Polk Bros. Foundation welcomes Jasmine Lopez, Orlando Mayorga, Gabby Nelson and Lexi Nieves to its team; and Jill Cutler to its Board

Polk Bros. Foundation is pleased to welcome four new staff members to our team, and a new director to our Board. We’re excited to introduce all of them here. 

New Staff

“We are thrilled to welcome Jaz, Lexi, Orlando and Gabby to our team,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow. “Their diverse skills, deep expertise, and shared commitment to advancing racial equity are perfectly aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Each brings a unique perspective and passion for driving lasting change in Chicago, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them on board.”

Jasmine “Jaz” Lopez (program assistant) works alongside program officers, providing administrative assistance and supporting aspects of the Foundation’s grantmaking process. Jaz comes to us from a pediatric dental office, where she processed insurances, claims and billing, all while making sure families had a smooth experience. She also managed the office’s social media accounts to connect with families and new patients. She is a proud alumna of Chicago Public Schools and on her way to graduate with an associate’s degree in computer science from City Colleges of Chicago this winter. When not at work, Jaz enjoys spending time with her Yorkie, Frankie, and experimenting with new baking recipes

“I’m excited to join the Foundation’s team and to be part of the incredible work they do to make Chicago a better place for everyone. As someone who grew up here and benefited from Chicago Public Schools, it’s exciting to now have the opportunity to support the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen our communities,” said Jaz.

Orlando “Chilly” Mayorga (program officer) most recently served as the executive director of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission at the Illinois Department of Human Services. Prior to that, he was McCormick Reentry Policy Coordinator with the Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative. In both roles, Orlando championed restorative and transformative policy and initiatives for adults and youth impacted by the criminal legal system. In his years of direct service in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, he served as Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) program manager and director of reentry at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation implementing preventative and intervention programs for people impacted by trauma and who are at the highest risk of violence and incarceration. 

Orlando is a restorative justice practitioner and guided by the principle of In Lakèch —  “You are my other me/Tu eres mi otro yo” — that informs his passion to support people and communities impacted by harm. He holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago, and enjoys playing sports and spending time with family. Outside of work and family, he is deeply committed to community engagement, serving as co-founder of the People’s Liberty Project, a peer-led support group that centers healing from the traumatic effects of structural racism through restorative practices in order to become healthy and powerful advocates for systemic changes.

“I’ve dedicated my career to advocating for systemic changes and supporting communities affected by harm, and I’m excited to continue that work at Polk Bros. Foundation. I look forward to collaborating with the team and continuing partnering with community leaders to create lasting, positive change for Chicago,” said Orlando.

Gabriella “Gabby” Nelson (program officer) has extensive experience in transformative housing strategies and brings a deep commitment to advancing equity through housing. Before joining Polk Bros. Foundation, she served as the director of housing for the Mayor’s Office of Business and Neighborhood Development, where she was pivotal in the passage of a $1.25 billion housing and economic development bond, seeding the nation’s largest municipal social housing revolving loan fund. Gabby also championed the “Cut the Tape” Process Improvement Initiative, focused on streamlining affordable housing and commercial development processes.

Gabby’s prior public sector roles include serving as a senior public policy analyst at the Chicago Department of Housing, where she helped launch a citywide Right to Counsel Pilot Program to provide free legal support to tenants facing eviction. Additionally, at the Safer Foundation, Gabby led the Access to Justice program, delivering critical legal services and Know Your Rights resources to thousands annually. Her advocacy at Safer Foundation helped secure the passage of the Just Housing Ordinance, eliminating barriers to housing for returning residents in Cook County, and Illinois Public Act 101-176, amending the Healthcare Worker Waiver Background Act, which opened pathways to healthcare careers for individuals with records. Gabby is a 2023 Chicago United for Equity Fellow and recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. State Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish from DePaul University.

“My work has always centered on creating opportunities for communities to thrive, and I’m excited to build on that by helping drive solutions that support long-term, transformative change for all Chicagoans,” said Gabby. 

Alexandria (Lexi) Nieves (program assistant) works alongside program officers, providing administrative assistance and supporting aspects of the Foundation’s grantmaking process. 

Lexi comes to us from the Chicago History Museum where she provided administrative and public-facing support for patrons, donors and school groups. She previously supported program and education departments at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, and the Allen Memorial Art Museum in Ohio. Lexi holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Oberlin College. She enjoys hoarding indoor plants, thrifting on days off and currently is trying to learn how to use a sewing machine.  

“I’m thrilled to work alongside such a dedicated team and support the work of our grantee partners. I feel very lucky to be exposed to the breadth of sectors the foundation contributes to and look forward to responding to the needs of our community-led partners,” said Lexi.

New Board Member

Jill Cutler (Polk Bros. Foundation Board) became Polk Bros. Foundation Board of Directors’ newest member at the Board’s August 2024 meeting. She is the granddaughter of Morris Polk, one of the Polk siblings who founded the Polk Bros chain of appliance and retail stores. Jill is program assistant for Fill a Heart 4 Kids in Lake Forest, a nonprofit organization which provides homeless, at risk, and foster children food, critical necessities, life skills and educational support. She has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, most recently as a teacher with Moriah Early Childhood Center. She holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Boston University, and a baking and pastry certificate from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. 

“Joining the Polk Bros. Foundation Board is both an honor and a tremendous responsibility. Over the years, I’ve seen and learned about the incredible work this Foundation has supported to strengthen Chicago’s communities. I feel immense pride in the Foundation’s legacy, and as an educator, I am especially excited about contributing to this meaningful work,” said Jill. 

“I’m so pleased to welcome Jill to our Board,” said Gillian. “As a member of the Polk family, she carries forward the legacy of service and generosity that our Foundation was built on. We’re excited to have her perspective as we continue to deepen the impact of our grantmaking.”