When people picture Urban Initiatives, they usually see coaches on a field, students at recess, families at the Community Play Cup, or a young person finding confidence through play.
Those moments are made possible by another team. Many participants never meet them, but every one of them is deeply mission driven and committed to our work. They hire staff, manage finances, track grants, maintain technology, process contracts, support culture, and bring hundreds of moving pieces together so programs can happen every day across Chicago.
This is our Operations team, and they are the team behind the team.
More than administration
Urban Initiatives reaches more than 100,000 youth each year across more than 80 schools and community spaces. Serving young people at that scale takes a blend of finance, technology, talent management, planning, and daily problem-solving. The Operations team connects big-picture strategy to day-to-day execution, working alongside every department so great programs happen consistently and sustainably.
Four directors lead this work, and their responsibilities reach nearly every corner of the organization. Tony leads the team and oversees HR and talent operations, making sure staff and coaches have the support they need to succeed. April leads finance and contracts, stewarding resources responsibly and keeping the organization running. Lakita leads operations and culture, supporting the systems and experiences that help teams do their best work. Andrea leads data infrastructure and analysis, helping us understand our impact and make informed decisions.
Together, they help Urban Initiatives deliver on its commitments to youth, schools, families, funders, and partners. As the organization has grown, so has the value of this work. Strong relationships and meaningful impact rest on strong systems, and this team builds them.
Why it matters
Urban Initiatives entered this year with a leaner team and a commitment to strengthen operations while planning for a future of sustained and growing impact. Across the organization, teams kept serving youth, launching partnerships, and preparing for the next phase of growth. Operations worked behind the scenes to help teams turn their plans into reality.
That is what makes this team an essential part of our edge as an organization. Strong systems make Urban Initiatives a responsible steward of every dollar.
They let the organization adapt when conditions change. They keep high-quality experiences reaching young people across Chicago, day after day. They keep programs efficient and core functions centralized, so impact stays consistent.
Play is what people see. The systems behind it are what make it possible, and the people who build them are proud to help create every one of those moments.
Big thank you to our incredible Operations Team! #Teamwork
