Leadership Transitions
On behalf of the board of directors of AFIRE Chicago, we share the news that after 8 years of leadership in multiple roles, Ryan Viloria ended his tenure as Executive Director in November 2024 to place focus and care on personal matters. We appreciate the impact of his role in supporting AFIRE’s efforts to build leadership and capacity within the Filipinx/a/o community to organize on issues of social, racial, and economic justice.
Ryan joined AFIRE’s board of directors in 2016 and became its executive director in 2020, leading the organization amidst the incredibly challenging moment of the COVID-19 pandemic. So many members of our community faced uncertainties as essential workers, as elders facing social isolation and misinformation about COVID testing and vaccines, and as immigrant community members – including undocumented and mixed-status families – who faced financial burdens and inequitable access to direct relief efforts. AFIRE played a key role in advocating for and distributing resources, uplifting stories of resilience, and embodying the spirit of bayanihan – a reminder that our collective unity and mutual support can carry us through difficult times.
We are grateful for Ryan's leadership and contributions to AFIRE during this critical time. We will miss the humor, heart, and commitment he has poured into his tenure with the organization, and we wish him deep care and all the best for whatever lies ahead. AFIRE continues to build up our membership base through our GoldenAgers cultural program, Tagalog 101 classes, The Great Baklaan gathering for queer and trans Filipinx/a/o, and our Seeding AFIRE community education space. We also continue to work in coalition with community partners and strengthen community leadership to advocate and organize on community issues, such as equitable language access, paid time off for domestic workers, and increased funding to support immigrants. Grounded in the commitment toward our collective liberation and guided by goals mapped out for the next decade, the AFIRE team is inspired and excited to meet the challenges of and move this work forward. Thank you for your efforts, Ryan, we wish you the best in all that lies ahead!
“I have worked with Ryan since he first joined AFIRE’s board of directors eight years ago,” said AFIRE board president Mark Calaguas. “During this period, Ryan has helped guide AFIRE through unprecedented seasons of change, culminating in his most recent position as Executive Director. I commend his thoughtful and principled approach to community organizing, and on behalf of AFIRE, we wish him much success in his future endeavors and express our profound gratitude for his service to the organization.”
The AFIRE board of directors has been working with staff to implement an interim leadership and succession plan that aligns with our values and thoughtfully and sustainably grows our work. We are committed to fortifying AFIRE’s mission and leadership to continue our work now and for the long haul, and we are grateful to our extended community, partners, and donors who believe in the mission and make this work possible. Though transitions can feel daunting, we are fortunate at this time to announce that Rachel Lyons (she/her) will be joining the AFIRE team as its Interim Director. Rachel has nearly two decades of experience in social justice education, facilitation, and non-profit leadership. Her experience encompasses the gamut, from faith-based organizing to advocacy, to youth programming. Most recently, Rachel served at the Chicago Community Bond Fund. We are excited to welcome her in this role to support the staff and mission of AFIRE. Please say hello and give a warm welcome to Rachel when you see her!
We understand that in times of transition, this can be a lot. Please direct any questions about this transition period to Mark Calaguas, president of AFIRE’s board of directors, at board@afirechicago.org. Please keep reading to hear directly from Ryan on his time at AFIRE and from Rachel on this new opportunity.
Sincerely,
The AFIRE Board of Directors
***A message from Ryan Viloria, outgoing Executive Director:
It is with a hopeful heart that I depart the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) at this time. Leading AFIRE Chicago has been the highlight of my life. I hold so much pride and optimism for the organization as it moves to the next chapter. I am grateful for the efforts of all my colleagues through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing financial aid and resources to the Filipinx/a/os most in need, transforming community elders into advocates to speak with legislators and media, continuing US citizenship programming, hosting Tagalog 101 classes, hosting piyestas to celebrate with the community, and mobilizing Filipinx/a/os for voter engagement as well as Census outreach to amplify our voice and advocate for critical resources for our community. Personally, I am also proud that last June AFIRE and our community partners launched The Great Baklaan, the first LGBTQ conference in Chicago for Filipinx/a/os. Our scope is now more inclusive, and given all we have endured these last several years, this is a signal of our community’s fortitude.
I will always keep in my heart our community members, partners, and coalitions who ensure that the voice and experience of our intergenerational community strengthens our collective movements across immigrant rights, labor and domestic worker rights, LGBTQ rights, and solidarity struggles. I have immense gratitude for all who have shown up for our work.
Thank you to the volunteers, companions, protestors, and friends who move with us every inch of the way. Chicago is a Welcoming City, and AFIRE plays a vital role in the ecosystem of the city’s fabric of racial and social justice; everyone in our spaces is a part of that. I would also like to thank my predecessors for paving the road on which AFIRE persists. And to AFIRE staff and board - it has been an honor and privilege to witness your power and commitment to community. I know you will maintain the momentum that AFIRE’s founders began 16 years ago and that our community leaders will continue to pursue a just future for all.
Sulong & Padayon! See you all in community, mga kaibigan,
Ryan Viloria
***A message from Rachel Lyons, Interim Executive Director:
I am honored to join AFIRE Chicago as the Interim Executive Director and support the staff and board in this time of transition for the organization. I bring my experience as an organizer, facilitator, and manager who is committed to social transformation in our systems and in our relationships. My orientation to Chicago in 2013 was through faith-based organizing, and since then I have been involved in anti-racism work, jail support, social change formation for young adults, and abolition movements. During my most recent role as Co-Executive Director at the Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF), I led all operational aspects of the organization and supported our staff through the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act and the end of money bond in Illinois. I also co-created and implemented our strategic plan for sunsetting CCBF, which taught me about organizational change, solidarity, and living out shared values. Alongside these experiences, I bring my curiosity, reliability, and compassion to the work ahead, especially as we look to 2025 and the new presidential administration. I know AFIRE Chicago will continue to build strong relationships of care in the face of oppression and collective struggle. I trust in the beautiful and multifaceted work you all have cultivated at AFIRE over the past 20 years, and I humbly bring my gifts and skills to this community as we journey together in the coming weeks and months.
In solidarity,
Rachel Lyons
