M. Ava Steaffens, J.D., is the Chief Executive Officer for Christian Community Development Association, based in Chicago, IL. Before joining the CCDA team, she led KidWorks Community Development Corporation in Santa Ana, CA for 15 years, earning numerous awards for community leadership, education, and civic engagement and advocacy. A Cuban-American, native of Miami, FL, Ava earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University and later earned her Juris Doctor from Western State University School of Law in Fullerton, CA. Prior to her career in Christian Community Development, she practiced Immigration Law in Orange County, CA for 18 years. She lives in Santa Ana, CA and is the proud mother and grandmother of two married daughters, Jessica (and Anthony) and Katelyn (and Joshua) and three granddaughters, Selah, Shiloh and Pilar. 

M. Ava Steaffens, J.D., is the Chief Executive Officer for Christian Community Development Association, based in Chicago, IL. Before joining the CCDA team, she led KidWorks Community Development Corporation in Santa Ana, CA for 15 years, earning numerous awards for community leadership, education, and civic engagement and advocacy. Prior to her career in Christian Community Development, she practiced Immigration Law in Orange County, CA for 18 years.