Lead Event Producer & Operations
Do Division & West Fest | 2025–2026
I grew up going to Chicago street festivals, so spending two seasons working behind the scenes at Do Division and West Fest gave me a completely new perspective on what it takes to bring these events to life.
These festivals are more than a celebration. They are the West Town Chamber of Commerce’s largest annual fundraisers and play an important role in supporting the neighborhood’s small-business community.
My role included managing vendors, artists, media, sponsors, volunteers, bar operations, and on-site logistics. In 2026, I secured $65,000 in sponsorships and coordinated the artist and creative process for the festival poster.
75+ vendors managed per festival
40,000 attendees per weekend
$65,000 in sponsorships secured in 2026
100 volunteers coordinated across two seasons
Local nonprofit partnerships managed
Interested in partnering with the West Town Chamber of Commerce for the 2027 season? Reach out at festivals@westtownchamber.org.
Community Builder & Event Host
Chicago | May 2024–December 2025
In May 2024, I started an Instagram account to document studying for my real estate exam. Somewhere along the way, it became a way to create community.
I began hosting events as an excuse to try things I thought would be fun and see who showed up. What started with a few friends grew into a regular rhythm of gatherings shared through Instagram and a monthly email list.
Over time, the events expanded beyond my immediate circle and brought together people who otherwise may never have met. Becoming a Pie app ambassador helped the community grow even further.
47 events hosted
750+ attendees
120+ person email list
Pie app ambassador
Community Event Organizer
Noble Square, Chicago | June 21, 2025
In June 2025, I organized the first-ever block party on Cortez Street. I spent weeks walking the cul-de-sac with a clipboard, introducing myself to neighbors and collecting the signatures needed to secure a city permit.
I programmed a full day of music and activities, using my bedroom balcony as a stage for DJs and my friend Liska, our live headliner. We also had a free dance class from the studio down the block, a caricature artist, grilling, volleyball, chalk art, a water balloon fight, and a visit from the local fire department to open the hydrant.
More than 200 neighbors came through that day. At one point, a woman named Carol introduced herself to me as “the oldest person on the block.” She had lived there since she was seven and told me she had never seen the street closed for a block party. That moment meant a lot to me. I hosted the party two weeks before moving away, and it remains one of my favorite examples of building community from the ground up.
First-ever block party on Cortez Street
200+ attendees
50%+ of dwelling units signed in support
Local businesses and civic partners engaged
Program Development & Community Engagement
West Town, Chicago | 2025
Throughout 2025, I led five neighborhood-wide initiatives designed to bring people into West Town and create new opportunities for local businesses, artists, and community members to connect. Together, the programs created a year-round rhythm of dining, wellness, art, shopping, and seasonal events.
My role spanned program development, participant recruitment, partnerships, sponsorships, marketing, and on-site coordination. At the center of my work was direct relationship-building. I personally visited restaurants, shops, galleries, and wellness businesses throughout West Town to invite them to participate, understand what they needed, and listen to their ideas for making each initiative stronger.
I used that feedback to shape programming that was valuable to participating businesses and engaging for the wider neighborhood. This relationship-driven approach helped me grow West Town Restaurant Week, Wellness Week, the West Town Art Walk, and It’s a Wonderful West Town while also launching Fall Crawl, a new passport-based retail event.
Five major neighborhood initiatives led & 150+ businesses engaged throughout the year
Restaurant Week participation increased by 50%
Wellness Week expanded to include five community events
Two 23-stop public art walking tours created and led
Fall Crawl launched with 35 participating businesses
30+ small businesses featured in It’s A Wonderful West Town
Founder & Facilitator
West Town, Chicago | 2025
While working at the West Town Chamber of Commerce, one of the most common questions I heard from neighbors was simple: How can I help? To create an easy, welcoming entry point for getting involved, I founded Volunteering Club, a recurring gathering hosted at local spaces throughout West Town.
Each event featured nonprofit organizations sharing ways to get involved, along with updates on neighborhood programs and events—part community meetup, part in-person newsletter. I facilitated 13 gatherings and built relationships with organizations including Nourishing Hope, Esperanza Community Services, and EcoShip, helping connect residents with meaningful ways to support their community.
13 gatherings hosted
10+ nonprofit organizations represented
Dozens of neighbors connected with service opportunities
Rotating local businesses activated as gathering spaces
Digital Storytelling & Community Engagement
Personal Projects, West Town Chamber of Commerce & The Hivery | Ongoing
Social media is one of my favorite ways to tell stories and build community. My personal account is where I share whatever catches my attention, experiment with ideas, and create recurring projects like May I Ball, my annual basketball challenge.
That same curiosity shapes my professional work. At the West Town Chamber of Commerce, I grew the Instagram audience by 33% through stronger event storytelling, local business features, and content that helped people connect with the neighborhood.
Today, I create and publish content three to four times a week for The Hivery in Mill Valley, CA. Through event promotions, member stories, reels, and original content, I help capture what is happening within the organization in a way that feels clear, inviting, and human.