Darlene Riley

• Darlene has over 31 years of experience in child welfare. She has worked as an advocate, social worker, and social work supervisor. Throughout her career, she passionately dedicated herself to improving the lives of children and families.
• For 22 years, she served as a licensed foster parent, providing a caring home for over 50 youth and adopting six of the children she fostered.

Darlene Riley was born and raised in Chicago, IL, where her faith journey began under the guidance of her mother. From a young age, she recognized God’s presence in her life, which became a source of strength and redemption. Now a licensed minister in Minnesota, Darlene is actively involved in youth and women’s ministries at her church, driven by a deep belief in the power of God, prayer, and faith.

As an educator, Darlene views knowledge as a transformative tool, inspiring her students to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that individual learning contributes to societal improvement, and she finds joy in nurturing the growth of her students, just as her own mentors have done for her.

In her free time, Darlene enjoys walking, roller skating, and participating in book clubs and Bible studies. She also has a passion for traveling, and while she’s explored many destinations with family and friends, there are still many more places on her bucket list.