About Us - Team

who we are

Our Team

Bran’Arla Johnson

Bran’Arla Johnson

Program Director
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

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

Office Administrator
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

Kiara Hardin

Program Coordinator
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.