Mario García

Mario F. García has over 40 years of experience in nonprofit management with specializations in organizational development and training. He currently serves as Executive Director of Onward Neighborhood House, a community based organization in the tradition of a settlement house serving immigrants and low income families of Chicago since 1893. Onward House assists families and individuals in need by providing access to a range of programs to create opportunities for long term success. During his tenure Mr. García has overseen the transition of Onward House from its origins in West Town to the Belmont Cragin community on the northwest side of Chicago while expanding the services offered.

Prior to taking the Executive Director position at Onward Neighborhood House in 2004, Mr. García led his own consulting business, García Consulting. There, he consulted and trained on subjects of board development, team-building, strategic planning and leadership. He has worked with a variety of organizations that include community-based organizations, government agencies, social service agencies, professional associations and local school councils. Additionally, Mr. García worked for the Latino Institute, holding several positions that included senior consultant and director of leadership and organizational development. He is currently a member of Chicago’s Early Childhood Education CEO Roundtable, and a board member for the ACLU of Illinois, as well as a board member of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute.

Mr. García was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala and speaks fluent English and Spanish. He has a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Illinois State University.