Letter From Our Founding Executive Director
Berto Aguayo
October 23, 2024
Dear community,
It is with immense gratitude that I share with you that I will be transitioning from my role as Executive Director of Increase The Peace (ITP) to a member of the Board of Directors later this month. After eight years leading this work, it is time to pass the torch. Staying true to our mission of developing leaders, I am thrilled to announce that our Board of Directors has chosen our very own Monserrat E. Ayala as my successor and the next Executive Director of ITP.
Monse is an extraordinary and compassionate leader who has been with ITP since its inception. From leading critical youth programs to spearheading our most impactful community initiatives, she has demonstrated the vision, commitment, and heart that will guide ITP into an even brighter future. As someone deeply rooted in the organization's growth, Monse is uniquely positioned to take ITP to new heights, and I will remain actively involved in supporting her vision as a member of the Board of Directors.
Next month, I will also be sworn in as an attorney, marking the beginning of my legal career at K&L Gates, a global law firm with an office here in Chicago. While I focus on becoming the best lawyer I can be, I will continue to work on securing the financial resources necessary to support ITP, our incredible team, and the youth we serve.
I transition from this role at a pivotal moment for ITP. Together, we’ve achieved incredible milestones: from working out of my mother’s garage to opening our very own office on the same block where I grew up. We began with a small seed grant from the Chicago Community Trust and have since increased our budget by over 1,000%. We’ve also expanded the scope of our work from youth programming to include free legal aid services, multicultural unity initiatives, public health services, and much more. With your support, ITP has built an amazing team that has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people and impacted thousands of residents across the South Side of Chicago.
Our mission of making our community a better place is far from finished, and I am confident that ITP is in great hands. Under Monse’s leadership, I look forward to seeing how we will expand our reach and deepen our impact in the coming years. I am also eager to witness the continued growth of our ITP alumni, who have gone on to become community leaders, business owners, and elected officials.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the trust you have placed in me. It has been the blessing of a lifetime to serve you through ITP, and I look forward to continuing to serve you in this new role as a member of the Board of Directors and in this next chapter as an attorney.
With gratitude,
Berto Aguayo