Meet LaSandra Hutchinson, IGNITE's Fellows Program Manager - Central

LaSandra has dedicated over 20 years to social justice and anti-violence work.  Passionate about advancing equity, access, and the quality of life for underserved groups, LaSandra has served in a variety of capacities. 

Previously, LaSandra led community engagement strategy as the Community Outreach Specialist at Anew, an agency that provides comprehensive, trauma-informed domestic violence services in Illinois. She is 1 of 15 Illinois domestic violence professionals selected to attend the 2022 Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) Leadership Academy, a program that develops diverse leaders in Illinois to advocate for the eradication of domestic violence.

LaSandra has collaborated with Illinois legislators by providing policy and constituent relationship support to remove barriers for girls as a policy consultant. She has provided victim advocacy as a domestic violence medical advocate in Chicago’s South Suburban hospitals, promoted judicial accountability in the DV Division of the Cook County Circuit Court, and designed and implemented youth violence prevention programming at The Chicago Freedom School and The Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. She currently serves as a member of the Matteson District 162 School Board. 

LaSandra was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side and is a proud first-generation college graduate. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and a Master in Public Administration and Policy from The American University School of Public Affairs.