Bio’s of Leadership in the Continuum
of Care Team
Our Continuum of Care Program is led by an experienced, multidisciplinary leadership team with deep expertise in child welfare, transitional living, and workforce development. Led by Dr. Leonard Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of EMAGES and member of the Governor’s Sub-Committee on Youth Homelessness, alongside Maria Talis, Vice President of Workforce Development and former senior leader with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Jill D. Crawford, MPA, Director of Programs & Social Services Leader, the team integrates trauma-informed care, housing stability, clinical oversight, and employer-driven workforce pathways to help young people—especially those exiting foster care—achieve lasting independence and self-sufficiency.
Dr. Leonard Johnson
Dr. Leonard Johnson is a seasoned leader in child welfare, juvenile justice, and restorative justice, with extensive experience across adoption services, specialized foster care, and therapeutic programming for youth and adults. He has provided clinical, administrative, and systems-level leadership throughout the continuum of care.
Dr. Johnson currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of EMAGES and is a member of the Governor’s Sub-Committee on Youth Homelessness. He previously served as Interim Executive Director and Chief Program Director for the National Youth Advocate Program, reflecting his national impact in youth advocacy and human services.
Maria Talis
Maria Talis serves as Vice President of Workforce Development and is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development and youth services, with nearly 30 years of experience designing and managing state-funded workforce initiatives for youth, young adults, and vulnerable populations. She retired from the Illinois Department of Employment Security after 27 years of public service, most notably at Chicago’s Pilsen Workforce Center, one of the city’s largest workforce hubs.
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Maria specializes in transition-age youth workforce development, serving young people aging out of foster care, justice-impacted youth, homeless young adults, and disconnected youth. Her integrated approach combines housing stability, trauma-informed supports, workforce training, and direct employer placement to ensure sustainable, long-term employment outcomes.​
​In her current role with the Transitional Living Program, Maria is building a comprehensive workforce ecosystem supporting youth exiting foster care, including in-facility training partnerships, apprenticeship pathways, and employer-driven career placement. Her leadership ensures workforce development is fully integrated into the transitional living model, promoting independence, stability, and long-term self-sufficiency.
Jill D. Crawford, MPA
Jill D. Crawford, MPA serves as Director of Programs & Social Services Leader and is a seasoned human services professional with over a decade of experience strengthening programs that serve youth, families, and communities across the Chicagoland region. Her background spans clinical supervision, substance use treatment, child welfare, workforce development, & nonprofit program management, grounded in ethical practice and measurable outcomes.
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Throughout her career, Jill has held leadership roles across foster care, residential treatment, transitional living, and workforce development programs, overseeing multimillion-dollar initiatives and maintaining a 100% audit success rate. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Roosevelt University and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Walden University. Jill is driven by a commitment to ethical leadership, staff development, and building sustainable programs that deliver meaningful impact.