Kevin Barszcz
Kevin Barszcz brings over a decade of executive experience in nonprofit leadership, government, and civic engagement. He currently serves as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs for the City of Chicago, the first Latino to hold this role.
Under his leadership, the office advanced landmark policies, including a Veterans Hiring Preference across all city departments, an Affordable Housing Preference for Veterans, and a permanent Veteran Business Enterprise Program. Kevin also led efforts to designate Chicago as a Purple Heart City, expand VA access across all seven City Colleges of Chicago campuses, and shift benefits directly into communities with the lowest utilization rates.
Prior to this role, Kevin managed a portfolio of more than $115 million in Homelessness Support Services within the Mayor’s Office.
Kevin’s career has been dedicated to public service, community empowerment, and advocacy. As a U.S. Navy veteran, he witnessed firsthand the challenges facing service members returning home, especially those from historically underserved communities. In response to those challenges, he founded Chicago Veterans in 2014, a nonprofit organization that has since become one of Illinois’ largest post-9/11 veteran organizations. For over a decade, the organization has helped veterans access critical resources, benefits, and career opportunities.
Born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest Side, Kevin is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools and a graduate of Carl Schurz High School. Raised in a multicultural, first-generation American household, he became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing from DePaul University.
His leadership and advocacy have earned him recognition, including being named to Latinos 40 Under 40 by Negocios Now (2023) and receiving the Veteran Advocate of the Year Award from the National Women Veterans United (2025).
