HCCI Leadership
Matt Pickering
Executive Director
Matt Pickering
Matt became Executive Director of HCCI in January of 2021. He is the Founder and President of Pickering & Associates and has been a health care lobbyist in Illinois for 20 years. He began his career as an assistant to David Wilhelm, the former Chair of the Democratic National Committee and President Bill Clinton’s campaign manager. Matt is a graduate of DePaul University.
Michael GreeneVice President of Finance
Michael Greene
Michael serves as HCCI’s Vice President of Finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Colorado — Boulder. An Illinois native, Michael formerly worked as Director of Finance for S4 Group, a lobbying firm in Chicago. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and five children.
Alfonso CanoSenior Policy & Education Director
Alfonso Cano
Before joining HCCI, Al was the Bureau Chief for Long-Term Care at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Prior to working at IDPH, he was a Rules Analyst for the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for over 20 years. While at JCAR, Al reviewed rulemakings from the Departments of Public Health, Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Financial and Professional Regulation, and Health Facilities and Services Review Board. He is also a Registered Nurse, with Critical Care and Renal Transplant experience.
Amanda GintherMembership Director
Amanda Ginther
Amanda oversees member services for HCCI. Before HCCI, Ginther worked in corporate communications, and she also worked as a grassroots organizer for candidate and issue campaigns in Oregon. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and print journalism with a minor in communications studies from the University of Oregon and an Associate Arts degree from Portland Community College.
Nate Harris Legislative Director
Nate Harris
Nate joined HCCI in January of 2020 as Legislative Director. Previously, Nate worked for Senate President Cullerton on Senate Legal Staff and in charge of committees and legislation involving technology, local government, elections, executive appointments and JCAR. Nate also served as the Operations Director for the Senate Democrat Caucus in 2016 and as the Deputy Political Director in 2018, overseeing ballot access, human resources and campaign field operations. Nate received his Bachelor’s Degree from Augustana College in Political Science and Philosophy, as well as a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Lindsey HessCommunications Director
Lindsey Hess
Lindsey is the new Communications Director for the Health Care Council of Illinois where she manages media relations and internal communications. Lindsey formerly served as spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections, where she was tasked with developing and implementing the Department’s communication plan in response to COVID-19. Lindsey was a member of the Association of Women Executives in Corrections, served on the agency’s social justice committee, and organized family reunification events in partnership with Congressman Danny K. Davis.
Lindsey worked in broadcast journalism as an anchor and reporter for six years before her transition to public service. She is a graduate of Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois where she earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Communication & Rhetorical Studies and Elementary Education.
Lindsey devotes much of her spare time to volunteering, specifically for organizations benefitting young people. She is Executive Director of the Miss Quincy Scholarship Program, a duly accredited preliminary competition in the Miss Illinois and Miss America Organizations.
JB MeierPolicy & Regulatory Director
JB Meier
JB is responsible for implementing initiatives and policies that are beneficial to HCCI members and those they serve. Prior to joining HCCI, JB was a legislative assistant for the House of Representatives and then served as the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Illinois Department of Human Services. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with minor coursework in Governmental Studies from the University of Illinois – Springfield and an Associate Arts degree in Political Science from Lincoln Land Community College.
Rachel ShimkusHuman Resources Director
Rachel Shimkus
Rachel is the Human Resources Director at HCCI. She has over 20 years of experience in customer service, managerial work and executive assistance. Prior to joining HCCI, Rachel served as a Legislative Assistant in the House Speaker’s Office for 3 years.
Destiny LeePolicy Analyst
Destiny Lee
Destiny is Policy Analyst and Legislative Liaison for HCCI. Prior to joining HCCI, Destiny was a Policy and Budget Analyst in the Office of the Illinois Senate President, where she staffed multiple Senate Committees including the Financial Institutions, Public Health, Human Services, and State Government committees, respectively. Before her tenure with the Illinois Senate President’s Office, she previously worked as a Program Facility Coordinator for the Village of Glendale Heights, and as a participant of the University of Illinois Graduate Public Service Internship Program she interned as a Budget Analyst for the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Destiny is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the former Miss Black Illinois USA, where she created the Building Queens campaign to encourage young girls and women to develop self-confidence and authenticity through pageantry and personal development, during her reign. Lee received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Illinois Springfield and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from Eastern Illinois University.
Mary ButtonSenior Reimbursement Associate
Mary Button
Mary is a Senior Reimbursement Associate for HCCI. Since joining HCCI in 2012, Mary has contributed to or individually worked on a litany of policy and rulemaking issues including the Nursing Home Care Act, the SMHRF Act, and the Managed Care roll-out. Prior to working for HCCI, Mary served in the U.S. Army, in the Signal Corps. After leaving the military, Mary served in the U.S. Army Reserve, in a Medical Unit, and completed training as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Button holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s and educational specialist degree in school psychology.
Shelly GrigoroffAdministrative Assistant
Shelly Grigoroff
Shelly is Administrative Assistant for HCCI. She joined HCCI in 2022 after spending seven years supporting the Illinois House Republican Caucus in various capacities. Outside of work, Shelly is very active in her hometown, serving as Precinct Committeeman and as a former member of the Illinois Federation of Businesswomen and the Lioness Club. Shelly attended Western Illinois University for two years where she majored in special education.
Carrie ImpsonExecutive Assistant
Carrie Impson
Carrie joined the HCCI team in 2021 as an Executive Assistant. Prior to joining HCCI, Carrie worked for the Illinois House of Representatives as a Leadership Legislative Assistant.
Ellen McElroyOffice Manager
Ellen McElroy
Ellen is the HCCI office manager. Before joining HCCI, she spent nearly 27 years supporting the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus in various capacities. In her staff roles, Ellen managed organizing both substantive and appropriation committee materials, along with the process of sharing legislative analyses with senators.
