Our Team
Gene Stephens
Executive Director
Gene Stephens, the newly appointed Executive Director of Open Door, brings nearly three decades of dedicated service and leadership to the agency. Gene began his journey at Open Door as a graduate school intern where he found his passion for service. Upon completing his graduate degree, Gene was offered a position as a QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional). Since then, Gene has steadily advanced to Program Coordinator, then Associate Director, before stepping into his current role. Widely regarded as Open Door’s “people person,” Gene is celebrated for his approachable nature, deep compassion, and ability to connect with individuals at every level of the organization.
A natural educator at heart, Gene is passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others to grow. His fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) has enriched communication and inclusion within the Open Door community, while his years of experience have shaped him into a thoughtful and inspiring mentor.
Beyond his professional commitments, Gene is an avid animal lover. His beloved dogs, Trixie and Bella, are frequent and welcome visitors to the office, adding warmth and joy to the workday. With a career rooted in service and a heart for people and animals alike, Gene continues to lead Open Door with vision, empathy, and unwavering dedication.
Alicia Nelson
Director of Programs
Upon graduating from college, Alicia began her career as a job coach, where she discovered her passion for working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She began at Open Door as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP), which strengthened her commitment to providing quality services for the individuals served. Alicia subsequently advanced to the role of Residential Program Coordinator, and ultimately, Director of Programs.
Alicia values family greatly and cherishes spending quality time together through activities such as cooking, playing card games, reading, or engaging with one of the family's three cats. Additionally, Alicia has established valuable relationships at Open Door, which she considers an extension of her family, further contributing to her professional growth and development.
Laurie Wisdom
Program Coordinator & Intake Specialist
Laurie loves spending time with her family and friends, whether it be a good conversation or working on a home improvement project. She truly enjoys exploring state parks hiking, biking, kayaking, or just simply relaxing in the tranquility and absorbing the beauty of nature. Laurie also enjoys cooking, especially trying new recipes, because she is never afraid to try something new.
What began as a career change quickly became a lifelong journey of personal growth and professional development for Laurie. She is forever grateful for meaningful and enduring relationships that have been made with her extended family at Open Door. She would not be the person she is today without them.
Terri Landsteiner
Community Day Services CoordinatorWith Open Door since 1991
For 34 years, Terri Landsteiner has been a dedicated and compassionate part of the Open Door Rehabilitation Center family. She began her journey in 1991 in the Production Department, where she worked directly with individuals served by Open Door—helping them assemble parts and develop valuable job skills. Her hard work and natural leadership led her to become Production Supervisor, a role in which she continued to inspire both staff and participants alike.
In 2021, Terri took on a new challenge by launching Open Door’s Community Integrated Employment (CIE) program. Through her guidance and commitment, the program has flourished over the past three years, opening doors for individuals to find meaningful work in their communities. Most recently, Terri was promoted to Community Day Services (CDS) Coordinator, where she now oversees a team dedicated to providing engaging and purposeful day services to those we support.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Terri’s heart is rooted in what she values most—family, faith, and friendship. She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, cherishing every opportunity to make lasting memories together. When she’s not with loved ones, Terri enjoys a quiet night at home watching her favorite TV shows and simply appreciating life’s simple blessings.
Terri’s warmth, dedication, and decades of service make her an irreplaceable part of the Open Door family.
Daniel Wehrli
Residential Program CoordinatorDaniel finds passion in trying. To be a better father/husband/son/brother/friend, to try something new, to try a new dad joke, a new hiking spot, his mind is always open to new ideas. Daniel is always searching for the beauty in every part of life; sifting for those silver linings is fundamental in his life.
Jessica Reyes
Residential Program Coordinator
Rebecca Hoelker
Chief Financial OfficerRebecca, who usually goes by “Beka”, has had a passion for individuals with disabilities since high school when she nannied for two different families with children on the autism spectrum. She is a certified therapeutic riding instructor and has had a variety of jobs as an activity aid and DSP with different companies in the area. When Beka started at Open Door as an admin assistant, she knew she had finally found a place that she could call home. Being part of the administrative team is a new challenge that Beka hopes will continue to push and grow her into an even better leader and co-worker. Beka enjoys dabbling in photography, being with animals, and spending the night on the couch binge-watching a show on a streaming service.
Kerry Warren
Human ResourcesKerry Warren is a dedicated Human Resources Generalist with over 10 years of experience supporting teams in the non-profit sector, previously working in an Early Learning program for low-income families. Known for her collaborative approach and strong relationship-building skills, she brings a people-first mindset to every aspect of her work- from conflict resolution to employee engagement.
With a Master’s Degree in International Psychology, Kerry has a deep understanding of cross-cultural communication and human behavior. She spent two years teaching English in Chile, and is fluent in Spanish, which continues to support her ability to connect across diverse teams, clients, and communities.
Kerry thrives in environments where active listening, continuous learning, and empathy are valued. Currently based out of the Open Door Admin office, Kerry is passionate about helping organizations grow by supporting the people who make them thrive. Kerry is looking forward to connecting with the staff that make Open Door a successful and meaningful organization!
Brigid Cortes
Public Relations CoordinatorWith Open Door since 2024
Before joining Open Door Rehabilitation Center, Brigid Cortes worked as a personal assistant to a family of five—first in Illinois and later in Florida—supporting them for a total of 12 years. During that time, she helped manage childcare, household organization, office work, and a variety of day-to-day tasks. Brigid spent seven of those years in Florida before returning home to Illinois, where she was originally from (Aurora, IL).
After settling back in Illinois, Brigid joined Open Door as an HR and Marketing Assistant. Her attention to detail, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills quickly made an impression, and within less than a year she was promoted to Public Relations Coordinator. In her current role, Brigid helps coordinate fundraising events and manages donor relations, donations, and grants—ensuring that Open Door continues to thrive through community support.
Outside of work, Brigid enjoys spending time with her friends and family. A dedicated DIYer, she’s always finding new ways to improve her home. She and her son, Cayden, love playing Fortnite together, and Brigid proudly embraces her role as a “sports mom,” attending all of Cayden’s games and wrestling matches. When she’s ready to unwind, you can find her relaxing with a good book or catching up on her favorite Netflix series.