Meet the Team

  • Dr. Lisa M. Bly-Jones joined the Chicago Jobs Council as CEO in 2021. As CEO, she leads the organization’s capacity building, member engagement, and policy advocacy agenda.

    Prior to taking the helm as the Jobs Council’s CEO, Dr. Bly-Jones was the executive director of The Workforce Connection in Rockford, Ill. She was responsible for leadership and implementation of strategic workforce development initiatives serving Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties in Northern Illinois.

    With oversight of Workforce Development, Community Education and Continuing Education divisions on community college campuses in Illinois and Tennessee, she led numerous national workforce projects for public and private funders by designing and developing occupational training programs that led to employment.

    Prior to her work in community colleges, she was the Chief Professional Officer (CPO) of the South-Southwest Suburban United Way where she responsible for merging and restructuring a regional organization. Utilizing strategic planning, board management and community outreach to build strategic business alliances, Dr. Bly-Jones increased their annual giving campaigns every year to allocate funds to health and human service agencies in diverse communities throughout the suburban Cook County region.

    She has more than 20 years of experience in training and development and shares her expertise as a speaker at national and state conferences. She teaches courses and leads workshops for large and small groups, in addition to facilitating round-table discussions and town hall meetings.

    Dr. Bly-Jones has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with Stewardship, Leadership & Learning as a concentration from the University of St. Francis, an M.A. in Communications and Training and a B.A. in Media Communications from Governors State University, and an A.A. from Moraine Valley Community College.

    She has served as the Midwest regional liaison for the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) to advance workforce development policy and programs at the local, state, and federal level and is part of NAWB’s taskforce to improve racial equity in the Workforce System. Dr. Bly-Jones was president of the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) and co-chairs the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Equity Taskforce. She was a board member of the Regional 1 Planning Council (R1PC) and named one of Rockford’s 2021 People You Should Know. She hosted the Workforce Wisdom Podcast and spoke with business and industry leaders from across the country.

    Dr. Bly-Jones is humbled and inspired by what she accomplishes with others. She integrates her workforce development expertise with her community college campus experiences and applies an equity lens to increase diversity and establish inclusive communities that provide a sense of belonging.

    Her first job was as a receptionist/clerk for a cleaner’s in her apartment building. She was responsible for tagging and bagging clothes that went out to the cleaners for the residents.

CEO

  • Valerie Charles joined Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) as Director of Capacity Building & Training in August 2023. In this role, Valerie leads the capacity building team and manages day-to-day operations and execution of short-term and multi-year initiatives and projects in alignment with CJC’s strategic priorities. Valerie has worked in the corporate sector, non-profit, workforce development, and higher education. Her expertise is in career development and she has been successful introducing those best practices into the worlds of workforce development, post-secondary spaces, and higher education. She enjoys helping individuals of all professional levels reach their career goals. Her greatest passion is building systems and programs that can offer resources to those in pursuit of academic and career goals. She is committed to creating programs that will enable organizations to better educate the community on various job readiness best practices and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Valerie is an instructor at National Louis University, where she teaches career development and human service courses.

    Prior to joining CJC, Valerie built a career services program that serviced young adults from under-resourced communities in the Chicagoland area.

    Ask Valerie about her travels.

Director of Capacity Building & Training

  • Kengu Christine joined Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) in August 2023 as a Capacity Building Fellow. In her role, she assists and supports the capacity-building team. She is a Master of Social Work student specializing in organizational and community practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

    Before joining CJC, Kengu was a specialist in immigration at Nebraska Lutheran Family Services where she assisted with filling out applications, renewing visas, SNAP, SSN, and other areas of public assistance, and communicated with the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of her clients. She also served as an intern at Joseph Center in Grand Junction, Colo., where she gained hands-on experience working within case management services.

    In her free time, Kengu enjoys Pilates classes, cooking, and exploring new restaurants.

Capacity Building Fellow

  • Diana Clegg joined Chicago Jobs Council as Director of Administration & Operations in February 2023. In this role, Diana leads and manages the successful implementation of organizational operations and administrative resources in the areas of budget and fiscal management, technology, human resources and facility services that support the day-to-day operations of CJC. She also provides high level support to the CEO with Board related matters and special initiatives, as well as co-leading the organization's strategy and planning efforts under the direction of the CEO.

    Diana is an accomplished nonprofit management professional with exceptional program development instincts, strong relationship-building skills, and dedication to organizational growth balancing change with continuity. She has demonstrated critical analysis and problem-solving ability, a high attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Passionate to work for an organization with a strong commitment to racial justice, Diana is excited to be working at CJC, as the organization works toward creating an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity.

