Laurel Huston | Germantown Hills, IL

Laurel Huston pours her heart into every role she holds. Her diverse career and volunteer work span community service, education and, her greatest passion, addiction recovery. For the past four years, Laurel has worked as a District Supervisor in the Corrections Transition Program, overseeing programs that support men, women and mothers of infants as they reenter their communities after incarceration. Laurel believes “when we are able to teach resiliency, provide hope and create opportunities for real recovery, that is where we will be able to build stronger communities, together.”

Laurel’s commitment to building stronger communities is clear. She serves on several community councils, including the Birth to 5 Family Council, Illinois Partners for Human Service Frontline Workforce Roundtable, Home for All Committee and as a Committee Co-Chair for Hopscotch with the Peoria Park District. Amanda Maddalozzo from TASC admires Laurel’s compassionate, hands-on approach to leadership. “She isn't afraid to address a pain point or a gap in care and she is eager to brainstorm and advocate for the solution. Her holistic approach to leadership creates ripples of impact felt across every inch of the community.”

As a child, Laurel’s many interests led her to consider careers in veterinary science, marine biology, documentary film making and eventually to the social services field, where she found her true calling. Looking back, she would encourage her 20-year-old self to “try it all. Every good opportunity that you see, follow to see where it goes, regardless of how you think it'll end.”

Laurel’s family also plays a huge role in her interests and volunteer service. “My father, Brian ‘Fox’ Ellis, is a professional storyteller, writer and historian. My mother, Kim Thrush, is a lifelong social worker. Obviously, their guidance and spirit have led me to a lot of my interests and shaped my perspective and self-confidence into the leader that I am today.” Some of Laurel’s volunteer work spans family generations. She continues the Historic Springdale Cemetery Tours that her father started and she volunteers with the Sun Foundation’s Arts and Science in the Woods, teaching alongside her father while her daughter, Daphne, is a camper.

Laurel is also grateful for her husband, Tony, who “supports all of the crazy ideas that I have.” Together they raise their three children, Daphne, Rory and Elsa, and care for their two pet bunnies and “way too many dogs!”

When she finds free time, Laurel enjoys horseback riding, family travel and watching her children discover their own passions. “One of my favorite hangout spots is Wildlife Prairie Park. I love spending the afternoon there with my family, walking the trails, seeing the animals and going to the festive events they hold there like Wildlife Scary Park or their annual Easter Brunch.”