Brooke Fallon

Vice President

2021

Working with portfolio companies to engage in legislative and grassroots campaigns to open markets, advise on hiring, build industry coalitions, and develop media strategies to help founders tell their story.

Associate Director of Activism

2019 - 2021

-Led IJ’s team of city policy experts in enacting concrete reforms to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start small businesses. -Worked with city officials and entrepreneurs around the country to understand regulatory barriers to business and organize campaigns to fight for simpler laws and less red tape. -Worked with coalitions to successfully pass 15 laws in 10 states opening markets to entrepreneurs. -Deployed media assets across TV, radio, and print advocacy campaigns.

Assistant Director of Activism

2016 - 2019

-Taught activists across the country how to fight for their rights to own property and earn an honest living. -Helped entrepreneurs and property owners make their voices heard in state and local government and change laws through organizing, trainings, coalition building, public outreach, and research.

Activism Manager

2015 - 2016

Assistant Director of Community Relations

2014 - 2015

• Engaging government officials, community members, and strategic partners in an effort to make Chicago a more welcoming environment for low-income entrepreneurs. • Monitoring and researching local policy and regulatory issues that affect the ability of entrepreneurs to operate. • Leading legislative advocacy projects that include conducting policy research, outlining policy recommendations, and presenting to City Officials. • Creating grassroots advocacy campaigns to organize constituent groups and build coalitions. • Conceptualizing, planning, and facilitating large-scale events for low-income entrepreneurs, including a conference for food entrepreneurs (200 attendees) and a South Side pitch competition (150 attendees). • Coordinating outreach efforts to spread awareness of the IJ Clinic’s mission and services. • Participating in strategic planning to increase the Clinic’s impact and bring value to a greater number of entrepreneurs. • Developing and maintaining information systems to track the Clinic’s programs and clients and to measure the Clinic’s progress towards its mission and strategic plan. • Managing office operations, assisting two attorneys and 20 law students in providing legal aid to low-income entrepreneurs.

Office and Community Relations Manager

2010 - 2014

Intern

2008 - 2009

• Sent monthly newsletters to membership of around 600 contacts. Maintained the organization’s website and social media profiles. • Developed new and creative marketing techniques to engage clients, including the Chicago Public School System. • Collected metrics about the organization’s impact, maintained a dashboard, and compiled quarterly reports.

Days of Service Coordinator

2008 - 2009

• Organized and executed a community service day for 600 incoming freshmen at 30 sites around Chicago. • Planned quarterly campus-wide days of service, each with an average of 150 participants, set around relevant social themes. • Connected groups of student volunteers with service projects at nonprofits, maintained a calendar of upcoming projects.

Heartland Alliance- ESL Instructor

2007 - 2007

• Conducted a daily three hour English language course for a class of 25 adult refugees from around the world. • Assisted with additional resettlement projects including employment research and vocational job training classes for clients. • Participated in community service projects and trainings with experts on various urban issues to learn about civic engagement.