Next Generation Ethnic Economies

Bio: City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations

Education: BA, Northeastern Illinois University MBA, University of Illinois at Chicago MPA, University of Illinois at Chicago

Past Assignments: Seminar on Prevention of Discrimination and Xenophobia in the Local Context, organized by: Research Center on Risk Governance, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Catalan Association of Municipalities, US Consulate General, Barcelona Spain, October 2012 Speaker at: Peace Day in Chicago, September 2012 Equal Pay Day Rally, Chicago April 2012 Panel Discussion: DePaul University Women's History Month, March 2012 Lookingglass Theater, The Speed of Change: Revolution or Evolution? February 2012 International Association of Chiefs of Police, Embracing Diversity: Have We Moved in the Right Direction? October 2011 Facilitate: Chicago’s LGBT Immigrant Rights Coalition Community Forum, September 2011

Bio: Teyonda Wertz is a Global thinker with proven experience in developing successful management strategies and promotional materials for a diverse population. She is highly motivated, energetic, and results-oriented, with excellent presentation and written communication skills. Ms. Wertz has been active in Public Policy since she arrived in Chicago. She is currently the The Executive Director of the South Shore Chamber, Inc. is responsible for the day to day decisions necessary to ensure proper functioning of the Chamber and for operating within approved Chamber policy, business,financial plans and budget. Maintains and operates a budget of approximately $ 950, 000. which includes direct service funding to manage, direct and oversee the SSA# 42/SSA#49 Special Service Areas. Teyonda Wertz has served as Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor for the Secretary of the Department of Human Services for the State of Illinois. She has managed and supervised the day to day operations of the largest agency in Illinois state government with 14,000 employees and a budget of $5 billion. Major responsibilities included strategic planning, intergovernmental relations, fiscal management, development of viable community partnerships, setting the state’s human services agenda. Vice President of Operations/Facilities for the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago (BGCC), on issues related to human resources, fiscal management and facility realignment. Provided direction and oversight to a staff of three Assistant Vice Presidents,14 club directors, executive assistants, interns, administrative assistants and receptionists in the executive offices. As Assistant Director of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Washington, DC. Ms. Wertz set up minority and women trade associations nation-wide and developed small business programs . She participated in the outreach and placement of minority and women contractors on the building of Harold Washington Library, Navy Pier, and McCormick Place. Ms. Wertz serves as Co-Chair for COAL Jobs and Economic Development Committee and a member of the Black Star Project, Rainbow PUSH, Chicago Urban League and NAACP.

Education: Teyonda Wertz, graduated Chicago State University (B.A. Criminal Justice) She is certified as a paralegal, Roosevelt University, Manager of Housing, by the National Center for Housing Management, Procurement Specialist, by US Department of Housing and Urban Development and Facilities Management Certification, Rockhurst University, Jacksonville, FL.