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
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 a master's degree in Community Development from North Park University and bachelor's degree from Howard University.
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Co-Executive Director
PATRICIA FRON
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's degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Communications & Training Manager
ABDI MAYA
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 a bachelor's degree in Politics and Government from Illinois State University and a master's of Business Administration from National-Louis University. She is a certified trainer and facilitator.
MARIA MOON
Senior Housing Justice Organizer
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. In this role, Sharon helps engage Housing Choice Voucher holders in a variety of advocacy efforts. She also works to strategically engage federal policymakers on key policy priorities. As a dedicated member of the Illinois Coalition for Fair Housing, Sharon has helped advance fair housing protections through her participation in local campaigns including the passage of HB 2775, the statewide law prohibiting source of income discrimination, and the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Prior to joining CAFHA, Sharon was a Community Organizer with Working Family Solidarity where she rallied support for a variety of legislative and outreach efforts. Sharon was also featured in WTTW Chicago's Firsthand: Segregation documentary series exploring 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
educational workshops to inform community members about the Cook County Just Housing Amendment and renters' rights. Andre is a dedicated grassroots organizer, social justice advocate, and volunteer. Andre has been an integral member of the Housing Choice Partners Participant Advisory Council (PAC) since its inception. Through PAC, he has shed light on issues impacting State policy and reentry programming. Andre is also the founder of Returning Citizens In Memory of Henry Dee (RCHD), a nonprofit serving formally incarcerated individuals. Andre is a skilled semi-truck driver, showcasing his versatility and ability to navigate different spheres.
Director of Advocacy
SHEILA SUTTON
Sheila serves as the Director of Advocacy at CAFHA. For over a decade, Sheila has worked in housing policy, affordable homeownership and renter’s rights. She has successfully led coalitions towards policy victories such as the passage of the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance and has provided support to prospective homebuyers, renters in distress, and women experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining CAFHA, Sheila was Manager at the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC). She also served as Organizer with Housing Action Illinois and previously with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization. The stories of housing injustice from the people she has worked with, as well as her own, have become Sheila's guiding stars for her advocacy and policy work. She holds a master's degree in Global Socio-cultural Studies from Florida International University and a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in Indiana.