Breann Gala

Breann joined MPC as a research assistant in 2011, was hired as an associate in 2012 and promoted to project manager in 2013. Breann brings her knowledge of affordable and public housing, transit-oriented development, community engagement and neighborhood stabilization to manage a range of MPC’s housing and community development initiatives.

 Specifically, Breann oversees the implementation of two pilots: the Regional Housing Initiative, which is coordinating regional housing authorities to create and expand housing opportunities for low-income families in quality neighborhoods; and a two-year pilot in partnership with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to ensure housing investments in distressed communities in south suburban Cook County are maintained and benefit the community. Breann also supports MPC’s Corridor Development Initiative (CDI), a community-led planning process that encourages dense, equitable development near transit. Breann co-authored the CDI report on reutilizing Stewart School in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

 A native of California, Breann moved to Chicago in 2010, to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago, where she completed a master’s degree in urban planning and policy. In California, she worked for a range of nonprofit and socially responsible organizations, including the ACLU’s organizing department. She also spent a semester studying in Singapore and a winter working to reduce health inequalities in rural India.

 Currently, Breann lives in Uptown and balances work with her love of reading, swimming and biking. She recently joined the Program Advisory Committee for Inspiration Corporation. Breann is currently an adjunct professor at National Louis University.