Mayor-elect Emanuel today named Mona Noriega as the next Commissioner of the Department of Human Relations.

"During the transition, my team strove to include a rich diversity of perspectives and called on Chicagoans to be involved in developing solutions for our city,"  said the Mayor-elect.  "Mona has a proven record bringing Chicagoans together on issues that matter to all communities and building coalitions to move our city forward. With her deep appreciation for the diversity that makes Chicago great and her experience creating partnerships, Mona will be a strong and able leader of Human Relations."

Mona Noriega, Commissioner, Department of Human Relations

Mona Noriega has dedicated her life and career to eliminating prejudice and discrimination and is committed to advancing the appreciation of Chicago's diverse population. She co-founded and served on the Board of Directors of Amigas Latinas, an organization committed to the empowerment and education of Latina LBT women in Chicago. Noriega also worked as the Regional Director of Lambda Legal Defense's Midwest office, which advances the civil rights of LGBT individuals. As an Assistant Publisher for the Windy City Times, she directed marketing efforts and managed client relationships for the paper. Additionally, Noriega has served as the board chair for the Girl's Best Friend Foundation. Noriega received her MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her BA from Northeastern Illinois University.