Our Mission

Big City Living, Small Neighborhood Feel

East Lakeview Neighbors is dedicated to building a stronger, more connected community by promoting civic engagement, fostering meaningful relationships between neighbors, and supporting local charitable efforts. We believe that an engaged and informed neighborhood is the foundation of a thriving city. Through regular meetings that provide direct access to elected officials, we empower residents to raise their voices, share their concerns, and take an active role in shaping the future of East Lakeview.

At the heart of ELVN is a commitment to creating opportunities for neighbors to know one another—not just as fellow residents, but as friends, families, and collaborators in community life. Whether you're a lifelong Chicagoan or brand-new to the neighborhood, our events—from pancake breakfasts to movies in the park to the best Oktoberfest celebration on the North Side—are designed to be warm, welcoming, and joyful points of connection.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we also take pride in giving back. Proceeds from our events help fund East Lakeview schools and nonprofits, reinforcing our belief that strong communities care for one another. Through every meeting, celebration, and initiative, ELVN works to ensure East Lakeview is not just where we live—but a place we truly belong.

Our Board

ELVN’s Board of Directors are pulled from a cross-section of our community. We are residents, business owners, and employees. If you would like to be more active in community life, we encourage you to attend our meetings, and perhaps join our board!

Board member elections are held every year at our March Community meeting. Each member of the board is elected for a two-year term; the terms are staggered, so every year one-half of the posts are up for election.

  • Christina Pinson has lived in and out of the Lakeview Area for the past 13 years. Most recently as of 2022 she resides at the corner of Waveland & Wilton with her Wife Melissa and their cat Gypsy who takes advantage of all their window ledges to people watch. Christina has worked for Wintrust Mortgage for the past 8 years and as we all know Wintrust is active in many communities and Lakeview is no exception. Prior to working for Wintrust Christina was a Realtor with Dream Town Realty and sold multiple properties on the northside of Chicago for 5 years. Christina has a deep non-profit history as a volunteer and was the former President & CEO of the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce that was at that time headquartered in Lakeview for almost 9 years. Her degree is in Non-Profit management which gives her a unique perspective on operations, community involvement and fundraising. In her spare time Christina is usually at Wrigley Field either enjoying her season tickets or working to protect one of the best places on earth. She is excited to give back to her community in any way that she can.

  • Patrick Nagle has lived in Lakeview for the past 17 years and has worked as an attorney for 28 years. Patrick currently serves as the nation’s Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration. He has been an ELVN board member for the past twelve years as well as a member of Alderman Cappleman’s Zoning and Development Committee. His wife and he are raising two children in the neighborhood and he is invested in making this community an optimal place for people to live and work.

  • Kit  and her wife decided to make Lakeview East their permanent home in 2012 after having lived in numerous cities. By profession, Kit is a Real Estate Broker with Baird & Warner, specializing in residential and small commercial real estate sales throughout Chicagoland, but focuses her business primarily on the North side of the City, and the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area. In 2017, Kit and her wife bought their second property within the East Lakeview boundaries, a 2-flat building on the 3700 block of North Kenmore Ave. They have opened an Airbnb in the second floor unit of their new home, and are now landlords for the condo property they used to live in at the corner of Grace and Fremont. Kit has become an active member in the Lakeview East/LGBT community, as a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and serving on the Boards of The Legacy Project and the Grace Condos Association. Kit is also an avid SCUBA diver and volunteer at The Shedd Aquarium.

  • Erika is a proud East Lakeview and 44th Ward resident. Professionally, she has spent years working on Democratic political campaigns, providing organizing, fundraising, political, and management expertise to candidates running for a variety of public offices, ranging from Ward Committeeperson to the United States House of Representatives. She sits on the board of Young Chicago Lakefront and is a member of the 44th Ward Democrats, QForce, and One Northside. Erika is passionate about public service and community engagement and is eager to build deeper connections with her neighbors while continuing to foster community in East Lakeview.

  • Brian has lived, worked, and owned property in East Lakeview for most of his life.  Upon marrying wife Jaime, they moved back into the same apartment that he grew up on Sheffield Avenue.  In the following years, his 2 sons were born in the same home.  He’s worked in his family’s business at Murphy’s Bleachers and also has managed Mrs. Murphy & Sons restaurant as well as worked in property management.  For several years, Brian has served as the principal organizer for ELVN’s Oktoberfest.  During that time, Oktoberfest raised well over $100,000 for local area charities and schools.  Throughout his life, he has watched East Lakeview evolve into the thriving community that it is today.  Brian looks forward to continuing to take an active role in helping this neighborhood reach its full potential.

Board of Directors

  • Logan Coplan has proudly called the Chicago Lakeview neighborhood home for the past two years. Before relocating to Chicago, he spent five years in Minneapolis, where he actively contributed to the Citizens for a Loring Park Community (CLPC). In this role, Logan focused on advocacy and community development in Loring Park, a vibrant area known for its strong LGBT+ presence, similar to East Lakeview.

    Logan has a proven track record in securing funding for community initiatives, having fact-checked and crafted over 30 grant applications. Notably, he played a key role in successfully obtaining a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) exceeding half a million dollars dedicated to preserving affordable housing in the neighborhood.

    Logan is eager to bring his passion and skills to the East Lakeview Neighbors board, ensuring that our community continues to thrive and support its diverse population.

  • Maureen T. Martino is the Executive Director for the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce and manages two Special Service Areas in the commercial district consisting of Central, Lakeview East and Wrigleyville. Maureen lends counsel to outlying civic, public, and non-profit organizations to foster growth and economic development. Maureen has served on Mayor Daley, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and local elected official’s Economic Development Advisory and Zoning Committees. She recently joined the Steering Committee for the States Attorney’s office. She volunteers her time at various neighborhood non-profit associations and continues to improve the quality of life and safety in Lakeview.

  • Item description

  • Item description

  • Item description