chicago cultural alliance
alliance staff
Dr. Mónica Félix
Executive Director
She/Her/Ella
Mónica stepped into her role as Executive Director of the Chicago Cultural Alliance in early 2022. With the Alliance’s dedicated Board of Directors and staff, she is helping to bring about the next generation of professional development programs, knowledge exchanges between centers, and impactful programming.
She began her career in public humanities with her role as the Museum Director of the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center in Chicago. Her nonprofit leadership experience continued when she stepped into the role of Chief Administrative Officer of the American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA), the principal learned society in the United States for scholars whose work involves several literatures and cultures.
Mónica Félix has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago with specializations in German and Russian literature and a B.A. in German and Linguistics from Lawrence University.
ilana bruton
Director of Programs
She/Her
Ilana brings more than 20 years of experience creating audience-centered programs that strengthen cultural organizations and connect communities through shared stories and experiences.
Before joining the Chicago Cultural Alliance, Ilana served as Director of Interpretation and Engagement at Adler Planetarium, where she led cross-functional teams in developing exhibitions and public programs and served as interpretive lead for major exhibitions. Previously, she spent eight years at the Chicago History Museum, where she developed public programs and community partnerships that connected Chicagoans with the city’s history. Beyond her museum work, Ilana served as Leadership Institute Chair for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Chicago, supporting the development of emerging nonprofit leaders.
Ilana holds a Master of Arts in Museum Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Michigan State University.
Pooja das
Operations Manager
Pooja first came to the Chicago Cultural Alliance as a rockstar volunteer in 2023, then served as a marketing intern while completing her Master’s degree at the Chicago School. Following the successful completion of the internship, the CCA was thrilled to bring Pooja onto the team full-time as an Operations Manager in July 2024. In this role, she provides diligent administrative support to all CCA services and programs. During her time with the CCA, Pooja has been instrumental in managing volunteers for all major CCA events and has played a key role on the planning for programs including the Annual Meeting of Members, MOSAIC Gala, World Dumpling Fest, Leadership Council, and the Activating Heritage Conference.
Pooja is an enthusiastic Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist with a mission to drive positive change in cross-cultural workplaces. Fueled by a relentless pursuit of excellence, she brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to optimize business strategies. A fast and willing learner, Pooja aims to provide evidence-based solutions in marketing, consulting, DEI, leadership, and HR. Transitioning from teaching, her adaptability makes her a versatile asset in the ever-evolving landscape of organizational dynamics. Her background in developmental psychology, acquired during her teaching tenure, equips her with a profound understanding of individual growth. This lens guides her in nurturing and developing employees to their full potential. She leverages assessments, surveys, and data-driven methodologies to inform strategic decision-making. Excited about applying her diverse experience, Pooja addresses employee needs, aligning them with organizational goals. Her goal is to facilitate a harmonious synergy between individuals and business objectives, contributing to overall success and growth.
David carling
Design & Marketing Manager
He/Him
David has over a decade of experience in design and marketing. His design journey began as a solopreneur and founder of Carling Imagery, a freelance graphic design and artistic business. He is the founder of FutureNotion Designs.
His professional journey later led him to serving as a Director at F. Woodward Graphic Design in Chicago where he oversaw all design projects and took a leadership role in overseeing all business operations. He is thrilled to apply his many years of bringing brands to life through communications and design.
His current responsibilities with the Chicago Cultural Alliance include refreshing the brand identity, designing all marketing collateral, curating two bimonthly newsletters, crafting dedicated email campaigns, website design & management, and media relations. David holds a B.A. in Graphic Design from University of the Arts, London.
