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Vanessa Uribe
Vanessa Uribe serves as the Deputy Director for the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Vanessa leads efforts to create an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth. Through dynamic partnerships, targeted outreach, technical assistance, and tailored programs and initiatives, OMEE provides minority-, women-, persons with disabilities and veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state with equitable access to opportunities and resources.
Vanessa previously managed strategic initiatives for Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, including nationally recognized public-private partnerships and special programs like the 2020 Census. Before transitioning to government, Vanessa managed the national affiliate network for Unidos US, the largest Latinx civil rights organization in the country, connecting grassroots community organizations to federal policy priorities and capacity-building opportunities. Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.