Featured Staff of the Month (May 2021): Betty Sanchez-Azadeh

After discovering her passion for numbers, Betty Sanchez-Azadeh graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Finance. As an alumna, she continued to volunteer at Loyola, supporting them as they grew their Hispanic student population. She is on the Loyola University Latino Alumni Board, where she has served as a Board President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and is currently a Board Member At-Large. 

Betty's finance career started on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) when the pits were full of runners and traders. Those days were very exciting - nothing like hearing the morning bell ring as the mayhem begins! It was then that she realized she enjoyed the fast-paced environment of having to quickly react to the market. She enjoyed working with customers from abroad and traders on the East Coast, but after six years of working on the floor of the CME, she decided it was time to move on. She transitioned to working for the City of Chicago, where she started in a regional park as a Finance Coordinator. By the time she left the Park District, she had become a Finance Manager for the Central Region of Chicago and was overseeing an annual budget of 26 million dollars and 52 Regional Parks. That job helped her realize that she wanted to use her skills for the betterment of others, and then jumped into social services work. Betty has had the opportunity to work at organizations that offer early childhood education; afterschool and youth programming; adult education in the areas of ESL, GED, Citizenship, and job training programs; and services for youth and families who are confronted with homelessness. In May 2018, she joined the AVLS as the Director of Finance, and the rest is history!

What led you to choose this career?

I chose to work for nonprofit organizations as a way of giving back to the community, even if indirectly. Nonprofit organizations are only as strong as their infrastructure, and I hoped that my skills could be used to secure and manage increased funding, an expansion of programs, and organizational growth.

What is an accomplishment of yours at AVLS that you’re proud of?

I'm proud of helping the organization transition from California to Chicago, and of working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors in the implementation of strategies to maintain and improve fiscal condition and strengthen our capacity for additional growth.

What is the most satisfying thing you get out of your role at AVLS?

Meeting the many individuals and working closely with staff and society members who make AVLS the success that it is. I really look forward to when we can see each other at Congress.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given, and who was it from?

I used to work with a wonderful man named Rafael Ravelo, who was the Senior Advisor for an organization that I worked at previously. During a period of time when the organization was growing and we were constantly trying to find office space to add additional staff, Rafael had a nice corner office that could house multiple people. Rafael was relocated into a small office in the lower level with no windows. Rafael is a very artistic individual who enjoyed people, children, and vibrant colors. His office space was always personalized at his own expense. I was starting to feel bad and asked him one day why he never got upset with the numerous moves asked of him. He then responded with, “It’s not about me, Betty, but those we serve. Therefore, it’s never an inconvenience if it’s for the good of those we serve.” It made a huge impression on me and change has never bothered me again.

What is your favorite movie, band or song?

My favorite movie is Crazy Rich Asians, because I’m a sucker for love stories. Band would be Garth Brooks, he’s a wonderful entertainer. There are so many wonderful songs to choose from. I would say it’s If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. I think it’s important to let those you love know that they're loved before it’s too late.