Creative Redevelopment in Ethnic Neighborhoods

Bio: For the past 6 years, Liz Griffiths DeChant served as Director of the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR), one of the nation's preeminent and oldest community-based economic development corporations, located in the multiethnic, low and moderate income community of Albany Park, on Chicago's northwest side. Simultaneously, she served as Director of the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, a robust 150-membership-based organization, both economic development affiliates of the North River Commission (NRC), a 50-year old community development organization. Liz leveraging more than $10 million in neighborhood investment and development, resulting in the creation or retention of more than 250 jobs. She implemented city-wide tours, special events, arts and marketing initiatives, and technical assistance, and business attraction/ retention strategies for the diverse community that has attracted thousands of local and regional tourists to Albany Park and North Park. She has previously served as Economic Development Coordinator and LISC/AmeriCorps member at NRC. Currently, Liz serves as principal for DeChant, Inc. providing consulting services in economic development, community development, and marketing. This May, she will lead tours of Albany Park as part of Chicago's inaugural "Jane's Walk" tours.

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Beloit College, Beloit, WI

Past Assignments: Tour guide for North River Commission/LADCOR and DeChant, Inc. Clients include: City of Chicago's Office of Tourism and Culture, Department of Cultural Affairs, Burnham Plan Centennial, Chicago 2016, Heartland Alliance, Midwest Travel Writer's Association, Illinois State University, DePaul University, Northwestern University, Indiana University, Cornell College, Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University. Tours include: arts and culture in Albany Park, architecture, economic development, comprehensive community development, and community organizing.

Bio: Executive Director of the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce in Chicago and Program Manager of Special Service Area #43 Devon Avenue.

Education: BS in Communication focus in Public Relations, Sociology from Illinois State University 1999

Past Assignments: Multiple tours and informational sessions about the history of Devon Aveune's Indo-Pak community.

Bio: Scott Goldstein brings twenty years of experience in community development, neighborhood redevelopment, housing, and economic development. He is a principal of Teska Associates, a community planning, design, and development economics firm based in Evanston, Illinois. With Teska he has led neighborhood planning and economic development efforts in Chicago, Bloomington, and Decatur, IL; Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; Dubuque, IA; and Hammond and Evansville, IN. He works with both public and non-profit organizations, helping communities plan and raise resources to implement projects.

Education: B.A. Tufts University, Medford, MA M.S.U.P., Columbia University, New York, NY

Key Publications: Washington Park Quality of Life Plan, Chicago Greater Frogtown Development Corporation Strategic Plan, St. Paul Community Development Stategy, Habitat for Humanity International Smart Communities, Chicago Digital Excellence Initiative Ten Ways to Make Your Community More Competitive, Urban Land Institute

Other Publications: Sustainable Decatur Village of Northbrook Downtown TOD Plan

Past Assignments: Instructor, Urban Policy Analysis and Neighborhood Planning courses, Northwestern University M.P.P.A. Program Speaker, Google Fiber, Kansas City, Missouri