Governors
ABBY WALSH
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SARAH RIDDELL
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Katie Justak
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VASAVI CHAKKA
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Laura Kotelman
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Jillian Bernas
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JO CAULKINS
As a member of The Lincoln Series Board of Governors, Jo Caulkins welcomes the opportunity to share her enthusiasm and passion for politics with the future leaders of Illinois. She became active in politics while attending Eastern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor’s of science in Early Childhood Education. Later, she also earned a certification in Community Arts Management from Sangamon State University.
Overtime Jo has worked on national, state and local campaigns, but it’s her passion for her community that helped her develop an extensive network due to her involvement in local causes and organizations. She was active as a Rotarian, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and Limitless Ambassador. She has served as a board member of the following organizations: Macon County Republican Women, Decatur Area Arts Council, Gallery 510, Obesity Prevention Coalition, Keep Macon County Beautiful, Keep IL Beautiful, Beautify Decatur Coalition, The Garden Club of Decatur, and the American Association of University Women. She continues her involvement by volunteering at the Salvation Army, Macon County Animal Shelter and Decatur Day Care Center.
She received the following honors for her dedication to her community: YWCA Woman of Excellence Community & Social Service Award, Outstanding Neighborhood Achievement from the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations, Herald & Review Newspaper “40 over 40” Award, and the Illinois PTA Golden Apple Award.
Jo enjoyed a 20-year career in education, spanning pre-k through college. Simultaneously, she established and managed three highly successful retail stores. Upon retirement from retail, Jo worked part-time for the next 10 years in diverse and rewarding fields as the Decatur Area Arts Council Special Projects Coordinator, an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at Millikin University, University of Illinois Extension in Economic Development, and executive director of the Macon County Health Foundation.
She resides in Decatur with her husband of 48 years, Illinois State Representative Dan Caulkins and their cats, Puss’n Boots.
Overtime Jo has worked on national, state and local campaigns, but it’s her passion for her community that helped her develop an extensive network due to her involvement in local causes and organizations. She was active as a Rotarian, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and Limitless Ambassador. She has served as a board member of the following organizations: Macon County Republican Women, Decatur Area Arts Council, Gallery 510, Obesity Prevention Coalition, Keep Macon County Beautiful, Keep IL Beautiful, Beautify Decatur Coalition, The Garden Club of Decatur, and the American Association of University Women. She continues her involvement by volunteering at the Salvation Army, Macon County Animal Shelter and Decatur Day Care Center.
She received the following honors for her dedication to her community: YWCA Woman of Excellence Community & Social Service Award, Outstanding Neighborhood Achievement from the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations, Herald & Review Newspaper “40 over 40” Award, and the Illinois PTA Golden Apple Award.
Jo enjoyed a 20-year career in education, spanning pre-k through college. Simultaneously, she established and managed three highly successful retail stores. Upon retirement from retail, Jo worked part-time for the next 10 years in diverse and rewarding fields as the Decatur Area Arts Council Special Projects Coordinator, an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at Millikin University, University of Illinois Extension in Economic Development, and executive director of the Macon County Health Foundation.
She resides in Decatur with her husband of 48 years, Illinois State Representative Dan Caulkins and their cats, Puss’n Boots.