What gets you excited about your job?
The most exciting thing about my job is the variety and difference of each of my work days. At the beginning of the day, I never really know what to expect, so it makes each new day kind of like an adventure. It’s impossible to become bored if you can never predict what will happen next!
What are some of your interests outside of work?
Too many to list- I love to travel, cook, go to museums, make art (wood and stone carving, painting, sketching), read, write, and listen to and play music. Mostly, though, I like spending quiet time with my wife, Sara, and two awesome kiddos, Aidan and Annabelle.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I spend one afternoon a week playing in a band with some old friends from High School. Hello Champaign Urbana! Are you ready to rock? lol
Vantrell Ricks
Community Support Specialist
Email: van@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: He/Him
Experience/Education:
Bachelor’s in sciences – Major: Family and Consumer Sciences;
Concentration: Hospitality AdministrationAssociate in Applied Sciences – Construction and Design Management
17 years and counting working with I/DD individuals
What gets you excited about your job?
Being able to provide a resource for individuals with disabilities who may not have had the same opportunities as those without disabilities. Knowing that I play a vital role in someone else’s life.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
Outside of work I love to travel, love to discover new places, learn new things about other cultures and love to eat food that each place is known for.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I have had grey hair since I was 15
Mariah Stewart
Community Support Specialist
Email: mariah@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/Her
Experience/Education:
Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation from Southern Illinois University
5+ years working as a caregiver, life skills trainer, DSP, and home care worker
3+ years working in special education
What gets you excited about your job?
I enjoy helping people reach their dream goal. I love working with people to gain the skills and strength they desire and finding different resources for them to utilize.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends. I love shopping
What is one interesting fact about you?
I love to workout at the gym and take outdoor walks
transportation
Marella McMurray
Transportation Coordinator
Email: marella@communitychoicesinc.org
Pronouns: She/her
Experience/Education:
- 15 years working in community social services including supporting people with I/DD, supporting individuals with physical disabilities, working with survivors of domestic violence and other intersectional identities. I also have experience in program management and development, staff management, human resources, training development and delivery, grant writing, and non-profit budget and finance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Community Management
What gets you excited about your job?
I love helping others to find the path in their lives that leads them to the freedom, independence, and happiness they truly desire. I love considering how a person can find and receive accommodations to support them in their path to independence.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I love to spend time with my family. I love being a mom to 2 energetic and creative little boys. I enjoy being outdoors in nature and being active in any way, walking my dog, and cooking and baking.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I have 2 kids, both boys 17 months apart. When they were born I decided to start making my own skin care products for them. This has turned into a big hobby of mine and I make creams and lotion and other skin care products safe for all ages.
