Chris Grady
MPA Candidate | Government Relations | Policy Analysis
Chicago Metropolitan Area, IL
About Me
Dedicated to public service excellence
Results-driven public administration professional with a passion for improving government efficiency and community engagement. Currently pursuing my Master of Public Administration while gaining hands-on experience in local government operations. I bring a unique blend of analytical skills, leadership experience, and a genuine commitment to public service. My goal is to leverage data-driven insights to create meaningful improvements in how government serves its citizens.
Core Competencies
Leadership
Team management & mentorship
Strategic Planning
Goal-oriented execution
Communication
Written & verbal excellence
Policy Analysis
Research & recommendations
Project Management
End-to-end delivery
Problem Solving
Creative solutions
Technical Proficiency
Technical Skills
Professional Skills
Certifications & Training
ICMA Credentialed Manager Candidate
ICMA • 2024
Certified Public Manager (In Progress)
Illinois CPM Program • 2024
FEMA Emergency Management Certificate
FEMA • 2023
Grant Writing Fundamentals
Foundation Center • 2023
Professional Experience
Building expertise through meaningful roles
Administrative Management Intern
InternshipVillage of Glen Ellyn
Municipal government serving 28,000+ residents
- ▸Spearhead comprehensive job description modernization project across 12 departments, improving recruitment efficiency by standardizing role requirements and competencies
- ▸Serve as FOIA Officer assistant, processing 50+ requests and developing streamlined documentation system that reduced response time by 30%
- ▸Collaborate with Public Works department to revise and condense 200-page safety manual, ensuring OSHA compliance while improving accessibility
- ▸Lead cost containment tracking initiative aligned with Village Strategic Plan, identifying $150K+ in potential savings
- ▸Draft policy memoranda for Village Manager on capital projects including the new Event Park development
- ▸Prepare budget narratives for FY2026, incorporating KPIs to meet GFOA budget award standards
Graduate Research Assistant
Part-timeNIU Department of Public Administration
Supporting faculty research and departmental operations
- ▸Conducted literature reviews and data analysis for faculty research on local government performance metrics
- ▸Co-authored research paper on municipal consolidation trends in Illinois, presented at ICMA Regional Conference
- ▸Managed department communications, coordinating with 200+ MPA students and alumni
- ▸Developed and maintained student resource database, improving information accessibility by 45%
- ▸Assisted in organizing professional development workshops with 15+ government practitioners
Constituent Services Representative
Full-timeOffice of Alderman Maria Santos
Chicago City Council - 25th Ward
- ▸Served as primary point of contact for 55,000+ ward residents, resolving 200+ constituent inquiries monthly
- ▸Coordinated community outreach events including town halls, resulting in 40% increase in civic participation
- ▸Tracked and managed infrastructure requests through city 311 system, achieving 95% resolution rate
- ▸Drafted correspondence and briefing materials for Alderman on zoning, licensing, and community issues
- ▸Built relationships with neighborhood organizations, facilitating collaborative problem-solving initiatives
Student Office Assistant
Part-timeUIC Office of Student Affairs
University administration supporting 30,000+ students
- ▸Provided front-line customer service to students, faculty, and visitors with professionalism and efficiency
- ▸Managed scheduling and calendar coordination for department leadership team
- ▸Processed confidential student documentation while maintaining strict FERPA compliance
- ▸Trained and mentored 5 new student employees on office procedures and systems
Education
Academic foundation for public service
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Northern Illinois University
Expected May 2025 • Concentration in Local Government Management
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of Illinois at Chicago
May 2023 • Minor in Business Administration
Key Projects
Impactful work that demonstrates results
Digital Government Transformation Study
Village of Glen Ellyn
Led comprehensive analysis of digital service delivery options, evaluating citizen-facing platforms and internal workflow automation tools. Developed implementation roadmap with cost-benefit analysis and change management recommendations.
📈 Recommendations projected to save 500+ staff hours annually
Municipal Budget Analysis & Forecasting Model
NIU Capstone Project
Developed Excel-based financial forecasting model for mid-sized municipalities, incorporating economic indicators, demographic trends, and historical spending patterns to project 5-year budget scenarios.
📈 Model adopted by 3 partner municipalities for planning purposes
Community Engagement Framework
Chicago 25th Ward
Designed and implemented multi-channel community engagement strategy including social media campaigns, bilingual outreach materials, and resident feedback systems to improve constituent participation.
📈 40% increase in town hall attendance; 60% growth in social media engagement
FOIA Process Improvement Initiative
Village of Glen Ellyn
Conducted process audit of Freedom of Information Act request handling, identified bottlenecks, and drafted memo recommending FOIA software implementation with supporting cost-benefit analysis.
📈 Proposal approved; implementation expected to reduce processing time by 40%
Community Involvement
Board Member
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
2023 - Present
Serve on community development committee, reviewing grant applications and advising on outreach strategies
Volunteer Tax Preparer
VITA Program
2022 - Present
Provide free tax preparation services to low-income families, completing 75+ returns annually
Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters
2021 - Present
Weekly mentorship supporting educational and personal development of high school student
Let's Connect
I'm always interested in discussing opportunities in public administration, local government, or community engagement. Feel free to reach out!