2024 ATRA Annual Conference - Together We Thrive, Together We Rise

MS, CTRS, CDP, CMDCP

Jennifer Stoner has been an educator for over thirty years, teaching at both the elementary school and university levels. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Recreation with a concentration in Recreational Therapy. She has been a CTRS since 1990 and has held several positions in the field of long-term care. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner (CMDCP). She currently works for Inspire Consulting Services LLC, providing consultation and dementia training to long term care communities.
At the university level, Ms. Stoner has served as Assistant Professor and taught both undergraduate and graduate students in both the recreation and therapeutic recreation programs. Her interest in cultural understanding stems from the impact her multicultural family and friends have had on her life. This personal interest and subsequent post-master’s study have led her to conduct staff trainings and present at workshops and conferences for over twenty years.
She is the author of the book, “A Chocolate Spirit: A Story of Friendship and Racial Understanding, published in 2022. The book chronicles her 35-year cross-cultural friendship and the journey it took her on toward racial understanding. Dr. Sheila Caldwell, Vice President for Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for the Southern Illinois University System states: “A Chocolate Spirit is a compelling educational tool that can inspire honest conversations about race and generate momentum for bold and just actions.”

CTRS, CPRP

Tracey Crawford is the Executive Director at Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the President of Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF)since 2011.
Crawford earned BS in Leisure Studies - TR from the University of Iowa. A CTRS, CPRP, actively involved in in leadership with ITRS of Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), Past Chairman of IPRA Board, NRPA, NTRS Past Chair, American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration President Elect and JEDI Committee Co-Chair. Serves on IPRA Foundation Board, IPRA Diversity Leadership Task Force, Past President of ATRA, and the Board Liaison to the ATRA ILRTA Chapter Board. Awarded Meritorious Service Award from NTRS for work in the field and inclusion. Recipient of National Institute on Recreation Inclusion (NIRI) Excellence in Inclusion Award. Awarded IPRA Chairman’s Award three times for her dedication to the field, Board involvement, committees, task forces, and bringing visibility of DEI to IPRA. Awarded Daily Herald’s Business Ledger’s Influential Woman in Business Award. Honored as Community Leader of Year by the Rolling Meadows, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Professional of the Year for ILRTA. She co-created the Safe Zone Conversation Model, used in over 100+ park and recreation agencies in Illinois and collaboratively with NRPA. She authored/co-authored inclusion articles and DEI articles in NRPA Magazine, Recreation Management Magazine, IPRA Magazine, the introductory chapter for inclusion and completed a chapter for inclusion management through Human Kinetics. Tracey is also a DEI subject matter expert for Berry Dunn and BCG Learning Solutions.