Kenya K. Merritt

Kenya K. Merritt currently serves as the Deputy Mayor for Business, Neighborhood and Economic Development in the City of Chicago, a position held since May 2023. Prior to this role, Kenya worked as a Program Officer at the Pritzker Traubert Foundation from October 2022 to May 2023. Kenya's extensive experience with the City of Chicago includes serving as First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Small Business Officer in the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, where management of economic policies for small businesses and public engagement were key responsibilities. Additional roles encompassed Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Family and Support Services. With academic credentials that include a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kenya is known for expertise in financial management and oversight across diverse municipal departments.