Laura Oakleaf Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Il

Greater Chicago Area

Responsible for sustainability planning, implementation and reporting; department communications and outreach; grant proposals and management; performance measurement; and legislative and policy research and strategy. • Planned and executed Cook County’s first strategic initiative to institutionalize sustainability at County facilities and throughout the County including development and administration of the Sustainability Advisory Council and the Green Leadership Team. • Managed data collection and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from building energy, transportation, waste and water.• Wrote 2014-2016 annual sustainability reports.• Successfully wrote and coordinated federal and private foundation grant applications and reporting requirements. Successful grants include a $1.2 Million Solar Market Pathways grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and a grant from the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation for a multi-year energy efficiency outreach staff position. • Responsible for external outreach efforts such as web and newsletter content, event coordination, and management of one direct report in the energy efficiency outreach program. • Led research, drafting, introduction and successful passage by the County Board of grant approvals, intergovernmental agreements, amendments and ordinances to increase compliance with the Environmental Control Code.• Collaborated with key management staff to develop relevant performance measures to further department goals and improve services. - Member of the Illinois Partners for Clean Air Steering Committee- Member of the Prairie State Network - Member of the Fleet, Waste and Energy and Water Sub-committees of the Cook County Green Leadership Team

Researched and presented complex state budgetary, bond issuance, pension, and tax analysis and acted as a liaison with constituency groups and elected officials. • Developed relationships between the Treasurer’s Office and business owners, union representatives, and investment professionals to advance the goals of the office, such as creating and protecting jobs, and properly managing the state’s $10 Billion portfolio.• Initiated Bank On Illinois, a statewide public-private partnership, to respond to the issues of unbanked and underbanked populations. • Supervised a comprehensive revision of procedures and guidelines and streamlined work process to increase public utilization of a home loan guarantee program.• Created low-interest rate loan programs for alternative fuel vehicle purchases and energy efficiency building upgrades.• Participated in request for proposal drafting and review processes. - Co-chair, Illinois Children’s Savings Account Task Force- Member of Illinois Food Marketing Task Force- Member of the Treasurer’s Investment Policy Committee

• Researched, wrote and worked to build coalitions for legislation including the Cook County Green Building Ordinance, the Cook County Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance and the Gender Identity Amendment to Cook County Human Rights Ordinance.• Designed media strategies, wrote press releases and managed communication with reporters. • Acted as a community representative for the Commissioner.• Staffed the Commissioner’s committees on Environment, Litigation and Human Relations.• Specialized in environmental and human rights issues.

• Assessed the needs of constituents and represented their concerns to various federal agencies • Represented the Congresswoman at press conferences and community events. • Developed a training manual, trained new staff and managed database system and case records for district office personnel.

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Master Of Arts, Public Policy And Administration

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Communication

Ba, Communication, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Circle K, College Democrats, Phoenix newspaper, Pep Band

Master Of Arts - Ma, Public Policy And Administration