With more than three decades of leadership in nonprofit, government, and philanthropy, Juanita Irizarry partners with mission-driven organizations to design strategies that center equity, sustainability, and community voice. A lifelong Chicagoan from the city’s Puerto Rican barrio, she combines lived experience with policy expertise to create solutions that prioritize those most impacted by systemic inequities.

Juanita has led and contributed to transformative initiatives across Chicago, from developing community gardens and rehabilitating housing stock to protecting parkland, closing environmentally harmful facilities, and advocating for green spaces that benefit residents without displacing them. Her leadership at Friends of the Parks and the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network/Humboldt Park Empowerment Project are among her many contributions that continue to shape healthier, more just communities.

• Nonprofit Strategic Planning
• Racial Equity & Justice
• Housing & Environmental Justice
• Community Engagement & Advocacy
• Policy Development & Philanthropy
• Resource Development
• Urban Planning & Sustainable Communities
• Nonprofit & Civic Leadership

Juanita is widely recognized for her ability to bridge grassroots voices and institutional decision-making. She was named a Chicago United for Equity Fellow in 2019 and continues to be a respected thought partner for leaders and communities alike. Clients value her unique ability to translate bold ideas into actionable strategies that deliver lasting impact.

• Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science and Spanish, Greenville University
• Graduate Studies in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Master of Public Administration, Harvard Kennedy School