CHICAGO – (Hispanic News Agency)- The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation (CLCF) is proud to announce Micaela Vargas as their new Executive Director.
Working alongside Chicago City Council Latino Caucus members and public and private partners, Vargas will lead the Foundation’s efforts to build a pipeline for Chicago’s Latino youth to attend college by raising scholarship funds, providing internships, and mentoring opportunities.
She will also manage the Foundation’s Leadership Academy for mid-level high-potential professionals to further develop the next generation of public and private sector leaders.
Vargas comes to the CLCF with over eight years of experience in public policy, political strategy, business development and operations and has served in a variety of leadership roles supporting senior-level executives and top government officials.
“We’re exceptionally pleased that Micaela has taken on this important leadership role at the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th), Chairman of the Foundation.
“She succeeds Sonia Del Real, the Foundation’s first Executive Director, who we thank for setting a strong foundation for the many successes we have had to date. We are confident that Micaela’s expansive knowledge of leadership programming, years of fundraising experience, and government and policymaking experience makes her well-positioned to lead us going forward. What’s most impressive about Micaela, is her passion and commitment to the Latino community. Her experience coupled with her passion will enable her to plan more effectively for the future of the foundation, expand our programs, and introduce innovative approaches to achieve our mission.”
Vargas will be tasked with implementing the Foundation strategic plan to grow the reach of existing programming and building on the fundraising success of fundraising of the organization.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the CLCF. The Foundation is poised to really develop its vision and build on the tremendous momentum of the past several years. I look forward to being a part of the effort to bring the foundation to the next level, making a positive impact for the Latino community as a whole in Chicago,” Vargas said.
The Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation (501c3) was founded by the Latino Caucus to serve as a vehicle for improving access to higher education by way of scholarships, internships, and mentoring opportunities for Chicago’s Latino youth. The City Council Latino Caucus includes 13 members from across the city. They represent wards as diverse as Chicago itself. In addition to Chairman Maldonado (26), the Caucus membership includes Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1), Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10), Ald. George Cardenas (12), Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23), Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33), Ald. Carlos Ramirez- Rosa (35), Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), and Ald. Andres Vazquez (40). Chicago’s Clerk Anna Valencia is an ex-officio member of the Latino Caucus and Latino Caucus Foundation
