Board of Directors

Jennifer Cacciapaglia

As Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention for the City of Rockford, Jennifer Cacciapaglia oversees the development and implementation of data driven, inclusive strategies to affect system’s level, sustainable change and address root causes of domestic, sexual and community violence. Cacciapaglia has spent her entire career focusing on community work and engagement. After starting her career prosecuting domestic violence related cases at the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1998, she went on to become a City Attorney and build systemic collaborations to address disorderly and violent crime in the city. In 2013, she co-founded the Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (RAASE), a direct service and advocacy agency working to end the demand for sexually exploited individuals through preventative measures, survivor protection, accountability of violators and community engagement. She also served as the education coordinator and a trained facilitator for The Amanda Reed Foundation, created to educate young people about the dangers of unhealthy behaviors in relationships which can escalate into lethal violence. Cacciapaglia has been invited to present at both statewide and national level events about the innovative strategies that are being developed and launched through her Office, as well as developing and deploying data driven trainings for tele-communications professionals, law enforcement, medical students, medical staff, community advocacy and other audiences. She Chairs the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention Task force, co-chairs the Strangulation Task force, sits on the State of Illinois Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Dean’s Action Council, and The Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force. Cacciapaglia received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University School of Law in 1998.

Tom McNamara

Mayor Tom McNamara was sworn-in as the 41st mayor of Rockford on May 1, 2017. Prior to becoming Mayor, Tom served the community as 3rd Ward Alderman, representing constituents on Rockford’s east and west sides, as well as downtown. As Alderman, Tom introduced and sponsored key legislation to invest in neighborhoods, make our community safer, and protect taxpayer dollars. As Mayor, Tom focuses on developing and implementing plans to reduce crime, increase police technology and training, strengthen neighborhoods and schools, and encourage economic development. He advocates for lower tax rates and appoints members to taxing bodies who are fiscally responsible and share a likeminded responsibility to use taxpayer funding efficiently and effectively. Tom serves on many boards across the community, including the Alignment Rockford Governing Board, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Illinois Community Revitalization Task Force, Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors, JB Pritzker’s Budget and Innovation Team, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board of Directors, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Workforce Connection Board.

Nancy Kaney

Nancy Kaney is a community advocate and organizer who is one of the co-founding members of Club Blue Rockford, an organization formed in 2012 to promote the safety, health and well-being of children in need in Winnebago County. She helped raise over 2 million dollars, all used locally to serve the region’s most vulnerable children. She has worked closely with local child advocacy organizations to raise awareness of critical issues facing our community and secure supplies and funds since 2012. Nancy has been a professional airline pilot for 25 years and currently flies internationally for a major US airline. She earned her BS in Aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990.

Rosemary Collins

Judge Rosemary Collins served as Presiding Judge of the Family Division and the Domestic Violence Division of the 17th Circuit Court, State of Il., before recently retiring after almost 30 years on the bench. During her tenure, she established one of the first courthouse located domestic violence assistance offices and founded Children’s Safe Harbor, a safe visitation and exchange facility that also provides free supervised visitation for domestic violence victims and their families. She implemented a Dedicated Coordinated Domestic Violence Court, combining both civil and criminal courts, that was recognized by the Dept. of Justice for its innovative practices and designated as a national Mentor Court. She also established a Small Claims Mediation Project that provides free trained mediators to self-represented litigants. She is part of a team that provides immigration law training to state court judges across the country, is working on establishing a Family Justice Center in her community, and is Chair of the 17th Circuit Court Coordinating Council.

John Schuster

BLURB

Patti Tumilowicz

Patti Tumilowicz brings decades of leadership, service, and community engagement to the Family Peace Center board. With a background in business administration from Rockford College and over 40 years as Administrator at Dental Dimensions, Ltd., Patti has managed operations spanning payroll, pensions, marketing, and staff benefits. Her heart for service is evident in her extensive volunteer work—from leadership roles with the Alliance to the Illinois State Dental Society to involvement with Cathedral of St. Peter, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts. A proud wife and mother of two Eagle Scouts, Patti views each new opportunity as a chance to give back and make a meaningful difference in others' lives.