About Us - Team

who we are

Our Team

Diane Burnham

Diane Burnham

Executive Director
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

SSA #61 Program Manager
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

Raymonde Vance

Operations Manager
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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Ticina Williams

Ticina Williams

Interim Program Manager, Community Development Market Manager
Ticina L. Williams is an author, consultant and creative entrepreneur. She is a native of the southside of Chicago and a graduate of Kenwood Academy. After working in the healthcare…
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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.