Leadership

Coalition Steering Team

The Steering Team is the leadership committee for the Coalition and helps to set vision, ensure inclusivity, and drive decision-making toward Coalition objectives.

  • Secretary: Jennel Hooper, Kings Hill Development Foundation
  • Advocacy and Coalition Building Working Group Lead: Lili Diaz & Rodrigo Perez, Center for Changing Lives
  • Data and Analytics Working Group Lead: Alejandra Sanchez, Camino Group
  • Sustainability Working Group Lead: Xandi Wright, Wright To Learn
  • Technology and Digital Tools Working Group Lead: Aisha Ahrens, Women’s Business Development Center
  • Digital Learning Working Group Lead: Michael Matos, ScaleLIT
  • Backbone Convener: Christian Taylor, City of Chicago
  • On-Boarding Lead: Keona Owens, Touchgift Foundation
Community Ambassadors

Community Ambassadors bring their lived experience and expertise, network, knowledge of community, and fresh ideas to the Coalition.

  • Ronnie Chatman, Roseland
    • Nominated by Phalanx Family Services
  • Antonia Hernandez, Belmont Cragin
    • Nominated by Northwest Center
  • Grace Li, Bridgeport
    • Nominated Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
  • Consuelo Martinez, Back of the Yards
    • Nominated by Kids First Chicago & Chicago Connected
  • Floyd Vaughn III, North Lawndale
    • Nominated by I AM ABLE
  • Claiborne Wade, Austin
    • Nominated by Kids First Chicago & Chicago Connected
Guiding Team

The Guiding Team, who led the creation of the Digital Equity Plan, was made up of community leaders, community-based organizations, government agencies and institutions, and digital equity subject matter experts who each bring a unique perspective on the digital divide.

Civic and Social Engagement Co-Chairs
Reyna Rodriguez
Reyna Rodriguez

Digital Coach Coordinator, Northwest Center

Consuelo Martinez
Consuelo Martinez

Back of the Yards Parent Leader

Sasha Neri
Kate Lapinski

Librarian - Adult Learning and Economic Advancement, Chicago Public Library

Sasha Neri
Sasha Neri

Librarian - Tech, Content and Innovation, Chicago Public Library

Pat Steward
Pat Steward

Digital Inclusion Manager, Chicago Housing Authority

Alvyn Walker
Alvyn Walker

Worker-Owner, ChiCommons

Workforce Co-Chairs
Andrew Wells
Andrew Wells

VP of Workforce Development, Chicago Urban League

Marisa Lewis
Marisa Lewis

Chief Policy Officer and Board Liaison Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Jasmine Williams
Jasmine Williams

Senior Policy Analyst Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Dwayne Douglas
Dwayne Douglas

Chicago Area Broadband Initiative, QUILT Corporation

Health Co-Chairs
Rachel Herter
Rachel Herter

Chief Information Officer, Lawndale Christian Health

Karina Aguilar
Karina Aguilar

Belmont Craigin Parent Leader and Chicago Connected learner

Dr. Erica Taylor
Dr. Erica Taylor

Medical Director of Congregate Settings, Chicago Department of Public Health

Bridget Hayman
Bridget Hayman

Director of Communications at Access Living

Education Co-Chairs
Sabrina Jackson
Sabrina Jackson

Parent Programs Manager/Community Organizer, Teamwork Englewood

Dominique Smith
Dominique Smith

Garfield Park Community Leader and CPS Special Education Classroom Assistant

Berenice Pond
Berenice Pond

Senior Manager of Family and Community Engagement, Chicago Public Schools

Becky Raymond
Becky Raymond

 Executive Director, ScaleLIT

Katheryn Hayes
Katheryn Hayes

Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications and Operations, City Colleges of Chicago

Daniel Block
Daniel Block

Professor and Chair of Geography, Sociology, History, Africana Studies, and Anthropology Coordinator, Chicago State University

Administrative Support Team
Devon Braunstein
Devon Braunstein

Digital Equity Director, Mayor’s Office

Jill Gottfred-Sohoni
Jill Gottfred-Sohoni

Stakeholder Engagement, Circle Root Collaborative

Lauren Burdette
Lauren Burdette

Deputy Director for Policy and Equity, Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice

Elyda Healy
Elyda Healy

Interpreter