CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced Aileen Velazquez as the next Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Procurement Services (DPS). Velazquez is an experienced strategic sourcing procurement leader with an excellent record of contract negotiations implementation and governance in Chicago. This appointment is subject to City Council approval.  

"Aileen is an exceptional leader with over 20 years of experience in contracting services,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I look forward to working with her to build on the department’s past successes and ensure that Chicago’s procurement processes continue to be transparent, efficient and cost effective while providing opportunities and incentives for small, minority and women-owned businesses to participate in City contracts.” 

As Chief Procurement Officer for DPS, Velazquez will be charged with leading the contracting, certification, and compliance authority for the City of Chicago. Additionally, DPS maintains the highest commitment to diversity, transparency, and innovation while continuously expanding the resources and programs that empower citizens to become involved in the contracting opportunities available at the City. 

“It is truly a privilege and honor to be selected by Mayor Lightfoot to lead the Department of Procurement Services, which continues to be a national leader in procurement reform and diversity,” said Aileen Velazquez. “I am excited to expand on the Mayor’s commitment to level the playing field so that small businesses as well as women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses can compete for and win City contracts.” 

Prior to joining the Lightfoot administration, Velazquez served as the Director for Procurement Services for Corporate/Outsourced Services at CNA Insurance Companies. As Director, Velazquez spearheaded the company-wide strategic outsourcing initiative for real estate, claim, worker’s compensation, finance, risk management, IT, human resources, and procurement. Before her role at CNA Velazquez served as the Deputy Procurement Officer for DPS, where she managed the Contract Administration division. Prior to that role, Velazquez served as Deputy Purchasing Officer of Strategy Planning Education /Administration and Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Policy for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). While at CPS she improved the efficiency and effectiveness of their procurement department through the successful implementation of a strategic sourcing initiative.  

Velazquez is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  

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