Brian manages operations of the Mansueto Institute’s programs, including events, fellowships, and support services, and helps develop strategic programs and partnerships within and outside of the University of Chicago. Prior to joining the institute, Brian held roles both in industry and at the University of Chicago, managing social sector programming and lifelong learning for alumni in the Office of Alumni Relations and Development. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Colorado, a master’s degree in Social Science from the University of Chicago, and a PhD in Anthropological Archaeology from the University of Chicago. His research focused on South Asian colonial urbanism, specifically the processes of abandonment and ruination associated with declining urban environments and the way these spaces come to be reimagined and repurposed by different social groups. His work was supported by a Fulbright scholarship, and he was a William Rainey Harper Dissertation Fellow at the university. He recently authored the book The City of Facades: Archaeology, History, and Urbanism in Velha Goa, published by Primus Books.

Stephen is Senior Research & Evaluation Scientist at Outlier Research and Evaluation at UChicago STEM. His work concentrates on community-based and systemic service responses for youth, education, and community development. Dr. Baker was project director of a multi-year implementation and outcome evaluation of the Community Partnership for Protecting Children Initiative. He also served as project director for the multi-year evaluation of the Children, Youth, and Families Initiative, a project for integrating developmental and specialized services in Chicago neighborhoods. His most recent work has focused on school-centered youth- and community-development and systemic quality improvement systems for afterschool programs. He has served as an instructor for undergraduate and graduate classes at the University of Chicago, including courses on the history of social welfare, data for management and analysis, and research and evaluation. He earned his B.A. from Cornell University, and holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago.

Aimee Giles is the Associate Director for Events and Programs at the Mansueto Institute, overseeing all Institute colloquia, workshops, symposiums, and other events. She will also play an important role in program initiatives and outreach projects. Prior to joining the Institute, Aimee was the Event and Travel Consultant for the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago for well over a decade.  There she oversaw the Institute’s Events and Visitors Program.  Aimee also has an extensive background in corporate event planning.  She volunteers with several nationally recognized organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), Purpose Over Pain and Strides for Peace.  Aimee is the recipient of the Vessel of Strength Award for her dedication to assisting underserved communities.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University.

As Senior Operations Manager, Heidi manages all Institute operations and assists staff with program implementation and support for all initiatives. Heidi is an administrative professional with experience providing operational and project management support in a range of industries. Prior to her experience at the University of Chicago, Heidi served as the Operations Assistant at Krueck and Sexton Architects. She also worked for several years as a Gallery Office Assistant at the School of the Art Institute where she attended from 2011-2015. Heidi holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University. Off campus, she is dedicated to producing ceramics at Lillstreet Art Center.

As Communications Manager at the Mansueto Institute, Elaine oversees all communication channels and develops the communications strategy for the Institute.. Previously, she worked as a communication specialist focusing on public health at Columbia University School of Public Health and NYU Langone Health. She’s also worked as a journalist, reporting on work, technology, law and education; as an English teacher in France; and as a paralegal at the Federal Trade Commission. Elaine holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Northwestern University and grew up in the Chicago area.

Joseph De Leon is an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, pursuing a dual major in Data Science and Urban Studies. He spent the Summer 2024 as a Data Science Fellow with the Local Data Journalism Initiative. During his time in the College, he has utilized GIS software to map the development of urban landscapes along Chicago’s 55th and 63rd Streets throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. He has also employed spatial analysis to research the accessibility of affordable housing developments across diverse Chicago neighborhoods. He is interested in applying data analysis to uncover disparities on topics such as housing accessibility, climate resilience, and transit equity.

Harmonie Ramsden is an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago majoring in Environment, Geography, and Urbanization and minoring in Quantitative Social Analysis. Harmonie took a gap year before attending the College, during which they worked at United Talent Agency’s NextGen Practice and Don’t Waste Durham, a circular economy non-profit. Harmonie has worked across themes like city planning, digital marketing, Gen Z, waste streams, and project management.