At The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, we believe in the transformative power of a meaningful career.

As the non-profit umbrella organization of one of the nation’s largest public workforce systems, we don’t just connect people to careers—we open doors to possibility. Through bold leadership and a deep commitment to equity for all, we help individuals rise, businesses grow, and communities thrive.

Designated by the City of Chicago and Cook County to steward federal workforce development funding, we guide a vibrant network of 70+ community-based organizations, American Job Centers, which include sector and youth focused hubs, and career centers. Our reach extends even further through partnerships powered by public, private, and philanthropic investment.

Every day, our network works to unlock potential, supporting career seekers in building meaningful careers and empowering employers to strengthen their teams and shape the future of work in our region.

 

Our Vision

Every person has the opportunity to build a career; every business has the talent to grow and compete in a global economy.

Our Mission

We champion a dynamic network of workforce development partners dedicated to unlocking opportunity and driving economic growth. Guided by a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility and strategic collaboration, we manage a network that designs forward-thinking solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses, while preparing individuals not just for jobs, but for thriving, purpose-driven careers.

Our Values

Illustration of 3 hands joining together.

Collaboration

Lasting impact is built through collective effort. We cultivate partnerships across every level, regional to national, to drive shared progress in workforce and economic development. By uniting all voices and resources, we create meaningful connections that expand opportunity for individuals and businesses alike.

Illustration of two hands holding a heart shape.

Dignity of Work

We believe a career is more than a job; it is a pathway to purpose, pride, and progress. When people are empowered to grow through a meaningful career, businesses thrive and communities flourish. We invest boldly in people, in their potential, their talents, and their futures, because they are the foundation of a stronger, more equitable economy.

A sketch showing a group of three people with different features.

Equity

We intentionally provide the resources and supports people need to reach their full economic and human potential. We actively work to eliminate disparities people experience based on race/ethnicity, disability, background, gender, age, sexual orientation, or economic and educational status. Our focus includes serving those who may have barriers to employment, such as lack of required skills or certifications, limited work experience, lack of digital literacy, facing a language barrier, mental or physical disabilities or having been justice involved. We partner with employers who share our belief and are committed to the idea that all residents of our region can achieve a meaningful career that provides family-sustaining income.

Illustration of a hand holding money.

Financial Responsibility

We honor the trust placed in us by managing every dollar with purpose, integrity, and accountability. As stewards of public, private, and philanthropic funds, we work to maximize impact—ensuring resources fuel opportunity, drive results, and create lasting value for the people and businesses we serve.

Illustration of a light bulb with gear icon in the middle.

Innovation

By thinking creatively and acting boldly, we design solutions that meet today’s workforce needs and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Our work sparks fresh opportunities for career seekers and businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

A sketch of a medal with a Chicago star.

Quality

Excellence isn’t a destination—it’s a mindset. We’re committed to delivering outstanding service, continuously improving, and growing alongside the people, employers and communities we serve.

A sketch of overlapping circles.

Transparency

We lead with openness and accountability. By clearly sharing our goals, actions, and results, we earn trust and build stronger partnerships. Transparency ensures that together with our stakeholders, there is an understanding of our path forward and the way we will measure success.

Illustration of 3 hands joining together.

Collaboration

Lasting impact is built through collective effort. We cultivate partnerships across every level, regional to national, to drive shared progress in workforce and economic development. By uniting all voices and resources, we create meaningful connections that expand opportunity for individuals and businesses alike.

Illustration of two hands holding a heart shape.

Dignity of Work

We believe a career is more than a job; it is a pathway to purpose, pride, and progress. When people are empowered to grow through a meaningful career, businesses thrive and communities flourish. We invest boldly in people, in their potential, their talents, and their futures, because they are the foundation of a stronger, more equitable economy.

A sketch showing a group of three people with different features.

Equity

We intentionally provide the resources and supports people need to reach their full economic and human potential. We actively work to eliminate disparities people experience based on race/ethnicity, disability, background, gender, age, sexual orientation, or economic and educational status. Our focus includes serving those who may have barriers to employment, such as lack of required skills or certifications, limited work experience, lack of digital literacy, facing a language barrier, mental or physical disabilities or having been justice involved. We partner with employers who share our belief and are committed to the idea that all residents of our region can achieve a meaningful career that provides family-sustaining income.

Illustration of a hand holding money.

Financial Responsibility

We honor the trust placed in us by managing every dollar with purpose, integrity, and accountability. As stewards of public, private, and philanthropic funds, we work to maximize impact—ensuring resources fuel opportunity, drive results, and create lasting value for the people and businesses we serve.

Illustration of a light bulb with gear icon in the middle.

Innovation

By thinking creatively and acting boldly, we design solutions that meet today’s workforce needs and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Our work sparks fresh opportunities for career seekers and businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

A sketch of a medal with a Chicago star.

Quality

Excellence isn’t a destination—it’s a mindset. We’re committed to delivering outstanding service, continuously improving, and growing alongside the people, employers and communities we serve.

