Perla Torres

Perla is the Investment Operations Associate for A Better Chicago.  In this role, she supports the organization’s grant-making efforts by ensuring seamless grantmaking operations across all stages of the investment pipeline. Perla provides logistical and analytical support for due diligence, executes investment agreements, and enables grant payments.

Previously, Perla worked in higher education administration at both Northeastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois and in youth development at City Year of Chicago.  Perla approaches youth development with a holistic view of students’ needs and advocates for a positive relationship between students, teachers, administrators, and any stakeholders that touch students’ lives. Whether its addressing unstable housing, complex transportation, or any other obstacles to student success, she is driven to resolve student challenges to ensure all students have an opportunity to be their best selves.

Perla holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a minor in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was born and raised in Chicago and enjoys listening to horror audiobooks (ask her for a recommendation) and Latin dancing in her free time.