Foxx Appoints Two New Members of Her Leadership Team: Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
CHICAGO – Three months into her second term Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced two key leadership roles within her office: Ted Berger, Deputy Chief of Staff; and Lea Gutierrez, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
“I am excited to bring new perspectives to my leadership team to advance the critical work of this office,” said State’s Attorney Foxx. “Ted Berger and Lea Gutierrez’s dedication to public service and commitment to inclusive policies will serve this administration well as we continue our renewed focus on criminal justice reform for the people of Cook County,”
Ted Berger, Deputy Chief of Staff: A veteran public servant with experience at the local, state and federal levels, Ted most recently served as the Emergency Management Deputy Incident Commander for Cook County’s unified command response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Berger will collaborate with managers and supervisors to oversee and implement policies within the CCSAO. Berger replaces Alyson Miller, who was appointed Chief of Staff and Policy in January.
“Ted comes to the role with a vast knowledge of how government offices work and years of public service, both are important to navigating the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country. Ted’s experience working with the General Assembly is a great benefit as we build a progressive policy and legislative agenda for the second term,” said Foxx.
Lea Gutierrez, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer: Lea was the founding Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois (ARDC). She pioneered the ARDC’s efforts to recruit diverse attorneys, promote a culture of inclusion and create methods for increased public accessibility to the ARDC. As Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Gutierrez will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed to optimize organizational culture and align the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals with organizational outcomes.
“Our people who make up the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office should represent the diversity of Cook County in every sense of the word. Lea’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will be an asset to the men and women of the State’s Attorney’s Office as well as the people of Cook County. I’m thrilled to have Lea join my executive team where her expertise will provide a strong perspective for the work we do,” said Foxx.
Foxx believes these appointments will help drive her second-term policy agenda forward as well as continue her investment and commitment to diversity within the office. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Ted Berger, Deputy Chief of Staff
Ted Berger has worked in local, state, and federal government roles for nearly 20 years. Most recently serving as Chief Deputy Director for the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security where he oversaw the department’s response operations, preparedness, training and external communications teams. Before coming to Cook County Government, Ted previously served four years as the chief of staff for the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications and spent 10 years working for the State of Illinois in a variety of management and legislative capacities.
Lea Gutierrez, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Lea Gutierrez prior to joining the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, Lea was the founding Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois (ARDC). For six years, Lea pioneered the ARDC’s efforts to recruit diverse attorneys, promote a culture of inclusion, and create methods for increased public accessibility to the ARDC. In addition to her role as Director of D&I, Ms. Gutierrez also served as Litigation Manager, supervising a litigation team responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of lawyer misconduct.