OUR TEAM
CAFHA has grown and diversified its staff capacity and resources to more effectively advocate for housing equity and structural change. We are proud of our amazing team.
Co-Executive Director
GIANNA BAKER
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Gianna Baker is the Co-Executive Director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA). She has 15 years of experience in community development, community organizing, and policy advocacy. She previously worked at Housing Action Illinois where she was responsible for affordable housing advocacy efforts, managing the statewide membership program and overseeing the network of AmeriCorps VISTAs. She was also an adjunct professor at Loyola University of Chicago’s Institute for Pastoral Studies, where she taught a graduate course on the principles of community organizing. Gianna is a board member of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County. Gianna earned her M.A. in Community Development from North Park University and her B.A. from Howard University.
Co-Executive Director
PATRICIA FRON
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Patricia Fron is the Co-Executive Director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA) jointly leading the organization’s policy and advocacy initiatives. Patricia is a go-to expert on innovative fair housing research that brings to light long-time disparities in housing based on systemic discrimination. At the core of her work is a passion for building strong partnerships to advance fair housing justice efforts. Patricia previously worked at the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing advocating for tenant rights and conducting original research and reporting on foreclosure and displacement. Over the years, Patricia has authored several reports and articles, including the region’s first Fair Housing and Equity Assessment in 2013. Patricia received her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago.
Communications & Training
Manager
ABDI MAYA
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Abdi Maya is the Communications and Training Manager for CAFHA. She has over 15 years of experience in training, public relations, communications, and marketing. She previously served as the Community Relations Officer for the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) where she was responsible for coordinating statewide outreach and education efforts, legal training, and the development of multi-language agency materials. Abdi also led the Interagency Committee of Employees with Disabilities (ICED), a State commission dedicated to promoting and expanding State employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Abdi holds an undergraduate degree in Politics and Government from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration from National-Louis University. She is a certified trainer and facilitator.
MARIA MOON
Senior Housing Justice Organizer
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Maria Moon is CAFHA's Senior Housing Justice Organizer and manager of the Community Navigators Program. Maria works with impacted individuals to build leaders who assist CAFHA in defining and leading its advocacy initiatives. She provides education on the Cook County Just Housing Amendment and connects individuals to legal assistance, housing resources, and re-entry services. Maria previously served as a community organizer with Cabrini Green Legal Aid and has served as a facilitator of Visible Voices, a peer support group for formerly incarcerated women. She was a part of the successful passage of the Illinois Record Sealing and Expansion Bill, and the Illinois Women’s Correctional Services Act (WCA), passed in 2017. Maria is a trained Peace Circle Keeper, filmmaker, spoken word artist.
Housing Justice Organizer
SHARON NORWOOD
Sharon Norwood is a CAFHA Housing Justice Organizer and main point of contact for our Tenant Leader Board. As a dedicated member of the Illinois Coalition for Fair Housing, she has helped advance fair housing protections through her participation in local campaigns including the passage of HB 2775, the statewide prohibition of source of income discrimination bill, and the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance, which created new protections for 245,000+ suburban renters households. She previously served as Community Organizer with Working Family Solidarity where she rallied support for a variety of legislative and outreach efforts. Sharon was recently featured in WTTW Chicago's Firsthand: Segregation documentary series that explores the impact of racial divisions on individuals, the city, and the region.
Outreach Coordinator
Andre Ruddock
Andre Ruddock is CAFHA's newest team member. As Outreach Coordinator, Andre works with our Senior Housing Justice Organizer to support reentry housing advocacy initiatives and CAFHA’s Community Navigators Program. Andre facilitates workshops and presentations to educate community members about the Cook County Just Housing Amendment and renters' rights. Andre is a dedicated grassroots organizer, activist, and volunteer. He is the founder of Returning Citizens In Memory of Henry Dee (RCHD), a nonprofit serving formally incarcerated individuals. Andre is deeply committed to social justice and rehabilitation. In addition to his activism, Andre is also a skilled semi-truck driver, showcasing his versatility and ability to navigate different spheres.
Photography by: Diana Solis Photography