Anita Denes-Meador is Chief Program Officer of JCC Chicago; she has been with the agency since 2018. Previously, Anita served as the Director of the Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center (EZRA), a Jewish United Fund-affiliated social service agency administered by JCC Chicago that works to prevent hunger, reduce isolation, and mitigate other self-sufficiency barriers. She began her work at EZRA in 2005 and held several positions such as Assistant Director, Program Manager, and Singer Residence Director where she managed the interim housing program that served homeless individuals and families.
Anita received her B.A in Sociology from Loyola University and has dual M.A degrees from the University of Michigan in Urban Planning and Social Work, focused on Community Organization and Community and Social Systems. She holds a Certificate in Jewish Leadership from the Spertus Institute in partnership with Northwestern University. She is a graduate of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership and recently received her advanced certificate in Childhood Development: Preschool Education from Chicago City Colleges. Anita lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
