Partnership welcomes new Program Officer

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The Partnership for New Communities is pleased to announce that Dena Al-Khatib soon will join the organization as program officer.

Al-Khatib brings over 10 years’ experience in community planning and affordable-housing development and has worked closely with the Chicago Housing Authority, other city agencies and community organizations. Most recently, Al-Khatib served as Executive Director of the Chicago Community Land Trust – a nonprofit organization administered and staffed by the City’s Department of Community Development – which works to preserve the long-term affordability of homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households.

“I am incredibly excited to join The Partnership," said Al-Khatib. “I'm looking forward to helping create opportunities for public-housing residents and contributing to the revitalization of communities affected by Chicago’s Plan for Transformation.”

In addition to serving as manager of LISC’s Humboldt Park New Communities Program at Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, Al-Khatib’s background includes roles as a senior loan and program officer at the Chicago Community Loan Fund, acting executive director for the Near West Side Community Development Corporation and summer program analyst at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C.

“We’re thrilled to have Dena on board,” said Maria Hibbs, Executive Director of The Partnership. “Her deep knowledge of Chicago communities, understanding of housing and workforce issues and analytical abilities will be extremely valuable to our work.”

While at Bickerdike, Dena identified and implemented housing development projects from planning through construction.  She also managed a task force of more than 40 community residents, organizations and city officials to develop a shared community vision and create a five-year Quality of Life Plan addressing housing, economic development, education, employment, health, youth, safety and open space.

A native Chicagoan, Al-Khatib earned her bachelor’s degree at Marquette University and Master of Urban Planning and Policy degree at the University of Illinois-Chicago.  She is an avid bicyclist, which helps off-set her other loves, cooking and eating. 

 

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