Sylvia Puente

Current Term

2017-2023

Appointed By Governor

2022

Professional Experience

• President and CEO, Latino Policy Forum (2020-present); executive director (2009-2020)
• Director, Center for Metropolitan Chicago Initiatives, Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame (2001-2009)
• New Communities Director, The Resurrection Project (1999-2001)
• Latino Institute (1990-1998)

Professional/Civic Affiliations, Activities and Community Service

• Educational Success Committee, Pritzker transition team
• Restore, Reinvest, Renew Board
• State Housing Task Force
• Illinois Early Learning Council
• Illinois Education Funding Advisory Board
• Director, Advance Illinois
• Illinois Unidos
• Member, The Chicago Network
• Member, Economic Club
• Member, Civic Federation
• Board member, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
• Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow (1997)
• Lideramos

Awards and Honors

• Alumni Achievement Award, University of Illinois (2015)
• Ohtli Award, Mexico
• Honorary PhD, Roosevelt University
• Hispanic Business Magazine "100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S."
• Diversity Leadership Alumni Award, University of Chicago
• Illini Union Board, including Outstanding Achievement Award

Education

• MA, Public Policy Studies, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
• BS, Economics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1980)

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Residence

Chicago