Community Impact

The Trust is a dedicated team of individuals who strive to make good happen every day. We are honored, challenged and inspired by the daily opportunities to help make change in our communities. We look forward to connecting with you.

Mural in Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Photo: A Rahmann Statik mural in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

Community Impact

  • Marisa Novara

    Vice President of Community Impact

    Marisa Novara is the vice president of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust. As the Vice President of Community Impact for The Chicago Community…

  • Larissa Mariano

    Project Specialist & Executive Assistant for Community Impact

    Larissa Mariano is a project specialist and executive assistant to the Vice President of Community Impact. In this role, she manages calendars, works to keep…

Household Wealth

  • Shandra Richardson

    Senior Director of Household Wealth

    Shandra Richardson is the senior director of Household Wealth at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she is responsible for driving and building on…

  • Caleb Herod

    Director of Income & Assets

    Caleb Herod (he/his) is the director of Income & Assets at The Chicago Community Trust. He manages efforts to support educational attainment, workforce development, and…

  • Sarah Bertman

    Impact Coordinator for Household Wealth

    Sarah Bertman (she/her) is an impact coordinator for the Household Wealth team at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role she supports the administrative, collaborative…

  • Sonianne Lozada

    Program Manager for Income & Small Business

  • Matt Shomo

    Program Manager for Homeownership & Home Equity

    Matt Shomo (he/him) is the program manager for Homeownership & Home Equity at The Chicago Community Trust. He manages the Trust’s homeownership portfolio by supporting…

Community Wealth

  • Christen Wiggins

    Senior Director of Community Wealth

    Christen Wiggins is senior director of Community Wealth at The Chicago Community Trust. Prior to this role, she oversaw grant making and program strategy at…

  • Sienna Campbell

    Impact Coordinator for Community Wealth

    Sienna Campbell is an impact coordinator for the Community Wealth team at The Chicago Community Trust.  In this role, she supports Community Wealth’s internal team…

  • Edwin Tobar

    Program Manager for Community Wealth

    Edwin Tobar (he/him/his) is a program manager for Community Wealth at The Chicago Community Trust.  In this role, Edwin leads conversations and grantmaking around development…

  • Mariah Van Ermen

    Program Manager for Community Wealth

    Mariah Van Ermen is a program manager for the Community Wealth strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. Her professional experience has focused on systems change…

People, Power and Policy

  • Ianna Kachoris

    Associate Vice President of Community Impact

    Ianna Kachoris is the associate vice president of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Ianna leads the People, Power and Policy…

  • Sophia Bolton

    Impact Coordinator for People, Power and Policy

    Sophia Bolton (she/her) is an impact coordinator for the People, Power and Policy team at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she supports the People,…

  • Marcus Samuel

    Impact Coordinator for People, Power and Policy

    Marcus Samuel is an impact coordinator for the People, Power and Policy team at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Marcus supports the team’s…

Critical Needs

  • Ayom Siengo

    Senior Director of Critical Needs

    Ayom Siengo is the senior director of the Critical Needs strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. Ayom came to the Trust from Goodwill Industries of…

  • Joanne Otte

    Program Manager for Critical Needs

    Joanne Otte is a program manager for the Critical Needs strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she leads grantmaking and changemaking strategies…

Collective Power

  • Iona Calhoun-Battiste

    Senior Director of Collective Power

    Iona Calhoun-Battiste is the senior director of Collective Power at The Chicago Community Trust. Admired for her ability to cast vision, strategically plan, develop cross-functional…

  • Adrianna Parker-Lang

    Program Manager for Collective Power

    Adrianna Parker-Lang is a program manager for the Collective Power team at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she manages grantmaking initiatives and stewards…

Policy Change

  • Aimee Ramirez

    Director of Policy Change

    Aimee Ramirez (she/her/ella) is the director of Policy Change at The Chicago Community Trust. Aimee leads the Trust’s Policy Change team and oversees the development…

  • Jalen Preacely

    Policy Specialist

    Jalen Preacely is a policy specialist at The Chicago Community Trust.  In this role, Jalen supports the policy team with its grant making process, administrative duties, and advocacy efforts. …