LIFT-Chicago is excited to announce that Alberto Ortega is joining LIFT-Chicago’s Regional Advisory Board.
Alberto currently serves as Director of Community Relations at Sodexo USA, a global food and facilities firm. At Sodexo, Alberto bridges access to leaders in business, community and government. He builds partnerships with stakeholders in the areas of education, health and wellness and workforce development to “create shared value” in Chicago’s communities. Before joining Sodexo, Alberto founded the Workforce Employer Resource Collaborative (WERC), a network of nonprofit organizations that aims to match employers with qualified workers, connect people to family-sustaining wage jobs, and customizes strategies to enhance recruitment and retention.
Outside of the office, Alberto is a leader in Chicago. He currently serves on several boards and leadership councils across Chicago. Some of Alberto’s current civic leadership roles include Emerging Leadership Council Member for The Chicago Commons, Vice President of ALPFA Cares, Board Member of the Center for Economic Progress, and Board Member of La Case Norte.
Alberto holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master’s Degree from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.
“I’m pumped that Alberto’s joining this remarkable group,” said Ben Reuler, Executive Director of LIFT-Chicago. “Sodexo has been a steadfast ally of LIFT’s; Alberto knows LIFT well and is psyched about our work. He’s a fascinating man: part social worker, part businessman, part non-profit leader; he is a well-respected and well-connected leader in Chicago and most importantly he is a genuinely great guy to be around. Sodexo is lucky to have him and I couldn’t be more thrilled that he will be carrying the torch on the LIFT-Chicago Regional Advisory Board.”