RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING KATYA NUQUES ON 16 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH ENLACE CHICAGO
WHEREAS, Katya Nuques, the first woman to serve as Executive Director of Enlace Chicago, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life to Little Village residents, will leave her position in-April 2022, after 16 years of service; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Katya's departure by the Honorable Michael D. Rodriguez, Alderman of the 22nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Katya was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador and graduated with honors from Universidad de Guayaquil with a degree in Economic Science and earned her MSA in International and Community Development from Andrews University; prior to joining Enlace, Katya worked in international development, first as an intern with the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development in New York, then as a project coordinator for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Peru; and
WHEREAS, Katya began her career with Enlace in 2005 as Director of Community Schools, and helped expand Enlace's Community Schools network by significantly increasing staffing and funding and diversifying revenue sources; in 2007, Katya ,assumed the role of Director of Education where she increased Enlace's involvement in teacher preparation programs, and internship and post-secondary education access; in 2011, Katya became Associate Director, and oversaw immigration, education, economic development, health and community engagement programs, and provided direct support to department directors; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Katya became the Executive Director of Enlace, and has focused on reinforcing organizational structure, delivering high quality programming, and ensuring financial sustainability; Katya oversees 200 staff members dedicated to providing services and programs in violence prevention, immigration, education, and health, and helps organize and build capacity of Little Village stakeholders to confront systemic inequities and barriers to economic and social access; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her role as Executive Director, Katya has served as a member of several organizations, including: the City of Chicago's Racial Equity Rapid Response Steering Committee; the Board of Directors of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; the Latino Policy Forum and its Illinois Latina Agenda; the Second Federal Bank Advisory Council; the Board of Directors of Sinai Health System; as a co-chair for the citywide planning initiative, "We Will Chicago"; as a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow; and as a member of the 2015 Cultivate Women of Color Leadership Cohort; and
WHEREAS, For 16 years Katya has positively impacted so many with her work at Enlace, and her work and compassion will be missed by the Little Village Community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-third day of March, 2022, do hereby congratulate and thank Katya Nuques for her 16 years of service with Enlace and wish her luck on her future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be presented to Katya Nuques.
MICHAEL D. RODRIGUEZ Alderman, 22nd Ward