Katlyn Linsley is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst a Peoria Public Schools.  Before becoming a BCBA Katlyn taught in the public school system, as well the private, all-special education sector, and has been a BCBA in the clinical and home settings.  She has her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. Katlyn’s brother, who has autism, is the one who first got her interested in her passion of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Katlyn lives in Peoria with her husband and two kids. 

Brad Davis serves as the Board’s Vice President and has been an active member of CIAA since 2018.  While he enjoys serving individuals and families affected by autism at the Board level, he most enjoys getting out into the community, meeting people, and hearing their autism story.  Professionally, Brad has worked within the financial services industry since 2008 and has been in his current position as a financial advisor since 2013.  He lives in Germantown Hills with his wife and son, and in his spare time enjoys exercising, reading, cooking, and lamenting the most recent loss of his favorite sports teams with his friends over a craft beer (or two).

Lynda Sharp-Lower is a graduate of Illinois State University earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology in 1991 and her Master’s Degree in Human Services Counseling in 1997. She is also a 2007 graduate of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. She has been in the social service field for 25 years and has been employed by Easter Seals Central Illinois since 2012. Currently, Lynda is an Autism Services Specialist and coordinates the Easter Seals Autism Diagnostic Clinic. Lynda lives in Pekin with her spouse and has 3 children; 2 of which live at home.

Ashley Hamilton serves as the Secretary on the CIAA Board and has been an active member since 2021. Ashley has a strong passion for helping children and families within our special needs community to help advocate, guide, and counsel. Ashley’s son was diagnosed with Level 3 ASD in 2018 and has significantly benefited from the medical resources available within the area. Professionally, Ashley is a Supply Chain Engineer for Caterpillar and has been with the company for 16 years. Ashley lives in Morton with her son, and in her free time enjoys spending time with family and loved ones, conditioning her knowledge on Autism, serving as an Easterseals Ambassador with the rest of “Team Ethan”, and planning the next craft project for her and her son. Ashley is thankful to have found a group of people that share her passion with helping families and children with ASD to drive positive change for the future. She feels blessed to have such a strong circle of friends and family to lock hands with her to champion for her son and others with ASD.

Michelle Brecklin is a busy stay-at-home mom and voting member of CIAA. Michelle’s eldest son was diagnosed with autism in November 2017. She wants to support the cause by raising awareness, supporting other autism families, and encouraging kindness in Central Illinois. Michelle’s passion for the cause and strong community ties will make her a resource to CIAA. Michelle loves spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys the great outdoors (camping, fishing, hiking, etc.), shopping local, cooking/baking, being crafty, working out, coffee, and traveling. Michelle lives in Peoria with her husband Dave, their two boys, and two dogs. 

Jonathan’s passion for individuals with Autism and disabilities stemmed from growing up with family members who lived through times where there was a lack of appropriate services and support for them. Jonathan has a Masters in Social Work from Illinois State University and is currently a Licensed Social Worker. Professionally, he has 26 years of experience in social services in Central Illinois. Currently, Jonathan is a Program Director with Gateway Foundation for outpatient substance use and mental health services for locations in Peoria and Bloomington. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family, watching and coaching sports, grilling, and is a lover of coffee. He lives in the Peoria area with his wife and three children.

Matt serves as a voting board member and has been active with CIAA since April 2024.  He is enthusiastic about contributing to Peoria area initiatives that will improve our communities and is thankful for the opportunity to help CIAA.

Matt is a graduate of Bradley University earning a Bachelor and Master of Science in Accounting.  He has also achieved designations as a Certified Public Account, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Certified Student Loan Professional.  After serving ten years in the tax department for a Fortune 500 company, Matt shifted into a career in financial service and has been a financial advisor since 2019.  He resides in Peoria with his wife and two children.