Ivonne Uquillas brings 10 years of community engagement experience to her role. She was born in Quito, Ecuador and was raised in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for community engagement stems from her time as an undergraduate student at Northern Illinois University (NIU). While at NIU she graduated with her Masters degree in Education in School Counseling and obtained her Professional Educator License. 

As a professional, Ivonne began her career advancing educational opportunities at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission where she assisted students navigate life after high school. She also took pride in her ability to bridge language gaps between Spanish speaking families and the school system.  

In the field of mental health, Ivonne expanded her skills as Program Manager and Dementia Care Specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association in Fort Worth. Due to her exposure to different communities and needs, mental health was the common denominator and is what led her to seek a role in The Foundation. 

Outside her work, Ivonne spends time with her family and seeks opportunities to nutrition herself and family through food, play, and exercise.