Fellows Named 2026 Chicago Latino Network Honorees
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas President Maria Bocanegra (Daniel Burnham Fellow), Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Vice President of Education and Chief Learning and Community Partnership Officer Dr. Jessica Chavez (LGC Fellow since 2025), and WTTW and WFMT President and CEO Sandra Cordova Micek (Daniel Burnham Fellow) will be honored by Chicago Latino Network on October 14 as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Chicago History Museum.
Maria, the first Latina to lead a major Illinois utility, will receive the 2026 Bridge Builder Award for uniting business, government, labor, educators and community partners across Illinois. Jessica will receive the 2026 Chicago Catalyst Award for expanding access to hands-on STEM learning and building partnerships that connect schools, nonprofits, industry and communities. Sandra will receive the 2026 Culture Shaper Award for her leadership across two of Chicago’s most important media institutions and her advocacy for Latino leadership development.