who we are
Our Team
Bran’Arla Johnson
Bran’Arla Johnson has over 20 years of leadership experience in the corporate sector with a focus on account management and client support. More recently, Bran’Arla worked in the nonprofit sector…
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Diane Burnham
Burnham holds a Master of Management in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago and a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She has…
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Rod Sawyer
Rod Sawyer has more than 30 years of experience as a business and technology professional with strong connectivity to the Hyde Park Chicago community. He joined the Hyde Park Chamber…
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Raymonde Vance
Since 1995, Raymonde Vance has been the essential glue that keeps the South East Chicago Commission operating efficiently at all times.
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Kiara Hardin
With a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University, Kiara focuses on the social determinants of health by closing gaps in community infrastructure. She has experience supporting…
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Board of Directors
Executive Board
- Jourdan Sorrell (Chair)
- James R. Poueymirou (1st Vice President)
- JoAnn Newsome (2nd Vice President)
- Danita Childers (Treasurer)
- Elizabeth Gardner (Assistant Treasurer)
- Phaedra Leslie (Secretary)
- Ben Anderson (Assistant Secretary)
Board Members
- Sandra Bivens
- Andre Brumfield
- Elvin Charity
- Susan S. Freehling
- Bernita Johnson-Gabriel
- Monica Haslip
- Michael McGarry
- Brian R. Porter
Board of Directors updated as of January 1, 2023.