OUR TEAM

She/Her/Ella

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. She began her career in public humanities with her role as the Museum Director of the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center in Chicago. To support new programming for diverse audiences, she formed partnerships with fellow Alliance organizations to plan an International Game Night, secured funding for genealogy resources, and greatly expanded the museum internship program to draw students from across Chicagoland.

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. As the ACLA’s first CAO, she oversaw multi-year planning of the organization’s 3,000-attendee annual meeting, implemented strategic planning, founded a development committee, established a new digital infrastructure, and overhauled the membership management structure.

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.

He/Him

Michael Scott 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.

Michael maintains an active teaching, adjudicating, and performance schedule where he
continues to explore and study many styles of music — offering his students the opportunity to
discover the rich history, heritage, and social diversity of Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods. His
commitment to helping improve the quality of programing, as well as his involvement with
many other educational endeavors, has continued to have a meaningful impact within the
community. It is with this that Michael brings his unique set of experiences and background to
the Chicago Cultural Alliance team — helping contribute to CCA’s commitment to connecting,
promoting, and supporting Chicago’s centers of cultural heritage.

She/Her