Amy Rynell
Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty Amy Rynell is the director of the Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty (MAIP), which was established in 1989 to conduct research that shines a spotlight on social issues in order to promote informed and effective policy and program solutions. Ms. Rynell manages and serves as media spokesperson for the Illinois Poverty Summit. The Illinois Poverty Summit was established in 2000 to raise awareness of poverty issues and solutions; to develop bipartisan support for strategic priorities to eliminate poverty in Illinois; and to analyze current poverty data and serve as an information source on trends impacting the state's economic health. The Summit also convenes legislators and key civic leaders to determine the most effective use of state and federal anti-poverty resources and to develop new anti-poverty strategies. In addition, Ms. Rynell serves as director of the National Transitional Jobs Network, as co-chair of Grantmakers Concerned with Poverty for the Donors Forum of Chicago, and as a guest lecturer on social issues in classes at universities across Chicago. Ms. Rynell received her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.
