Meet the people behind Chicago Run's success.
It takes an energetic group to inspire Chicago's children to run! Get to know the leaders of Chicago Run:STAFF
Alicia Gonzalez
Executive Director Alicia grew up in both Chicago (Pilsen and Little Italy neighborhoods) and Mexico. She attended Brown University and upon graduation lived in Boston where she worked as a Program Director for youth at the Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation (H.O.P.E.), a nonprofit that focuses on education, health, and policy for Latinos. She returned to Chicago in 2002 and worked at both the Logan Square Neighborhood Association and the Little Village Community Development Corporation as the New Communities Program Organizer. She left nonprofit for a few years to head up the Hispanic Community Development at a local Chicago Bank before returning to education, program development, and fundraising for Chicago Run. She was the first staff member with Chicago Run and has been with the organization since it's launch in 2008. She serves on the Board of Directors for Pros Arts Studio, the Board of Directors for the Instituto Justice and Leadership Academies, the Enlace Legacy Board, and is the Chicago Area Chair for the Brown Alumni Service Committee. Alicia is a recipient of the "35 Under 35 Chicago Leadership" Award from the Community Renewal Society and the "2009 Emerging Health Leader" from the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group. In June 2010, Alicia was selected to be a Fellow in the 2011 Leadership Greater Chicago Class. An avid runner herself, Alicia has completed seven marathons since 2004, including two Boston Marathons. Alicia lives in Logan Square and in her spare time enjoys yoga, hiking, art, and politics.
Alex Landberg
Events Manager Running Mates Program Manager
Alex grew up in Northern California. He graduated with a degree in marketing from California State University, Chico, where he also ran track. After graduation, Alex worked in the special events department at Major League Soccer in New York City, but it was his passion for coaching that lead him to a career in sports-based youth development. Most recently, Alex was in charge of running the middle school soccer program for America SCORES New England in Boston, MA. Alex lives in Lakeview, and in his spare time can be found either watching or playing soccer, or taking his truck on road trips across the country.
Amy Witt
Development Manager
Amy grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and attended the University of Michigan. She graduated in 2007 with a double major in psychology and sociology and is also certified in intergroup relations and facilitation. Upon graduating, Amy joined Teach for America, a national non-profit that works to close the academic achievement gap. She taught fifth grade in the Bronx, New York and was a grade leader, student council sponsor and a member of the curriculum mapping team at her school. She loved engaging in athletics with her students and co-coached a football and dodgeball club during her two years there. While in New York, she earned her Masters in Teaching. Amy currently serves on the board of Repair the World and is a Starting Bloc Fellow. She moved back to Chicago in the summer of 2009 and has been working with Chicago Run in multiple roles including program development and fundraising. She loves sports and specifically enjoys cheering on the Cubs, Bears, Bulls and University of Michigan football!
Ricardo Hernandez
Chicago Runners Program Manager
Ricardo grew up in Northwest Indiana and earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University Bloomington. Upon graduating, Ricardo served as an educator and organizer for 16 months in South America and Africa. He has been an avid runner since high school and has run competitively and leisurely in eight different countries, his favorite being the Human Race in Quito, Ecuador. When he is not shouting, “Go Bears!” you can catch him exploring new, healthy foods and “attempting” to dance to the likes of Orquestra Guayacan or Frank Reyes. He lives in Chicago and is ready to rock and/or roll with our future athletes!
David Koller
Program Coordinator
David grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated with a degree in International Studies and Art from the University of Denver. While in Colorado he developed a strong interest in public health not only from the state’s huge access to outdoor sports, but also through his work on campus co-coordinating his university’s peer health education program. Additionally, David has a passion for global health and has done some volunteer work while studying for two semesters in both Argentina and Peru. Upon graduation, David made the big move to Chicago to serve a year with AmeriCorps as a health educator on the city’s west side at a Federally Qualified Health Center. In this role David worked to address the health needs of the community, which included the implementation of a summer produce market in Austin to increase the neighborhood’s access to fresh whole foods and nutrition information. David lives in Logan Square and can be found running the boulevards, browsing the local farmer’s market, planning his next backpacking trip or just simply making art in his free time.
Jessica Vargas
Spring Intern
Jessica is an Accounting and Finance Major at DePaul University and is on the Dean's List. She grew up on the southside of Chicago and has always been involved with community service. During her sophomore year at DePaul, she went on a study abroad trip to Germany and Austria. While abroad she learned the importance of communication and ways in which to embrace different cultures. The importance of helping other people has always been a part of her life. In high school, she adopted a primary school in Jamaica and began raising funds to improve their learning environment. Providing adequate health and education to the students was her main goal. Jessica enjoys helping Chicago Run because she feels that she is continuing to help students, the only difference is that these students live in the same city that she does! She also enjoys sports like soccer and swimming, and during her leisure time she enjoys hanging out with friends and family.
SCHOOL SITE COORDINATORS
Our Site Coordinators are the primary contacts at our schools. They are the teachers who facilitate the program and ensure its efficiency at each location. Chicago Run Site Coordinators come from all walks of life and are deeply invested in creating a happy and healthy school environment for our students through the Chicago Run program.
Adam Tomkow, Andrew Petigo, Ivan Delgado, Haley Underwood, Ashley Greb, Debbie Dickert, Stephanie Hayes, Eric Miller, Enrique Fernandez, Nancy Montoya, Susan Rish, Eduardo Diaz, Mary Blaida, Lori Klein, Brad Kurz, Thomas Boettjer, Alyssa Dons, Katie Dasso, Carlos Patino, Harold Arnold, Marcia Day, Elvira Rivera, Melissa Tobias, Joe Phillips, Donyielle Josephs, Mario Silva, Sharon Zigulich, Anthony Rainey, Deirdre Pallasch, Karin Candelaria, Pam Civik, Lindsey Anderson, Santino Sadder, Kristin German, Jillian Ruddy, Joe Holesovky, Abigail Weber, Courtney Banks, Courtney McDonald, Eryn Van Acker, Maria Elipas, Brian Tomsheck, Anthony Scott, Margaret Gorski, Randall Powell, Julie Carter, Mary Holmes, Diana Rivera, John Mrugala, Anna Jensen, Abby Scheer, Lekia Savage, Derek Bacalzo, Kristin Arras, John Mahon, Faith Ston, Jolene Galpin
