About

Our Team

KimClosec

Kim Close

Executive
Director

Kim Close

Kim

Kim Close, Executive Director, founded the organization in 2018 to expand programmatic capacity for the Xquina Incubator. In her time at the Foundation of Little Village, Kim has worked to increase resources and opportunities available to small businesses in Little Village.

Kim employs a holistic approach in her pursuit of economic development as a means to achieve greater equity. This approach combines direct investment in the community through the implementation of educational programs designed to create economic impact in Little Village.

Kim holds a degree in International Relations with a minor in Spanish from Austin College. Prior to her work in Little Village, she owned a small business for ten years – an experience that taught her the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Diego Murillo FLV

Diego Murillo

Chief of
Staff

Diego Murillo

Diego Murillo, Chief of Staff, plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the organization and alignment with its strategic goals. His position involves overseeing daily operations, managing staff, and coordinating between different departments to streamline communication and foster collaboration.

Diego helps shape and execute initiatives that drive economic growth and community empowerment, often working closely with stakeholders, ensuring that the programs and policies effectively address the needs of local entrepreneurs and contribute to long-term economic sustainability.

Diego is a graduate of University of Illinois Chicago School of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts.

Xamanek Headshot

Xamanek Carrasco Chávez

Program Director

Xamanek Carrasco

Xamanek Carrasco, Program Director, is passionate about supporting individuals and businesses in realizing their full potential while contributing to sustainable economic development.

With a strong background in global marketing and extensive experience in emerging economies, Xamanek brings decades of leadership in the medical device industry. In recent years, her focus has centered on collaborating with small businesses through customized support in marketing, business planning, and strategic growth—key drivers of economic resilience and job creation in underserved communities.

She values the power of collaboration, believing that meaningful and scalable outcomes are only possible through strong teamwork.

Xamanek holds a Marketing degree and an MBA from ITESM—Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. Outside of work, he has a strong appreciation for graphic arts, enjoys reading historical fiction, and finds clarity and balance through long walks.

Janet Lagunas updated HS

Janet Lagunas

Program
Manager

Greg Guiterrez

Greg Gutierrez, Program Director, leads the Foundation’s entrepreneurial program initiatives and is responsible for implementing and overseeing a portfolio of programs to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and improve local businesses' economic wellbeing.

Greg is driven by a motivation to help others, share his own experiences as a business owner, and inspire others with his journey from humble beginnings. This motivation led him to the Foundation and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.

In 2004, Greg moved to Illinois to pursue his MBA at the University of Western Illinois, shortly after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in marketing and management at Universidad Pan Americana in Jalisco, Mexico.

Paul Cellejas Headshot

Paul Callejas

Client Services
Manager

Paul Cellejas

As the Client Services Manager, Paul Callejas provides invaluable business advice and technical assistance to new and established entrepreneurs in the neighborhood. Paul's leadership is not just a title, but a quality that is evident in his ability to unite organizations for a common goal.

His collaborative approach has not only delivered results, but also significantly improved the quality of life for many Chicagoans. Paul's role as a bridge between organizations is a testament to his leadership and his unwavering commitment to community improvement.

GREG FLV

Greg Gutierrez

Juntos
Program Instructor

Greg Gutierrez

Greg Gutierrez is a dynamic and performance-driven professional with a proven ability to coordinate daily business operations, review, access, and improve organization processes, and develop plans to heighten the productivity of teams and employees. Greg serves as the lead instructor for the Foundation’s Juntos entrepreneurial programs.

Driven by a motivation to help others, Greg teaches through his own experiences as a business owner and seeks to inspire others with his journey from humble beginnings. This motivation led him to the Foundation and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.

In 2004, Greg moved to Illinois to pursue his MBA at the University of Western Illinois, shortly after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in marketing and management at Universidad Pan Americana in Jalisco, Mexico.

Ramiro Headshot

Ramiro J. Atristain-Carrión

Financial Literacy Instructor

Ramiro J. Atristain-Carrión

Ramiro J. Atristain-Carrión is the Managing Director of Atristain Advisors, LLC, a firm specializing in fractional CFO and advisory services to align financial strategy with business value propositions. Atristain leverages his expertise to support entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizations in optimizing finances, building effective teams, and achieving long-term goals. He has been instrumental in establishing and managing endowment funds for prominent organizations showcasing his leadership in organizational planning and strategic development.

Atristain’s commitment to teaching and mentoring entrepreneurs is evident through his role as an Executive In Residence and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Dominican University's Brennan School of Business, along with prior teaching engagements at DePaul University. His guidance helps aspiring business leaders navigate financial complexities and create sustainable strategies.

Beyond academia, he actively supports entrepreneurship and community initiatives through leadership roles, including chairing the CLESF Foundation, which conducts annual medical missions to Latin America, and serving on the Metropolitan Planning Council's board. Additionally, Atristain is deeply involved in cultural and philanthropic efforts, such as founding the "CSO Latino Alliance" of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and chairing the Advisory Board of Instituto Cervantes.

Atristain is a published author of financial wellness resources, including El dinero en tu vida and two academic textbooks, and hosts the podcast Tu relación con el dinero. With an MBA in Finance, BA in Economics and numerous certifications, including Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) and Associate Certified Coach (ACC), he combines financial expertise with coaching to empower individuals and organizations.

Atristain’s fluency in Spanish and Italian, combined with his cross-cultural experience, further enhances his ability to mentor entrepreneurs globally.

Gaston Linan

Gaston Linan

Access to Capital
Manager

Gaston Linan

Gaston Linan is a seasoned financial services professional with over 25 years of experience in retail banking. Specializing in providing tailored financial solutions to small business owners, he has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs.

Throughout his career, Gaston has built a reputation for delivering personalized, effective advice and strategic support to help small businesses navigate their financial needs, from securing funding to optimizing cash flow and managing risk. His extensive expertise, coupled with his commitment to customer success, has made him a trusted partner for countless small business clients.

Careers

The Foundation of Little Village provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Regardless of protected status, the Foundation of Little Village is committed to providing quality services to individuals in our community and upholding a safe and respectful working environment for our employees.

The Foundation offers competitive pay and a generous benefits package including paid holidays, paid time off and sick days, health insurance, and other benefits.

At this time, the Foundation does not have any open positions available. Please watch our social media pages for the most up to date information as we primarily post job announcements on those sites.

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