Nicholas

 

Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Nicholas leads the ward office team, provides administrative support for the Alderman's schedule and City Council priorities, and leads community engagement for the office's zoning, business development, and infrastructure programs. An urban planner by trade, Nicholas is most interested in municipal finance, the City Budget, manufacturing retention, and affordable housing. When he is not at the ward office, you might see him at Reckless Records Wicker Park, getting a cold brew coffee at Oromo, or biking around the neighborhood. 

Leah

Policy Director

Formerly the Community Development Director for the 1st Ward office, Leah has recently transitioned to a policy-oriented role. As Community Development Director, she handled any concerns related to business permitting/licensing, public safety, homelessness, and our senior community. Additionally, she acted as the office’s liaison with our sister agencies: Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and the Chicago Park District. As Policy Director, she reviews aspects of the City’s Municipal Code for areas of improvement, writes ordinances/resolutions, and works with the Alderman on implementing policy initiatives. During her free time, you can find her at our Community Events, volunteering in response to our migrant crisis, or reading fantasy novels.

También hablo español :)

Community Development Specialist

As our Community Development Specialist, Josec is one of our office’s main event-planners and community engagement contacts. He is the lead on collaborations with other public offices and organizations, including our nonprofit partners and State/County colleagues. He has spent his entire adult career in public service; before working full-time at the Ward office, Josec worked in State Representative Guzzardi’s office and previously had an internship with State Senator Tammy Duckworth, where he gained very valuable expertise in ongoing policies and initiatives at the State level. Josec is an avid equestrian; on the weekends, he spends his days at a ranch with his beloved horses and ponies.

También hablo español :)

Josec

Aldermanic Associate

As Associate, Victoria works on all things transportation, infrastructure, and forestry. She hopes to work towards equity in the 1st Ward through these avenues. She has an academic background in Urban Planning with a particular focus on social justice and sustainability. Previously, Victoria interned at Elevate where she worked with the Community Resources Team on researching topics such as utility burden, food deserts, and affordable housing in Illinois. In her free time, she enjoys quiet mornings reading with a cup of coffee and eating at any of the amazing restaurants the city has to offer.

Victoria

Christian

Constituent Services Liaison

A member of our front-line team, Christian is one of the first to respond to residents’ service requests. His principal role involves infrastructure, meaning he spends a lot of time in the field surveying alleys and residential streets for repaving potential, including pothole issues; cracked or uneven sidewalks in need of repair; trees potentially in need of a trim; or other needs that our residents request attention on in the built environment. He has a Master’s Degree in Political Science and Sociology. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog and two cats, visiting his family in Kansas, or watching the Kansas Jayhawks.