Meet the Team
Executive
Ryan Lessam
Founder
Gigi Baio
Executive Assistant
University of Illinois Chicago
Kate Black
Executive Assistant
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kierstyn Herrmann
Executive Assistant
University of Illinois Chicago
Accounting and Finance
Chris Hames
Team Lead Manager
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Joshua MacLeod
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Rachel Bui
Intern
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Communications and Grants
Shreya Surapaneni
Communications Director, Grant Writer
University of Chicago
Graphic Design
Zoe McClure
Lead Designer
University of Illinois Chicago
Walker Olson
Graphic Designer
Columbia College Chicago
Amelie Lovato
Graphic Designer
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Grecia Lopez-Macias
Illustrator
Columbia College Chicago
Human Resources
Sophia Zhang
HR Manager
University of Chicago
Journalism
Ashley Staszak
Journalist
Loyola University Chicago
Legal
Joshua MacLeod
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Marketing and Presentation
Nathaniel Bove
Team Lead
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Photography and Videography
Alex Bingham
Chief Photographer
Columbia College Chicago
Alx Denise
Photographer
Columbia College Chicago
Quaid Cahill
Videographer
DePaul University
Grace Carreon
Videographer
DePaul University
Ella Freimuth
Videographer
Sarah Lill
Videographer
DePaul University
Public Relations
Liz Salto
Manager
University of Illinois Chicago
Charlize Batang
Assistant Manager
Columbia College Chicago
Gigi Baio
Team Member
University of Illinois Chicago
Kate Black
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kierstyn Herrmann
Team Member
University of Illinois Chicago
Barbara Riendeau
Team Member
Ashley Staszak
Team Member
Loyola University Chicago
Social Media
Charlize Batang
Team Manager
Columbia College Chicago
Rachel Bui
Team Manager
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Emily Androwich
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Amelie Lovato
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Karen Ocampo
Team Member
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Alessandra Rodrigues
Team Member
Loyola University Chicago
Web Development
Krish Patel
Lead Web Developer
University of Illinois Chicago
Prativa Khatiwada
Web Developer
University of Illinois Chicago
Sophia Zhang
Web Developer
University of Chicago
Past Contributers
We would also like to recognize the talented college students who made valuable contributions to Chicago Love before moving forward in their careers. In particular, thank you to Kageliza Liggins (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), former Creative Director of Social Media, and Tess Peters (Columbia College Chicago), former Lead Graphic Designer and Apparel Designer.