Romina N. Castillo

Director of Outreach and Engagement @Chicago Department Of Transportation

Chicago, IL, US

As the first Director of Outreach and Engagement at the Department, I have the opportunity to build and cultivate community relationships and coalitions across the city, define and establish internal engagement practices, goals, and metrics, and identify and secure resources for inclusive engagement efforts. Facilitate training on engagement best-practices and protocols, equity & inclusion, and innovative tools. Manage the Department’s engagement team known as the SAFE Ambassadors. I am also the Department\'s Language Access Coordinator, represent CDOT at the City\'s Engagement Cabinet and in the Chicago is With You Task Force. Other tasks include- Lead a citywide engagement strategy embedding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) into transportation planning and capital projects- Build and cultivate community relationships and coalitions across the city to foster trust and collaboration among community members and city staff- Serve as a public spokesperson and narrative strategist, representing CDOT at national conferences, panels, public events, and city-wide task forces- Define and establish internal engagement practices, goals, and metrics and facilitate departmental trainings to integrate inclusive best-practices and protocols into workflows and outreach efforts- Manage the department’s engagement team operations, funding, strategic planning, program development, and evaluation. Align the program’s workplan and goals with the engagement needs of the department.

University of Illinois Chicago

Master of Urban Planning and Policy, Urban Planning

University of Illinois Chicago

Bachelor's Degree, Architecture