CONTACT
Ryan Viloria, Interim Executive Director
rviloria@afirechicago.org
CHICAGO, IL - On June 30, 2019, the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) will see the departure of Michael Aguhar after six years of service with AFIRE as a volunteer, staff, board member, and Executive Director. During this time, Aguhar worked with domestic workers to pass the Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, supported hundreds of immigrants in becoming U.S. citizens, and doubled the budget, staff, and board of directors.
The executive search committee is continuing to finalize their search for a permanent director. Abbey Eusebio, chair of the AFIRE Board of Directors, leads the search committee, which is comprised of board members, staff, and core member leaders.
During this search, the AFIRE Board of Directors appointed Ryan Viloria as Interim Executive Director, effective July 1. Formerly of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Viloria is a long time AFIRE board member and active participant in the Chicago Filipinx community. Additionally, Viloria has served as Conference Coordinator for the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance and Operations Manager for Kultura, the special events arm of Filipino Kitchen.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Michael for all his work,” Ryan said. “Michael’s stewardship of AFIRE sets a high standard of what community organizing should do. It is also my honor to work alongside the dedicated staff and members of AFIRE, all of whom are devoted to the betterment of Chicago’s Filipinx population.”
“Over the past six years, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with such talented people,” Aguhar said. “While the fight for immigrant and workers rights continues, I believe the AFIRE board, staff, and members have the tools to grow our impact and create change. I am confident in Ryan’s leadership during this interim period and look forward to the search committee’s recommendation to the board of directors.”
On July 14 from 12pm - 4pm, AFIRE will hold a despedida (farewell party) at Horner Park, Grove 8, 2741 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. All are welcome!
About AFIRE:
The Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights & Empowerment (AFIRE) is a grassroots community organization that builds the capacity of Filipino/a/xs* to organize on issues of social, racial, and economic justice that affect undocumented immigrants, domestic workers, seniors, and youth. For further information, please visit www.afirechicago.org.
* We use Filipino/a/x as shorthand for Filipino/Filipina/Filipinx to honor all gender identities.