Staff

The work of the 63rd Street Growth Commission is carried out by dedicated staff members who are supported by the staff of Greater Southwest Development Corporation, as well as our Board of Commissioners and the network of local business owners who participate in strategic planning.

Nick Kollias
Commercial Director

Nick Kollias attended Roosevelt University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and continuing on to earn a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Nick’s role as Secretary of the International Student Government at Roosevelt University contributed to the skills he uses today to work effectively with an ethnically diverse group of business owners.

Nick has participated in numerous research projects related to organizational culture, change management, and design of organizational psychological instruments. He also completed the Chicago Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, Chicago Police Citizen’s Academy, and various other programs in Economic Development around the United States.
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Nick has worked with the 63rd Street Growth Commission for the past three years, assisting hundreds of Southwest Chicago’s small- and mid-sized businesses achieve their goals. His commitment to opening new avenues of communication and partnership channels brings significant value to the southwest Chicago business community.

Denise Fuentes
Marketing Assistant

Denise Fuentes has always loved working with people, which led her quite naturally into a career in customer service. Her customer service roles have varied, including working as an Eye Glass specialist at an eye clinic in Brighton Park, as a Customer Service Representative at a large retailer, as a legal assistant in a Downtown Chicago law firm, and as an Auto Claims Adjuster.

Denise joined Greater Southwest Development Corporation as its Office Manager, but her artistic side opened the door for her promotion to Marketing Assistant. In this capacity she assists the Growth Commission in its work, helping create flyers and postcards, plan and promote events, arrange workshops, and provide support during the funding application process.

Born in Texas, Denise was raised in Chicago’s Brighton Park area and is bilingual, speaking and writing English and Spanish fluently.

Please contact us with questions or to learn more about the work of the 63rd Street Growth Commission.