Staff

Laura Ciresi Starr is an accomplished nonprofit executive with 25 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives at the intersection of development, community engagement, communication strategy, and organizational leadership. A proven relationship builder and advocate, she has dedicated more than a decade to advancing equitable health care access within Chicago’s free and charitable clinic sector, strengthening visibility and influence among government agencies, community organizations, philanthropic partners, and the media.

Before joining the IAFCC staff, Laura spent 12 years at CommunityHealth, one of the nation’s largest free health centers. She was an active participant in IAFCC’s work to secure state funding for clinics and served on IAFCC’s Strategic Planning Committee, Conference Planning Committee, and Free Clinics Week/Month Committee.

At CommunityHealth, Laura led and resourced the organization by stewarding relationships with foundation and corporate funders, individual donors, elected officials, and community partner organizations. She drove revenue and outreach strategies and led numerous initiatives, including an organizational rebrand, DEI Council, Community Health Worker program, and migrant crisis response efforts. A dynamic communicator and spokesperson, Laura has presented at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics annual conference and spent 10 years designing and leading an annual thought leadership and networking event series focused on expanding health care access for all Chicagoans. In 2019, CommunityHealth staff voted to honor her with their Innovation/Outstanding Achievement Award.

Laura’s earlier career includes senior development roles with Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, as well as a background in consulting with The Alford Group. She has held extensive volunteer leadership roles with the Theatre of Western Springs and Infamous Commonwealth Theatre.

Laura received a BFA from Millikin University and completed executive leadership training at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management through the Allstate Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program.

Since graduating from Marquette University in 2020, Ariana has dedicated her career thus far to the Free and Charitable Clinics Sector. Starting with WAFCC, Ariana worked as a Capacity Building AmeriCorps VISTA Member at Open Arms Free Clinic in Elkhorn, WI before moving back to her hometown in 2021 in order to bring her learning to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.

Ariana’s experience at the clinic in WI motivated her desire to improve the system for clinics at the association level and she has taken this experience with her through all projects at IAFCC. After a year of service with IAFCC as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, managing with IAFCC VISTA Program, Ariana was brought on as Operations Manager at IAFCC. Now entering her third year as Operations Manager at IAFCC, Ariana has grown with IAFCC and has been essential in carrying out the mission, vision, and goals of the 5-year strategic plan.

Beyond the day-to-day operations, Ariana is responsible for managing association events like the Annual Conference, Advocacy Days, and Free and Charitable Clinics Month. Ariana continues to be committed to using data-driven insights to communicate the impact of IAFCC’s work both internally and externally, ensuring that the collective efforts of free and charitable clinics are recognized and amplified.

Naomi Aklilu is the Member Engagement Manager at the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC), where she leads efforts in membership services, recruitment, and retention, while ensuring data integrity and comprehensive reporting. Her role is integral to supporting free and charitable clinics throughout Illinois by providing technical assistance, strategic leadership, and innovative solutions that improve clinic operations and expand access to healthcare, all through a lens of health equity.

Prior to her current position, Naomi worked as a Youth Specialist at Heart Haven Outreach (H2O), where she mentored middle and high school students, facilitated support groups, and managed social media accounts to increase program engagement. Her earlier experience as a Living Coach at Trinity Services Inc. involved working closely with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, supporting them in achieving personal independence and emotional well-being.

Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Social Service Professions from Saint Xavier University, where she graduated Cum Laude. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to health equity, nonprofit management, and fostering community partnerships, making her an asset to the nonprofit healthcare sector.