Staff

As the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC), Melissa is grateful to the staff, board and clinics for the advancements the state association has made the last 7 years. With a robust strategic plan, IAFCC has increased resources for the clinics to include 3 years of state funding, totaling 21 million and over $400,000 in grants from statewide and national foundations.  

IAFCC continues to partner with state and national organizations to increase resources for the sector. For 6 years, IAFCC has been an intermediary site for the Americorps Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA)  program that provides needed support to increase clinic capacity. 

Melissa came to IAFCC from  The Night Ministry (TNM), a Chicago-based organization that offers housing, health care, and human connection to members of our local community struggling with poverty and homelessness. The Night Ministry’s Health Outreach Bus offers medical exams, treatment, and HIV testing, as well as conversation and community; Mrs. Maguire served as Vice President of Mission Fulfillment.

With a Masters in Community Health from Northern Illinois University and in Social Service Administration from Case Western Reserve University , Melissa truly believes in the impact of community and importance of developing resources and opportunities for all. 

In this current climate of uncertainty regarding healthcare access, Ms. Maguire’s combination of high-level strategic thinking paired with tangible, tactical implementation promises to propel the Association to even greater levels of engagement, capacity building and advocacy.

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.