Meet Our Team

Chris Setti is the CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, a public-private organization that helps drive economic success in a five county region of Central Illinois. Chris joined the EDC in 2018 after a 12 year career with the City of Peoria where he served in a variety of roles including Director of Economic Development and Assistant City Manager. Prior to his work with the city, Chris spent 10 years working in social services in Chicago, Denver and Peoria. Chris has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado-Denver. Chris grew up in Southern California but has called Peoria his home since 2003.

Sally Hanley is the VP of Programs for the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and has held numerous positions with the organization for over 20 years. In her current role, she works with existing intra/interstate businesses to help them stay and grow in the region. She is renowned for expertise in researching and securing public and private economic and community development resources and funding to assist businesses and municipalities.Ms. Hanley’s role at the the Greater Peoria EDC also involves administering federal and state programs including Foreign-Trade Zone #114, DoD Defense Industry Resiliency, EDA Economic Development District, CDBG grant programs, and multiple IL Enterprise Zones.

Jeffrey Inman is the Director of Workforce Solutions for the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, a public-private organization that helps drive economic success in a five-county region of Central Illinois. Jeffrey joined the EDC after spending over a decade working in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, where he focused on helping organizations drive diversity and embed inclusion in their talent attraction efforts. He actively supports career development for job seekers by coaching them on career paths, as well as helping with resumes and interview practice. He is passionate about supporting programs to help students explore career possibilities and helping others find rewarding careers that can have a positive impact on their lives and livelihoods. Through his work at GPEDC, Jeffrey serves as the Director of the Regional Workforce Alliance, a regional collaboration to drive a capable, resilient workforce, and leads Talent Attraction efforts in support of the Choose Greater Peoria initiative. Jeffrey has an associate's degree from ICC, an undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management from Illinois State University, and earned his MBA from the Wharton School along with a MsEng in Computer & Information Systems from the University of Pennsylvania. Jeffrey is proud to be a lifelong resident of Greater Peoria.

Kathleen Brown joined the Greater Peoria EDC Team as its Director of Rural Outreach and Development in December 2021. Prior to joining the Greater Peoria EDC, Kathie served as a Community and Economic Development Specialist with the University of Illinois Extension. Her extensive community development work has largely revolved around blending theory and practice as she engages community leaders, businesses, and local governments in strategic planning, asset mapping, survey design and implementation. All this is focused on stakeholder-defined outcomes and building community.

Melissa joined the the Greater Peoria EDC as the Office Manager in November of 2014. She takes care of the day-to-day operations and handles the financial responsibilities for the organization. Prior to that, she served for three years as a loan assistant/teller for Morton Community Bank’s Washburn branch. Melissa has an Associates Degree in accounting from Joliet Junior College.

Dick is a lifelong resident of Central Illinois and an active participant in the Peoria area business community for over 40 years. He joined the Greater Peoria EDC as Director of the Greater Peoria Manufacturing Network in 2022 following his previous career as President / CEO of Peoria Production Solutions, a local not for profit organization. Dick is committed to bringing and keeping business in the Greater Peoria area. Advancing opportunities for businesses in the Greater Peoria area is a top priority with him. He is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in vocational education. Dick and his wife Nena live in Morton.

David is originally from Ghana, West Africa and has a Bachelor's degree in Communications Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism. David has worked primarily in development and social enterprise sectors with multiple USAID-funded organizations. David has over 8 years experience in Public Relations, Branding, Programmatic Communications and Marketing for development organizations. Prior to relocating to the United States, David served as the Communications Specialist for the USAID-funded West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change Program, covering 15 West African countries. David is proud to call the Greater Peoria area his new home and is glad to have the opportunity to serve the region.

Sara Kupperschmid is deeply committed to fostering community growth and well-being. Her dedication is evident in her extensive work aiding individuals, particularly parents and guardians, in securing or retaining jobs and pursuing educational opportunities. Having devoted years to aiding the most vulnerable in our communities, Sara is now channeling her enthusiasm into bridging connections between students and training programs and aligning employers with qualified workers. This new focus aims to bolster the workforce strength throughout the Greater Peoria region. Originally hailing from Northern Illinois, Sara was drawn to Greater Peoria by the myriad of professional and personal growth opportunities. Now a part of our community, she is eager to contribute to the region's overall development.

Courtney Moore is an accomplished entrepreneur with a passion for community, maintaining a focus on underserved children. Alongside her professional pursuits, Courtney is a talented vocalist, artist, and writer, having achieved notable recognition in these creative fields. She is currently working on writing and illustrating her own series of children's books. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her craft have enabled her to successfully navigate various industries to establish herself as a respected professional. Courtney's commitment to community engagement is evident through her active involvement in local organizations and her drive to make a positive impact on society. With her multifaceted skill set and unwavering determination, Courtney continues to inspire and empower others through her entrepreneurial endeavors and creative pursuits.

Kirsten Montgomery, originally from Morrisonville, Illinois, holds a Master’s Degree in Public History from the University of Illinois in Springfield. With over 6 years of experience, she has worked with nonprofit and governmental organizations, including Smithsonian-affiliated Plimoth Patuxet and Abraham Lincoln sites. Her expertise lies in reinterpreting data to enhance storytelling and community connections. Kirsten has held research and leadership roles, even with animal conservation work. In 2023, she and her husband relocated to the Greater Peoria area, where she is excited to contribute her skills and passion for public history to serve the community.

Dorsey is a fellow working with GPEDC through the Economic Recovery Corps. She will work in partnership with GPEDC and Lincoln Economic Advancement and Development (LEAD) on a business outreach program for 30 months in the Greater Peoria Region. Dorsey’s professional experience spans sectors within the nonprofit, legal and healthcare tech space where she worked across fields in fundraising, project management and recruiting. While working at the forefront of communities within the nonprofit and corporate sector to align internal stakeholders on organizational goals, source diverse talent and secure funding she honed her expertise in relationship building and communications. She recently earned a MSc with distinction in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. This degree builds on her B.A in Urban Studies from Barnard College and bridges her professional experience with her longtime passion for empowering communities and promoting social and economic inclusion. Working as a Economic Recovery Corps Fellow, she hopes to utilize her varied skill set to support businesses throughout the wider Peoria region and drive interregional success. Dorsey was born and raised in Chicago, and has called New York and London home over the past 11 years. She is excited to be back in her home state and discover all the charm of her new city, Peoria.