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. In this role, Marisa leads the team that oversees the development…

  • Larissa Mariano

    Executive Assistant for Community Impact

    Larissa Mariano is the executive assistant to the Vice President of Community Impact. In this role, she manages calendars, works to keep the team on…

Household Wealth

  • Caleb Herod

    Director of Income Growth

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

  • Sarah Bertman

    Impact Coordinator

    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…

  • 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…

  • Matthew Shomo

    Program Manager for Homeownership

    Matt Shomo (he/him) is the program manager for Homeownership at The Chicago Community Trust. He helps support Growing Household Wealth’s diverse portfolio of work including…

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

    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

People, Power and Policy

  • Ianna Kachoris

    Associate Vice President of People, Power and Policy

    Ianna Kachoris is the associate vice president of the People, Power and Policy team at The Chicago Community Trust. She leads government engagement and the…

Critical Needs

  • Sophia Bolton

    Impact Coordinator

    Sophia Bolton (she/her) is the impact coordinator for the Addressing Critical Needs strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she supports Addressing Critical Need’s…

  • Jai Jones

    Project Specialist for the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities

    Jaquanda ‘Jai’ Jones is the project specialist for the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. She oversees the strategy and dissemination of the $1.5M Chicago…

  • Joanne Otte

    Program Manager

    Joanne Otte is a program manager at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she manages the Promoting Wellbeing and Building Pathways to Stability portfolios…

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…

  • Marcus Samuel

    Impact Coordinator

    Marcus Samuel is the impact coordinator for the Building Collective Power strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Marcus supports the team’s diverse…

  • Lauren M. Woods

    Program Manager

    Lauren M. Woods is a program manager for the Building Collective Power strategy at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she is responsible for…

Policy Change

  • Aimee Ramirez

    Director of Policy Change

    Aimee Ramirez (she/her/ella) is the director of Policy Change at The Chicago Community Trust. Prior to joining the Trust, Aimee managed policy and government relations…

  • 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. …