Sylvia Puente
Sylvia Puente is a pioneering public policy expert and civic leader with deep expertise in Latino community issues, education, housing, and economic equity. A trusted coalition builder and influential voice in Illinois policy, her expertise, perspective, and opinion are frequently cited in the media. She is a visionary, identifying and articulating emergent opportunities and needs on the growth, demographics, and social issues impacting the Latino community.
From 2009 to 2024, Sylvia led the Latino Policy Forum, growing it from a startup into a $4 million public policy organization that became a central voice on Latino issues in Chicago and Illinois. Under her leadership, the Forum translated community data into actionable policy solutions, securing major wins including $3 million in new state college scholarships, $4 million to train bilingual teachers, and nearly $500 million in housing and rental assistance for communities hit hardest by the pandemic. She also developed an innovative leadership program that trains Black and Latino community leaders in public policy and builds cross-community collaboration for social impact.
Sylvia’s policy influence extends across education, housing, and community investment. Governor Pritzker appointed her to his Educational Success transition committee; previous governors appointed her to the Illinois Early Learning Council and the Illinois Education Funding Advisory Board. She serves on the boards of Advance Illinois and the Chicago Education Alliance, and has been appointed to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew Board and the State Housing Task Force. Her commentary has appeared at the Brookings Institution, CBS News, and UIUC’s Gies College of Business, among others.
Sylvia holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago and honorary doctorates from Roosevelt University and Governors State University. She has been named one of the most influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine and is a recipient of the Ohtli Award, Mexico’s highest honor for individuals of Mexican descent. Her lifelong commitment to justice began at age 13, when her mother brought her to her first picket line in support of the United Farm Workers.