Today’s episode features Sylvia Puente, Executive Director of the Latino Policy Forum - the only public policy and advocacy organization in the Chicago metropolitan area working to improve educational outcomes for children, make housing accessible and affordable, promote just immigration reform, and build the influence and leadership of the Latino community. Through the Latino Policy Forum, she works with more than 100 organizational leaders in the Chicago metropolitan region and has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S.” by Hispanic Business magazine.

Sylvia was introduced to her life’s work as an advocate, policy analyst, and activist for Latino issues at age thirteen when she joined her mother on picket lines in support of the United Farm Workers.

We Learn About:

• The Latino Policy Forum’s impact strategy and its evolution
• Data supporting the successes and challenges of the Latino community
• Sylvia shares reflections on the farmworkers movement and what inspired her to get engaged in policy, and
• The Forum’s work to position and cultivate Latino and African-American leader

Notable Resources:

Latino Policy Forum's Issue Briefings

Harvard Family Research Project: Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy

Jack Weatherford, Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World

To learn more about the Latino Policy Forum, visit: latinopolicyforum.org

To support the Forum's mission: Click Here to Donate

Today, we connect with Maria del Socorro Pesqueira, President and CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Founded in 1975, Mujeres empowers Latinas by providing services that reflect their values and culture and by being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives. The agency serves as a beacon for Latinas and their families, serving over 8,000 community residents annually.

Maria is celebrating her 15th year as CEO Mujeres and offers some great insight on her experiences in that time.

We learn about:

• Mujeres' services in supporting women and families across Chicago
• Maria’s journey to the organization and her first experience with domestic violence
• The organization’s vision for how men can play an active role in ending domestic violence
• Maria’s approach to leadership, and why it’s personal, and
• Mujeres’ participation in the Purple Purse Challenge

Notable resources:

Peter Drucker, The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization

Allstate Foundation, Purple Purse Challenge

To learn more about Mujeres, visit: mujereslatinasenaccion.org

To support Mujeres' mission, Click Here to Donate

Today we’re speaking with Kirstin Chernawsky, Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House, an organization with a history of serving immigrant families since 1870. Kirstin began her tenure at Erie in 2013 as Senior Director of Development & Communications. In March of 2016, Erie’s Board of Directors named her Executive Director, making her just the ninth individual - and fourth woman - to serve in this capacity.

In August 2016 Kirstin was named to the Crain's Leadership Academy, a cohort comprised of rising leaders in the nonprofit and business sectors. She also sits on the Board of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Chicago Women in Philanthropy.

We learn about:

• Erie’s services supporting immigrant communities
• Reflections on her first 8 months in the role at Erie House
• Offers advice to young leaders and in particular young women on embracing new opportunities
• Challenges of the State Budget Impasse

 Notable resources:

State Budget Impasse - Mapping the Damage to Illinois' Human Services

Adam Grant, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success

Kobi Yamada, What Do You Do with an Idea & What Do You Do with a Problem

To learn more about Erie, visit: eriehouse.org

To support Erie's mission, Click Here to Donate.

In this episode, we speak with Jose Rico, Senior Vice President of Community Impact at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Jose leads the organization’s community impact work in education, income, health and basic needs support. He also stewards its Neighborhood Network model of delivering highly coordinated and concentrated services in underserved communities.

Prior to the United Way, Jose served as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics where he planned policy, strategic initiatives, outreach, and communications for President Obama’s education agenda in the Latino community.

We learn about: 

• The UWMCs approach to investing in non-profits and communities
• Jose’s perspective on Latino leadership
• Opportunities for philanthropy to build coalition
• Importance of finding passion and mastering your craft

Connect with Jose on LinkedIn Here.

To learn more about the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, visit: uw-mc.org

To support the mission of the UWMC, Click Here to Donate.

In this episode, we speak with Juan Salgado, President and CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino. Juan has led Instituto through a 15-year period of national award-winning recognition and growth by establishing best-practices education and workforce development. In 2015, Juan was selected as a MacArthur Fellow, also known as the Genius Award, recognizing his strong community leadership and innovative approach to education in the Latino immigrant community.

We learn about:

• Instituto’s services and approach to supporting community
• Juan’s perspective on learning to lead
• The value of informal mentorship, and
• The importance of investing in the Latino communities across the region

Notable resources:

MacArthur Foundation - MacArthur Fellows, Class of 2015

University of Chicago, To & Through Project

Matt Desmond, Evicted

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me

To learn more about Instituto, visit: institutochicago.org

To support the mission of Instituto, Click Here to Donate.

In our first episode, we hear from one of Chicago’s most dynamic Latina voices. Sol Flores, is the founding Exective Director of La Casa Norte, an organization based on the West and Northwest Side of Chicago helping over 4,000 families impacted by homelessness.

We learn about:

• La Casa Norte's mission and vision
• Homelessness in Chicago
• Leadership lessons
• Ways to support Chicago communities

To learn more about La Casa Norte, visit: lacasanorte.org

To support the mission of La Casa Norte, Click Here to Donate.