OUR TEAM

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. 

He/Him

Michael first joined the CCA as Programs Manager in February 2024 and was promoted to Director of Programs in April 2025. During his time with the Chicago Cultural Alliance he has supported and now oversees the planning of a variety of programs and support services, while also leading the Programs Committee. Programs include: the Annual Meeting of Members, MOSAIC gala, World Dumpling Fest, Journey Chicago series, Leadership Council, Activating Heritage conference, Archives Crawl series, and monthly town halls.

Michael has dedicated his career to helping create pathways to cultural arts education, practice, and implementation that are accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds, and creative endeavors. He holds an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in Music Business and Marketing from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. As a nonprofit arts administrator who has an unrelenting drive to serve the community, Michael focuses on strengthening strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations throughout Chicago. In his previous role as Director of Education, Performing Arts, and Family Engagement for the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA), Michael oversaw PRAA’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, Somos Uno; PRAA’s community music school for youth – the Latin Music Project Center; and in-school/after school music enrichment programs at 12-15 Chicago Public Schools partner sites — which served over 1,500 students and families annually. Michael continues to strive for cross-cultural program equity in the humanities for youth, adults, and families throughout Chicago.

She/Her

Pooja Das is an enthusiastic Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist with a mission to drive positive change in cross-cultural workplaces. She holds 4 master’s degrees in the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, M.A. In Education and English from Gauhati University and another M.A. in Education from Indira Gandhi National Institute of Open Schooling, India. 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.

Believing in “Sharing is Caring,” Pooja has volunteered for various organizations, fostering a culture of shared success. Now, as an I/O Psychologist, she brings this ethos to the corporate world, promoting mutual support and community-driven progress. Specifically interested in Marketing, Consulting, DEI, Leadership, and HR-related areas, her expertise lies in research-based approaches. 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.

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.

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 management, and media relations. David holds a B.A. in Graphic Design from University of the Arts, London.