Director Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce
Term: May 2018 – present
Committee: UPDATING SOON
Leadership Role(s): UPDATING SOON
Member organization: Oak-Leyden Developmental Services
Lori Malinski was born in Chicago and grew up in Logan Square. Lori is formally educated in creative writing, pop culture studies, media, film, and photography. Through her love of music, she became interested in politics and community organizing at an early age, which sparked her career in the non-profit sector. Lori has worked in organizations of various sizes and missions, including the American Bar Association, Alzheimer’s Association, AIDSCARE Chicago, and Sarah’s Inn. In 1998, Lori and her husband moved from the Belmont Craigin area to Oak Park. Lori got to know the local business community through a position as Business Association Liaison for the (then) Oak Park Development Corporation. While there, Lori worked closely with the North Avenue and Roosevelt Road Business Associations. She’s very proud of her work in putting the wheels in motion for the Roosevelt Road renaissance. She is currently the Director of Development at Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, an Oak Park-based organization that empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities. Lori also serves as the Vice President of the North Avenue Business Association.
In between her non-profit endeavors, Lori has provided management, booking, and public relations for several bands, provided articles and photographs for Chicago Music Magazine, and exhibited her photos at Around the Coyote. She enjoys time with her husband, teen-aged son, and their dog. Her favorite pastime is relaxing on her porch, the very reason that brought the family to Oak Park.