A sketch of overlapping circles.

Transparency

We lead with openness and accountability. By clearly sharing our goals, actions, and results, we earn trust and build stronger partnerships. Transparency ensures that together with our stakeholders, there is an understanding of our path forward and the way we will measure success.

Meet the Team Working for You

We are a team of passionate professionals united by a shared commitment to economic growth across Chicago and suburban Cook County’s workforce development system. Collaboratively, we strengthen services, maximize resources, and fuel workforce development.

George Wright
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Michael Balcsik Title
Director of Risk
Claudia Regalado
Director of Program Relationship Management
Ebony Johnson
Director of Human Resources
Susan Massel
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Amy Santacaterina
Director of Program Guidelines and Budgets
Pilar Trejo
Director of Program Performance
James Kobylinski
Interim Director of Finance
NameTitle
Balcsik, MichaelDirector of Risk
Batey, MarionBusiness Relations Specialist
Brannigan, KathleenManager of Policy and Impact
Bustamante, TheresaExecutive Assistant
Bykerk, CarlyAssociate Director, Program Performance
Caldwell, TinaProgram Coordinator
Carlson, DannyProgram Compliance Monitor
Caston, MarkshonAccounts Payable and Billing Specialist
Chaidez, ZaidaRegional Manager
Correa, RosalvaAccounts Payable and Billing Specialist
Elliott, ThadiusFinance and Grants Manager
Fielder, GeorgeFinance Compliance Monitor
Flowers, KimberlyAccounts Payable and Billing Specialist
Francis, ReneeManager of Program Relationship Management
Garcia, AbramAssociate Director of Program Guidelines and Budgets
Gonzalez, PedroIT Manager
Gonzalez, SergioTechnical Skills Trainer
Graham-McElroy, ValExecutive Assistant/Office Manager
Griffin, KendallBusiness Applications Specialist
Haag, JosephProgram Compliance Monitor
Hall, GladysProgram Monitor, Equal Opportunity Officer
Hawkes, DelaneyFinance Compliance Monitor
Holton, JohnInterim Manager of Government and Business Relationship
Horn, EricOperational Training and Development Lead
Johnson, EbonyDirector of Human Resources
Jones, VeliceProject Manager
Ko, CaroleManager of Program Compliance
Kobylinski, JimInterim Director of Finance
Kozak, RenataHR Coordinator
Lewis-Weaver, SarahProgram Compliance Monitor
Marquez, RosaOccupational Training Coordinator
Marshall, DannyProgram Coordinator
Martin, CarrieSenior Contract Specialist
Massel, SusanDirector of Communications and External Affairs
Montanez, JuliaDatabase and Application Analyst
Moore, PatriciaBusiness Relations Specialist
Morrison, NicholeProgram Coordinator
Ortega, IreneProgram Compliance Monitor
Ortiz-Rivera, SylviaContract Specialist
Ramirez, JesusGraphic Designer and Visual Content Specialist
Randle, DoraRegional Manager
Regalado, ClaudiaDirector of Program Relationship Management
Rivera, PabloHuman Resources Administrator
Robinson, TonyaBusiness Relations Specialist
Rodriguez, CynthiaProgram Manager
Salas, YadiraFinance and Grants Accountant
Santacaterina, AmyDirector of Program Guidelines and Budgets
Shaw, NicoleExecutive Assistant/Board Secretary
Strom, ChrisManager of Financial Compliance
Swanson, DaveSenior Project Manager
Trejo, PilarDirector of Program Performance
Valentin, CarlosProgram Coordinator
Vinson, CassieProgram Coordinator
Vizueta, VictorBusiness Relations Specialist
Williams, JoshuaProgram Coordinator
Wright, GeorgeChief Executive Officer
Wright, LakiaFinance and Grants Accountant
Yameen, RhondaExecutive Assistant

Board of Directors

Our nonprofit board of directors provides strategic guidance and high-level oversight for The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. As stewards of the organization’s mission, board members focus on accountability, impact, and long-term success. Their leadership helps ensure that all our programs, partnerships, and investments serve the evolving needs of career seekers, employers, and communities across Chicago and Cook County.

Jacki Robinson - Ivy, Co-Chair
Northern Trust
Haven Allen, Co-Chair
mHUB
Adam Hecktman
For Good Advisory
Pam McDonough
McDonough Enterprises
Liisa Stark
Union Pacific Railroad

Annual Reports

Each year, we reflect on our progress and share our impact through this Annual Report—an expression of our commitment to transparency, one of our core value pillars. The stories and data within these pages highlight how our values—inclusion, innovation, collaboration, quality, stewardship, and the dignity of work—come to life across Chicago and Cook County. Together with our partners, we continue to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for all.

A group of professional people cutting the ceremonial red ribbon to celebrate a new center.
2024 Annual Report
Construction workers at the Jackson Park Mobility Project worksite in Chicago's Jackson Park; September 2022.
2023 Annual Report
A young black woman in a busy talking with an emplyer at a busy hiring event.
2022 Annual Report