Board of Commissioners Biographies
Modesto Valle, Vice President
Modesto Tico Valle is a results-driven executive passionate about advancing social justice and fostering collaboration within diverse teams. With extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to myriad causes, he has spearheaded impactful programs and initiatives. As a thought leader and collaborator, Valle has a proven history of leading with vision and strategic insight in nonprofit management, program development, and community engagement. His leadership style emphasizes diversity, innovation, and creative thinking, recognizing the importance of varied perspectives in achieving our goals.
Valle excels in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, steering key projects and programs, and building meaningful collaborations with stakeholders. As the current Head of External Affairs for Digs with Dignity, He is critical in advancing the organization's mission to provide dignity and stability to those in need through thoughtful home furnishings and support. He is responsible for building and nurturing relationships with key external partners, driving public awareness, and ensuring the organization's growth and sustainability.
Previously, as the Chief Executive Officer of Center on Halsted, the most comprehensive community center in the Midwest dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Chicago, Valle left the organization in 2023, positioning it firmly for a dynamic future. A native of Chicago, he is a longtime community activist and organizer. Valle founded the Chicago Chapter NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1990 and brought the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the National Mall in 1996 with thousands of volunteers. Valle has served as a volunteer and staff member at several Chicago-area non-profits, including Chicago House, Test Positive Awareness Network, and Open Hand Chicago. He served as the organization's first Volunteer Services Director.
Valle attended DePaul University and Holy Cross Seminary School. Additionally, he holds certificates in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa. Valle served on the CenterLink Board of Directors, the board of the NAMES Project Foundation, Equality Education Project, City of Chicago LGBT Health Council, Illinois Violence Prevention Authority Board, City of Chicago Employment Task Force, Welcoming Committee NATO, Illinois HIV/AIDS Advisory Council, Board Member of Horizons Community Services, and the Chicago Children's Choir. He was appointed as a Commissioner for the 快播视频 in 2021. In recognition of his work, Valle has been named Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine, inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, honored by the National NAMES Project Foundation and the Norman Bobbins Leadership Award, and received a Red Ribbon Leadership Award from the State of Illinois, recognized as 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 Crain鈥檚 LGBT Executive Leadership.
Connect with the Board:
- Email: commissioners@chicagoparkdistrict.com
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- Phone: (312) 742-5034