Our Team
The Chicago Workers Collaborative is a worker led organization with a a growing team of 40 community leaders organized by an experienced leadership team.
All of CWC’s staff are former low wage workers who live in the same communities we serve, speak the same languages as our neighbors, and have worked in many of the workplaces where we build power. For over 20 years, our approach has been to empower our community members to lead our organizing and bring resources into their communities through our programs.
Our team is a reflection of the strength and resilience of our community and our ties to the people we serve means that we will always go the extra mile to deliver justice and equity for our people.
Our Leadership
José Frausto
Executive Director
As the current Executive Director, José has over 20 years of experience in popular education, organizing, and advocacy work. José served as President of AFSCME Local 2992 for 2 years. The most precarious job José ever held was working as a temp at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago.
Jaime I. Medina
Director of Operations
The Director of Operations has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector managing information systems and coordinating community engagement and education programs for immigrant workers. The most precarious job Jaime ever held was bussing tables at a restaurant.
Tim Bell
Programs Manager
As the Programs Manager, Bell has been with the organization from the beginning. He helped found CWC in 2003, where he has since worked as Executive Director, Organizer Director & Grants Manager. Previously, he worked for 10 years as the Adult Education Director at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago. The most precarious job he worked was as a carpet cleaner.
Mayra Garduño
Community Resources Manager
Our Community Resources Manager has more than 17 years of experience working in non-profits serving low-income families as a case worker, Health Services Assistant, family advocate, group instructor with different entities such as: CFCM (Chicago Family Case Management) Head Start and Early Head Start, DCFS, etc. The most precarious role Mayra’s held was a temporary staffing agency worker.
Rosalia Tenorio
Community and Worker Organizing Manager
Rosalia Tenorio, an immigrant from Mexico who has lived in Waukegan for 27 years, started as a low-wage worker facing job discrimination and has become a key staff member at CWC after joining CWC's know-your-rights workshops. She now leads outreach for CWC's legal-immigration team and embodies CWC's mission of community-driven leadership.