Director of Housing/Community Services

Eleana Molise (she/her) is leading housing services at the 46th Ward Office. She's lived in Uptown for over a year and loves riding her bike to the lake (when she doesn't have a flat tire!). Before joining the Ward Office, Eleana worked at ONE Northside, also in Uptown, organizing people living with mental illness to increase access to public mental healthcare. She believes that our community has all the expertise and experience to make the changes we need to live in a just, kind, and abundant community for all, and she's excited to leverage local government resources to make that happen! Outside of work, Eleana is a gardener, cat mom, and reality TV lover. 

Director of Infrastructure and Development 

Jesse Orr is the Director of Infrastructure and Development at the 46th Ward Office. He first moved to Uptown in 2021 and enjoys biking around the ward looking at anything under construction. Before joining the 46th Ward staff, Jesse worked at the Inclusive Economy Lab and International Innovation Corps, working to improve government programs and service delivery. 

Jesse believes that local government has a crucial role to play in both improving housing affordability and availability as well as enhancing Chicago's sustainable and multi-model transportation options.

Outside of work, Jesse likes to gallivant around the city by bike and CTA, read both fiction and nonfiction, go the lakefront, and participate in different types of racing events.

Director of Community Engagement 

Tanya Smith serves as the Director of Community Engagement for the 46th Ward Office, where she works to strengthen connections between residents, local organizations, and city resources. A proud Uptown resident and alum of Uplift Community High School, Tanya has spent most of her life engaged in arts, community organizing, and advocacy within the neighborhood she now serves.

With a background in community organizing, youth development, and the arts, Tanya has spent over a decade fostering inclusive spaces and advocating for equitable access to opportunities. Prior to joining the ward office, she played a key role in Chicago’s creative and nonprofit sectors, coordinating cultural events, leading youth programs, and facilitating community-driven initiatives.

Tanya is passionate about uplifting Uptown and ensuring that residents have access to the resources and support they need.

Director of Public Safety

Andre Peden serves as the Director of Public Safety for the 46th Ward. He works closely with residents, the Chicago Police Department, and partner agencies to develop and implement effective public safety strategies that strengthen the community and quality of life. As an Uptown resident of nearly 50 years, he brings deep neighborhood knowledge and strong community relationships to his role.

Andre has over 40 years of experience in the security profession, i.e., managing operations for major events in Chicago and across the U.S. and internationally, and providing personal protection for celebrities. He spent more than 20 years working in residential high-rise buildings in the ward, including six years as an Operations Manager. where he played a key role in fostering a safer and more positive living environment

He is passionate about mentoring youth and has contributed to several large-scale citywide initiatives. He enjoys time at the lake, listening to music, watching movies and documentaries.

Constituent Services Representative

Oluranti - who also goes by Olu - is a first-generation immigrant with lots of hope for the future. She is a Truman College student excited to be joining the 46th Ward as part of the city’s summer internship program. She is an anime fan who can't get enough of the adventures and mesmerizing artistry. You'll often find her geeking out at conventions cosplaying as her favorite characters. In her downtime, she enjoy strolling by the lake, immersing herself in a good book, or indulging in the exhilarating gameplay of action-packed video games.

Chief of Staff

Bethel Kifle serves as the Chief of Staff at the 46th Ward office whose personal and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to community, equity, and public service. She is native Chicagoan from Uptown, a proud product of Chicago’s public and parochial schools, and alum of pivotal youth programs like Link Unlimited and Youth on Youth.

Bethel earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Bates College and attended the University of Chicago for her Masters in Social Work (MSW). With roots in Uptown and shaped by experiences across higher education, social services, community organizing, and creative media, Bethel brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing responsive and community-centered leadership in the 46th ward.