Karina Slaughter

Karina Slaughter joined Chicago Commons in 2019 as the Senior Director of programs before being promoted to her current role as Senior Vice President. Karina oversees programs at Chicago Commons’ four early education centers and 10-12 community partner sites which serve children 0-5 years of age, as well as the Youth Program for ages 5-12. Prior to joining Commons, she was director of programs in Early Learning and Child Development for One Hope United. In this role, Karina supported the unique needs of dual language learners and strengthened early math practices through participation in Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative. Under her leadership the center achieved ExceleRate Illinois’ Gold Circle of Quality and participated in NAEYC’s school-age accreditation pilot program. Prior to that, Karina directed a privately-owned childcare center. Karina earned her B.S in Marketing in 2004 from Hampton University. In 2007, she earned an entrepreneurial program certificate from the Joseph School of Business in Forest Park, Illinois and in 2010, she earned a Master of Science in Child Development and specialization in Administration from Erikson Institute. Karina serves as a committee member with Illinois Action for Children.