    Prior to working at CJC, Diana was the Executive Director of Erasing the Distance, a non-profit arts organization based in Chicago that uses the power of performance to disarm stigma, educate, spark dialogue, and promote healing surrounding mental health. She was also Manager of the YWCA RISE Children’s Center, a city-wide provider of specialized child counseling and advocacy services.

    Ask Diana what her community chorus is rehearsing this season and what plays she’s seen lately.

Director of Administration & Operations

  • Annika Cole started at Chicago Jobs Council in 2022 as Advocacy Manager. In this role, Annika spearheads CJC’s legislative advocacy in concert with the Policy Team staff, member organizations, coalition partners, and job seekers. Annika has five years of non-profit and political campaign experience working to push for progress and implement programs. She brings experience in relationship and community building, coordinating strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, monitoring progress to achieve set goals, and event planning. Annika hopes to use advocacy and policy to amplify and further the work of structural change to create a more equitable society.

    Ask Annika about her dog Drew, road tripping, and about the latest recipe she’s tried.

Advocacy Manager

Kate Gannon Headshot

  • Kate Gannon joined Chicago Jobs Council in 2022 as a Program Manager. In her role, Kate will coordinate the Chicago College and Career Advising Credential, as well as other training opportunities for youth development professionals. Kate previously worked with the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest program. She worked with youth and adults in hands-on urban agriculture training programs, leading experiential learning opportunities on the farm and classroom based training in career readiness and environmental literacy. She is passionate about green jobs and creating a more sustainable and equitable workforce.

    Ask Kate about her favorite forest preserves, her rescue pets, and her garden.

Program Manager

Ivana Grant Headshot

  • Ivana Grant joined the Chicago Jobs Council in 2024 as the Marketing and Communications manager. In this role, Ivana manages CJC’s ongoing communications with our partners and supporters. In addition, she helps CJC share its story with the world in an engaging way and lights a fire in others to join in our mission.

    Before joining CJC, Ivana spent seven years building a career in non-profit marketing. She is becoming an expert in creating content that engages for a cause. Her passion is creating stories that promote the good that organizations are doing and help others understand how they can support and get involved in making a difference.

    In her free time, Ivana’s hands are full with her family. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three children under 6.

Marketing & Communications Manager

Andrew Hertzberg Headshot

  • Andrew Hertzberg joined CJC in January 2022 as the Development Associate and was promoted to Development Manager in 2023. In this role, his responsibilities include grant writing and research; fundraising event planning and implementation; building donor bases and relationships; and creating sustainable fundraising strategies. He has six years of non-profit experience working with a variety of organizations and issues related to youth education and literacy, music education, and transit advocacy. In his most recent work with education non-profit Turning the Page, he organized, planned, and implemented pop-up book sales across Chicago to support family engagement programs in North Lawndale public schools.

    When not working, he can be found reading, checking out live music, playing drums, or exploring the city on his bike.

Development Manager

Cheryl Hester Headshot

  • Cheryl is currently CJC’s Capacity Building Administrator. joined CJC in a full time position in March 2007 as a Program Assistant. Now, as Administrator of CJC’s Frontline Focus Training Institute, Cheryl provides support to the Frontline Focus Training programs, ensuring that training logistics are in order and run smoothly. You also may get a call or email from Cheryl about CJC membership, which she handles. Prior to joining CJC full time, Cheryl worked as the Receptionist/Office Manager for CJC and the Chicago Community Loan Fund where she oversaw general office operations, managed the switchboard, and ensured that all guests were warmly greeted and welcomed. Cheryl has always had a passion for helping others.

    Ask Cheryl about her grandchildren and she can go on for days.

Capacity Building Administrator

  • Mimi Hutchinson joined Chicago Jobs Council in May 2023 as a Senior Policy Research Fellow. In this role, Mimi evaluates, monitors, and improves the ongoing implementation of complex legislation, specifically the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

    Before starting at CJC, Mimi worked as a transportation planner and regional human services coordinator at the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. She graduated with her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2021. There, she worked as a graduate research assistant on an IDOT-funded study of public transit ridership trends and barriers to transit access in Illinois. She also completed a thesis project on mobility justice in rural areas. Mimi believes in the power of research and conversation to make public services more accessible and viable.

    Mimi’s first job was as a greenhouse assistant at UIUC’s Plant Biology Greenhouse and Conservatory, where she tended to coffee plants, epiphytic orchids, and even a rare corpse flower.

