Jeannie M. Karbach, M.Ed. serves as Director of Community Operations at Kemmerer Village, bringing more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health, child welfare, residential treatment, and community-based services. A native Illinoisan, Jeannie earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Education in Counseling from Sul Ross State University before beginning her professional career in Texas, where she worked in community mental health, residential treatment, and substance abuse services before returning home to Illinois to be closer to family.

Jeannie joined Kemmerer Village in 2001 as a Clinical Supervisor and has advanced through multiple leadership roles over the course of her career. She later served as Clinical Milieu Manager for Residential Treatment, where she refined her strengths in administration, team development, and program operations. In 2016, she was appointed Director of Community Services and assumed leadership of the foster care program. Under her direction, the department experienced significant growth, expanding to more than three times its size while strengthening services and support for children and families throughout the region.

Now serving as Director of Community Operations, Jeannie provides oversight for several key agency programs, including foster care, Camp Carew, and the Assumption Community Childcare Center. Her leadership has been recognized statewide. In 2022, the Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan she authored was named Illinois’ top plan in Innovative Services and was formally recognized by the Illinois State Senate. Earlier in her career, she was honored as Employee of the Quarter while serving with West Texas Centers for MHMR.

Jeannie is known for her thoughtful leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to children and families. She remains dedicated to strengthening communities, developing future leaders, and advancing the mission of Kemmerer Village.