MACOMB, IL – Suzan Nash, a longtime Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC) employee, was recently honored at a Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA) conference in Springfield, IL, and inducted into the Illinois Community Hall of Fame.
According to a release issued by WIRC, Nash has worked at WIRC for over 40 years in several departments, quickly rising to the role of Executive Director. During her tenure, she has created and implemented programs that have improved the lives of people with lower incomes.
“Suzan built unique partnerships and demonstrated the power of blending individual services to help households with community improvements to change neighborhoods,” said Dalitso Sulamoyo, IACAA Chairperson, during the awards presentation. “From comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault services, to housing rehab, to public water projects, Suzan provided leadership to improve lives in western Illinois.”
Nash started her career at WIRC in the Community Development Department as an Intern in 1978, and went on to quickly climb the ranks, becoming the Executive Director of WIRC while still only in her late twenties. Under Nash, the WIRC implemented many programs including Victim Services and Project Santa, in addition to establishing WIRC as a Community Action Agency in 1982.
In 2017, Nash retired from WIRC, but she briefly returned in 2020 to serve as Interim Executive Director during the pandemic, and then led the Victim Services department for part of 2021, both during employment transitions. Nash is currently enjoying her retirement with her husband, Tim Howe, but remains active in the community with memberships in the Morning Rotary, Macomb Women’s Club, in addition to other service-minded organizations and serving on the board of the Good Food Collaborative.
“Suzan is a trailblazer, and I am thankful I had the opportunity to work with her,” said Jamie Roth, Community Services & Public Relations Director at WIRC. “She was, and is, a great leader who can have a vision of something and then make it happen. She made a great impact on many of us as employees and in the community.”
Roger Pavey, IACAA President and CEO, and former WIRC Executive Director, nominated Nash for the Illinois Community Action Hall of Fame. Pavey said, “Suzan has affected the lives of every citizen in western Illinois. Her work on public works and community projects extends to everyone. She also focused attention on those most in need, making the area more equitable and just.”
Rose Elam worked for Nash at WIRC for over 40 years. “I was proud to be a WIRC employee, and much of that is due to Suzan’s leadership style,” said Elam. “She was fair, firm, patient, intelligent, understanding, gave staff opportunities to grow, a good listener and teacher of skills, had a good sense of humor, kept confidences, and led by example. She was the best employer I ever worked for. She has always given credit to her staff for agency achievements. Suzan is most deserving of this recognition.”
