Preservation Chicago Deepens Commitment to Neighborhood Preservation Advocacy
Preservation Chicago is thrilled to announce the hiring of Mary Lu Seidel, formerly with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to lead and extend its community outreach initiatives throughout Chicago. As Director of Community Engagement, Seidel will be responsible for neighborhood-driven planning, advocacy and education to promote the preservation and reuse of cultural and historic assets in Chicago.
In addition to her tenure as Chicago Field Director at the National Trust where she managed preservation initiatives throughout the Midwest, Seidel brings nearly 30 years of community engagement and organizing experience to Preservation Chicago. She has extensive community building experience in the Chicago area market in economically and ethnically diverse areas. Her work has focused on advocacy, community engagement, strategic planning, community organizing, public policy and community redevelopment. She was born and raised in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood, and she returns to her passion for advocacy and organizing in the city she loves.
“We are very excited to have Mary Lu Seidel join our staff,” said Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago’s
Executive Director. “This newly created position will further expand Presentation Chicago’s capacity. By increasing our preservation efforts and community outreach throughout many of Chicago’s neighborhoods, we will be able to more widely cultivate healthy communities through the benefits of historic preservation.”
“I have long respected the great works that Preservation Chicago advocates for, and I look forward to being a part of this extraordinary team,” said Mary Lu Seidel. “This proactive and forward-thinking approach to preservation is exactly what Chicago and the preservation movement needs.”
“This expanded capacity will empower residents and stakeholders across Chicago to help them shape the future of their communities,” said Brad Suster, Preservation Chicago Board President. “We will help grow healthy communities by leveraging the value of historic fabric and character of Chicago’s neighborhoods, buildings and historic districts.”
Preservation Chicago is committed to strengthening the vibrancy of Chicago’s economy and quality of life by championing our historic built environment. Since 2001, when Preservation Chicago started as a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization has been steadfast in its commitment to advocating for Chicago’s irreplaceable historic architecture, neighborhoods and urban spaces through stakeholder advocacy and by empowering Chicagoans to help shape the future of their neighborhoods.