Mary Ellen Messner

Mary Ellen Messner is the current First Deputy Commissioner at the Chicago Public Library. Prior to their current position, they served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Ingenuity Incorporated from December 2011 to February 2015. From May 2007 to December 2011, they were the Assistant Commissioner at the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services where they led the city's Youth Workforce Development Programs. In February 2015, they became the Deputy Commissioner of Youth Services at the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services until they took on their current role in July 2018. Prior to their work in various positions within the city of Chicago, Ms. Messner served as the Assistant Director at the City of Chicago's Department of Children and Youth Services from March 2001 to April 2007. Mary began their career in 1995 as an Area Manager at the Chicago Park District before moving on to their role at the Department of Children and Youth Services.

Mary Ellen Messner has a Master's degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University, an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marquette University.

Mary Ellen Messner reports to Chris Brown, Commissioner. They work with Maggie Clemons - Deputy Commissioner, Library Operations & Patron Experience, Teri Campbell - Deputy Commissioner, Administration & Finance, and Veleda Simpson - Director, Woodson Regional.