Staff
Mary Ann Dyar is the Program Director for the Adult Redeploy Illinois program created by the Crime Reduction Act of 2009 (P.A. 96-0761). As Program Director, Mary Ann is responsible for coordinating the disbursement of grants to local jurisdictions to expand alternatives to incarceration; assisting with the formulation of policies and procedures for the program; monitoring and conducting technical assistance for grantees; managing communication, outreach and reporting strategies for the program; and staffing the Adult Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board.
Prior to her work at the state level, Mary Ann was Program Manager with the Justice/Violence Initiative of Chicago Metropolis 2020, a regional planning not-for-profit organization, working on policy issues related to childhood exposure to trauma and violence, juvenile justice, prisoner reentry, criminal law and sentencing reform. Mary Ann holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School, and undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Political Science from Indiana University-Bloomington. She served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, East Africa (1991-1993).
Caitlyn Rothenberg is the Policy and Project Coordinator for Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI). Prior to joining the staff of ARI, Caitlyn served as the Director for High School Equivalency at the Illinois Community College Board. As the Director for High School Equivalency, Caitlyn coordinated the high school equivalency testing program and Alternative Methods of Credentialing program for the State of Illinois and worked closely with the Adult Education and Literacy Division to support the students in nearly 80 adult education programs across the state. Caitlyn holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Cortisa ("Tisa") Evans graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in public health. With the passion and desire to help others, she pursued her career as a Customer Service Advocate for over nine years with the largest for-profit healthcare company. Her hard work and dedication of improving health outcomes is a testament of her commitment and strength. Cortisa joined the ARI team in November of 2019. She readily performed exceptional services to ARI grantees.
Stacey Woods is the Program Manager for the Adult Redeploy Illinois program. As Program Manager, Stacey is responsible for implementing policies and procedures for the program, posting Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), and overseeing interagency agreements. Before joining the ARI program, Stacey was the Grant Monitor for ICJIA’s Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (CB-VIP).
Before her work at the state level, Stacey served as the Financial Capability Manager with the North Lawndale Employment Network, a not-for-profit organization serving under- and unemployed North Lawndale residents, including citizens returning from incarceration. As the Financial Capability Manager, Stacey oversaw financial literacy programming and worked on policy issues relating to financial literacy and re-entry. Stacey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Governors State University. Stacey served two years as a Local Initiative Supports Corporation Americorps volunteer (2009-2011).