Paula Acevedo

Program and Development Director 2015-Present

Acevedo (She, her, hers) has been the co-director of El Paseo Community Garden in the Pilsen
neighborhood of Chicago since 2015, alongside her husband Antonio. She is responsible for communications, outreach, programming, grant-writing, marketing, event planning and anything else that is needed. She enjoys applying her background in Architecture (‘10 UIC Alumna) for place-making and community-driven design. She completed the University of Illinois Extension’s Master Urban Farmer Program in 2016 and the Openland’s Garden Keepers Program in 2015. In the garden, her driving passion is serving the seniors and children through the creation of projects and programming. Most recently, she co-produced the ’20-’22 documentary film series “Nuestra Herencia” which highlights elders in the garden. She serves on the Chicago River Ecology & Governance Task Force and the Chicago Infrastructure Reuse Network and strives to address the inequities and negative impacts of greenspace and infrastructure improvements, such as the proposed rails-to-trails project along the garden. The garden has given her a sense of community in Pilsen and has strengthened the connection with her Mexican heritage. When she is not doing garden work, she enjoys craft projects and playtime with her son.

Antonio Acevedo

Stewardship Director 2015-Present

Antonio volunteers as the co-director for El Paseo Community Garden in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago where he manages construction and various projects, grant-writing and finances, garden maintenance, and serves as the political liaison. He has led the garden along with his wife, Paula, since 2015. However, he has been an active member and project manager since 2011. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelors of Civil Engineering.  He is currently a licensed professional transportation engineer at Clark Dietz, Inc. He has also completed facilitation training through the Institute of Cultural Affairs and utilizes these skills during public involvement activities at work and in the garden. He also completed the University of Illinois Extension’s Master Urban Farmer Program in 2016. In between work, the garden, and family life, Antonio enjoys finding time to play guitar and skateboard. 

Lucia Leon

Director of Farm Operations

Interim Board

Paula Acevedo

Paul Rizik

Emily O’Keeffe

Emily O’Keeffe is a long-time partner of the El Paseo Community Garden.  For the past seven years, she has dedicated her time to coordinating events and fundraisers throughout Pilsen. With an MBA in Marketing and a BA in Environmental Policy, Emily brings a wealth of experience and expertise in helping small businesses and community gardens engage effectively with the communities they serve.

In her role at El Paseo Community Garden, Emily has supported and enhanced the garden’s outreach efforts. Her dedication to the garden stems from personal connection and her commitment to the values of growth, community, peace and humanity. Outside of her professional commitments, Emily enjoys cooking with fresh produce, ceramics, yoga, seeing live music, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa

Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa is an interdisciplinary artist with experience in: teaching intergenerational groups, working as a curator and administrator, and collaborating in a variety of settings. 

Active in the city of Chicago for thirty years, Elvia continually seeks to challenge the notion that only certain individuals can participate in the arts by making programs that are accessible in a variety of ways. Their prints have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

Elvia considers the greater southwest side of Chicago as their home base. Raised in a variety of neighborhoods, they began exploring the arts while in elementary school and chose to follow this interest in high school and college eventually earning both a BA and MA in the arts. Their practice is community centered with the goal of welcoming participants of all levels. They have worked in a variety of non profit organizations over the past 30 years and have recently taken on the leadership at Chicago Community Arts Studio.