CHANGE Illinois welcomes Nubia Willman and Kris Stewart, our two newest board members, to help our team expand our mission to create an equitable democracy for people across the state of Illinois! Nubia and Kris were nominated and approved to join the Board during our April board meeting. We are very excited about the knowledge, expertise, and experience they bring to the organization. 

Nubia Willman has had an impressive career of public service and advocacy. Currently, Nubia serves as the Chief Programs Officer for Latinos Progresando. In that role, she leads strategic program development, legal operations, capacity building, revenue growth, and budget management. 

Nubia’s career in public service includes time in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Chicago, where she served in a number of roles including the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Engagement Officer. She oversaw the City of Chicago’s census outreach efforts during the 2020 Census. 

Nubia has provided a key role as a public speaker and in leadership development. Nubia founded and launched Latinas Uprising, a digital platform serving over 28,000 young professionals to mentor emerging leaders and increase their civic engagement. 

She received her Juris Doctor from Loyal University Chicago School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University. 

Kris Stewart comes to CHANGE Illinois through the BoardLead program that helps civic and business leaders connect with nonprofits making a meaningful difference in their communities. Kris currently serves as the Assistant Director of State Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kris has an extensive background in fiscal policy – previously working in the Illinois Governor’s Office of Budget and Management – and education policy. 

Kris brings a strategic mindset, data-driven approach, and strong commitment to community impact. Additionally, he brings a much-needed statewide perspective to the CHANGE Illinois’ board living outside of Rockford, Illinois. He is a multi-faceted leader on a mission to use policy, data, and people-centered management practices to do good things.

Kris received a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree from California State University-Long Beach, and master’s and bachelor’s degree in education from Wayne State University.