Cristina Pacione-Zayas, PhD, is serving as the First Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Brandon Johnson, with a demonstrated track record of effectively working in Illinois General Assembly schools, community and advocacy organizations, with skills in Early Childhood Policy, Family Engagement, Policy Analysis, Latine Studies, Political Strategy, Restorative Justice, and Education Policy. Dr. Pacione-Zayas served in the Illinois State Senate on the Education, Health, Higher Education, Human Rights and Revenue committees. She also serves on the Illinois Early Learning Council executive committee, Illinois State Team of the BUILD Initiative, and Title V Needs Assessment Advisory Committee for the State’s federally-mandated Maternal and Child Health Services. Her service in Chicago Public Schools and Enlace Chicago built a track record for leveraging community partnerships, implementing restorative justice practices, and supporting the leadership of young people, parents, and educators.