Chris Huaracha joined Equality Illinois in 2013 and serves as the Operations and Administrative Coordinator at our downtown office. He works with and supports all departments within the organization. Chris also helps to facilitate and coordinate fundraising events. In addition, he works on implementing best industry practices to create controls and efficiencies throughout the organization.
Originally from the Cleveland suburbs and the Houston area, Chris attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he received his Bachelors degree in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs, and minors in European Studies, French, and Geography. He brings over 6 years of operations and finance experience from a variety of industries. He initially began working for a biotech firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began his career in accounting. Chris later relocated to Chicago, where he held positions in accounting, finance, and human resources in the legal and e-commerce industries.
After a hiatus from the corporate world, Chris decided to focus and utilize his skills for nonprofits. This came after volunteering for organizations like the Lakeview Pantry, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Center on Halsted. Just prior to working at Equality Illinois, he was a finance associate with a nonprofit that provided financial advisory services to the banking community in developing economies in Africa and Asia, to give access to capital to underserved segments of the population to help them get out of poverty. Once approached to work Equality Illinois, he jumped on the opportunity to work with the LGBTQ community and fight for equality.