The Chicago Community Trust (CCT) recently named Andrea Sáenz as its new president and CEO. Sáenz’s selection is a promotion from within as she has been with CCT for nearly five years as its chief operating officer.
Sáenz arrived at CCT in 2018 from Chicago’s public sector. She had served as deputy commissioner and chief strategy officer of Chicago Public Library since 2012, overseeing more than 80 library branches. Prior to that, she served for one year as chief of staff to the CEO of Chicago Public Schools.
Her public sector experience also includes a year at the federal level as a policy strategist in the Office of Career & Technical Education at the U.S. Department of Education.
Despite her extensive public sector experience, Sáenz got her start and has spent the most time in the private nonprofit sector. Her first career position was as vice president of workforce development at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit focused on human services and community development in Latin-American communities. She ultimately spent five years there and would gain the attention of executive recruiters.
Sáenz then accepted a position in Chicago leading the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) as its president. It was after four years at the helm of HACE that she moved into the public sector.
Sáenz earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Scripps College.
In a press release about the selection Sáenz expressed her gratitude to the city of Chicago and her eagerness to help its disadvantaged communities by leading CCT: “As an immigrant from Ecuador who grew up in Los Angeles and came to Chicago as an adult, I have long felt embraced by Chicago and energized by our city’s diversity, cultural vibrancy, and civic commitment. I was initially drawn to the Trust because of the opportunity to invest in and help support committed leaders and organizations working to improve their communities. Since joining, I’ve been proud to work with colleagues, donors, and partners who have such a deep love and commitment to this City and region, and I look forward to doing all that I can to continue bringing resources and visibility to community-led solutions for our future.”
Sáenz immediately succeeds outgoing president and CEO, Helene Gayle, becoming CCT’s eighth president in its 107-year history.