Senior Policy Research Fellow

  • Melina is a Program Coordinator for CJC’s Capacity Building team. She joined CJC in 2023 and is responsible for successful partnership building, effective planning, and project development. She enjoys working with both individuals and organizations to amplify their connection and communication so that they can make an influential impact in the world. Valuing kindness, service, humor and excellence, Melina brings a unique perspective gained from her many years of working in the nonprofit sector and sketch comedy writing.

    In her free time, you can find Melina working on a short story, thrifting, taking a floral arrangement class, and walking in nature.

Program Coordinator

  • Esther Kim joined Chicago Jobs Council in July of 2023 as a Policy Fellow. She provides support and assistance to the policy team's advocacy and initiatives for city, state, and federal workforce development policies. She is a current Master of Social Work student specializing in Social Administration at the University of Chicago.

    Prior to CJC, she worked on grant-funded projects for care coordination, capacity building, and workforce development for allied health and human service professionals. She also worked with policy centers and coalitions regarding fair wage and tax policies and housing. She is a strong believer in the power of community and centering those with lived experiences to be the catalyst and experts of social change.

    In her free time, you can find her spoiling her dog, Baba, and cooking local recipes from home.

Policy Fellow

  • We’re pleased to announce the promotion of Angela Morrison to Policy Engagement Manager. Angela joined the Jobs Council in 2017 as a Policy Associate, quickly lending her workforce development experience to our Policy and Frontline Focus work. Since joining the Jobs Council Angela has worked on advancing the organization’s advocacy for good workforce development policy and investments into under-resourced workers and communities. She has played a key role in the Jobs Council’s effort to expand equity and diversity in the clean-energy sector and in apprenticeship training programs.

    Angela brings vast experience in stakeholder engagement and building relationships, and we are excited about this new capacity on the Policy Team.

Policy Engagement Manager

  • Jacob Sitati joined Chicago Jobs Council in 2022 as the Director of Policy & Advocacy. In this role, Jacob leads and manages Chicago Jobs Council’s policy development, oversees advocacy and stakeholder engagement under the direction of the CEO and is a member of the Jobs Council’s leadership team. Jacob brings nearly 15 years of legal consulting, policy, and advocacy experience, and has worked across various industries. In his most recent role as a Managing Principal at Maurice and Fischer, LLC, Jacob managed stakeholder relationships and successfully led legal, governmental relations, advocacy, policy, legislative, and regulatory teams for global clients in emerging markets. He was a member of the Faculty at Valparaiso University and a Visiting Fellow at Strathmore Law School, in Nairobi, Kenya. Jacob is committed to using policy and advocacy to raise awareness of important social justice issues and amplify the work being done to create a more equitable society.

    Ask Jacob about gravel and endurance cycling, ranching in Kenya, and German Shepherds.

Director of Policy & Advocacy

  • Meet Kyra, who recently moved to Chicago about four years ago, and is taking charge in her career development. Kyra is determined to have her professional journey aid in helping others through her non-profit work both on the stage and behind the scenes with joining the CJC team. Currently she is the Operations Coordinator at the Chicago Jobs Council. In this role she aids the director of operations with HR tasks, and any administrative needs of the organization. With this new role she hopes to continue contributing to the community's needs while working on making sure everyone's voice is being heard.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, Kyra finds passion and joy as an Actor at Otherworld Theatre Company. She finds her calling in creating a world for others to escape to and help inspire everyone around her to find their sparkle.

Administration & Operations Coordinator

Board of directors

  • President — Mollie Dowling | IFF (CDFI)

    Vice President — Manny Rodriguez | Revolution Workshop

    Secretary — Rebecca Estrada | Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

    Treasurer — Loren Dineen | BMO

  • Amanda Allen | OAI, Inc.

    Victor Burgos | Advanced Manufacturing Bilingual Educators

    Cheryl Freeman Smith | Olive Harvey College

    Lisa Hampton | Chicago Department of Family & Support Services

    Sheryl Holman | Community Assistance Programs

    Mike Holmes | Black Community Provider Network

    Yolaine Jean | City Colleges of Chicago

    Anita Jenke | Career Transitions Center of Chicago

    Sheryl Morris | UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute

    Joe Mutuc | Cara Collective

    Becky Raymond | scaleLIT

    Mark Sanders | Chicago Department of Family & Support Services

    Ayom Siengo | Goodwill Industries

  • Edith Crigler, Illinois Prisoner Review Board

    Mimi Gilpin (deceased)

    Anne Ladky

    Betty J. Willhoite (deceased)

Thank you to all of our supporters