SASHA ONGTENGCO | CHAIR +

Sasha Ongtengco started her social impact career in 2011 with Cara Chicago, a nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of generational poverty through a holistic approach that includes quality training, job placement and retention support. In 2013, Cara Chicago launched a mission-driven staffing firm called Cara Connects. As its director, Sasha cultivates a rich network of resources and community relationships to increase the quality of life for motivated job seekers impacted by poverty in Chicago. Cara Connects has worked with NWC since 2016 to bring employment services to Chicago's northwest side communities, most recently through a unique co-location initiative that features a dedicated Staffing Account Manager at the NWC.

Over the years, Sasha developed a deep admiration for NWC's commitment to effectively listen and respond to the needs of Belmont Cragin's residents. To serve on the Board of Directors is a great honor and a deeper expression of investment in the local community, where Sasha seeks to amplify NWC's voice and influence among larger networks. She is most excited about the launch of the NWSCDC and envisions more companies choosing to bring employment and opportunity to the northwest side. In her free time, Sasha enjoys the challenge of adventurous travel with a "less is more approach" - she's known for taking multi-week trips overseas with nothing more than a backpack.

DR. ANGELA FONTES | Executive Director +

Dr. Angela Fontes is the Director of the Behavioral and Economic Analysis and Decision-making (BEAD) program area at NORC at the University of Chicago. At NORC, she oversees academic, foundation, and commercial research focused on economic decision-making and consumer behavior. She is the Principal Investigator on several projects, including the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct investor protection research.

Angela's personal research centers on retirement preparedness and methodologies for the collection of household finance data. Her research can be found in journals such as The Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Health Affairs, The Journal of Family and Economic Issues, The Journal of Women, Politics and Policy, The International Journal of Transportation Research, and Financial Counseling and Planning.

In addition, Angela is adjunct faculty at Northwestern University where she teaches graduate courses in behavioral economics and public policy, policy analysis, and predictive analytics. She holds a Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior and Family Economics with a minor in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

LAURA TREJO | SECRETARY +

Laura Trejo was born in Mexico, raised in California, and has been a longtime resident of Chicago. She is an arts advocate with over ten years of experience working with small and large organizations in the nonprofit sector. She is currently the Program Director, Cultural Resources at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

Laura’s past roles include Program Officer at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Assistant Director at the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, Manager of Studio & Community Programs at SkyART (formerly South Chicago Art Center), Regional Volunteer Coordinator at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Latinos Progresando.

Laura earned an MA in Arts Administration and Policy from the School of the Art Institute and a BA in Studio Art & Art History and a Minor in Digital Art from the University of California, Irvine. Laura is the Chair of the Auxiliary Board at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

ZAIR MENJIVAR | MEMBER +

Zair Menjivar is an impassioned lifelong Belmont Cragin resident, who has worked for the past six years to improve the quality of life in his community. In his current role, Zair works for the non-profit, Equiticity, which works to improve racial equity and transportation infrastructure in the city's North Lawndale community.

He first learned of the Northwest Center in 2017, when him, along with his older brother, joined the Belmont Cragin Youth Leadership Council. In this role, Zair organized around transportation inequities in the community, which saw unprecedented investments in new bike lanes, bike locks, and Divvy bike share stations throughout the past two years.

He is currently entering his fourth year at UIC as he pursues a Bachelor's degree in political science, with a minor in Human Resource Management. In his free time, Zair loves to workout at the gym and ride his bike to the lake.

DIANA MIRELES | MEMBER +

Diana's involvement with the NWC began as block club leader in 2017, and from there she grew into an active community leader. She is the current president of Blackhawk Park Advisory Council, and is a retired quality engineer for B-Way Packaging. She has lived in Belmont Cragin for more than 45 years, is a Foreman High School graduate, and her first job was right here in the community at Parkview Metal Projects.

Diana is connected to our Avenues for Growth Plan and is involved in our small business community development efforts. She cares most about getting community members involved in making Belmont Cragin a stronger, safer, closer-knit community.

She shared: "My hope for the NWC is to continue being as effective as we are, and to stay in Belmont Cragin championing all of us. Whenever I needed help, this is where I go."

JOSHUA PONCE | MEMBER +

Joshua Ponce is a community leader and serves as a campus pastor of New Life Covenant Church in the Northwest side of Chicago. He has lived in Chicago all of his life in the Humboldt Park and Logan Square communities. Joshua and his wife moved to the Belmont Cragin area in 2016 and currently are residents and leaders in the community.

Joshua first learned about the NWC through a pastor who was heavily involved with the organization. As a board member he brings the opportunity to engage with the community. His hope for NWC is to see the organization as a leading champion in the community promoting healthy, growing relationships.