Human Rights Commissioners 

Martin R. Castro, Esq.
Chairman

Marty Castro is the President of Castro Synergies, LLC, which provides strategic consulting services to corporations, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations seeking to have a positive social impact on diverse communities.

In March 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Castro Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights ("USCCR"), making him the agency's eighth Chair since the formation of the USCCR, and the first Latino Chairperson in the history of the USCCR.

Prior to forming Castro Synergies, Chairman Castro practiced law and was a partner at several prestigious law firms, including Baker & McKenzie, then the world's largest international law firm; and was Vice President of External Affairs at Aetna, where he helped to address issues of healthcare inequalities. 

The constant thread throughout Chairman Castro's career has been his personal commitment to giving back to the community. Chairman Castro has been an active leader in community, civil and philanthropic organizations, and blue ribbon and governmental committees. Chairman Castro is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Chicago Community Trust and Chair of the board of the National Museum of Mexican Art. 

Mr. Castro was appointed as Chair of the Commission in December 2009.

David Chang
Commissioner

David Chang is a retired restaurateur and is a leader in Chicago's Asian American Community. 

Mr. Chang was first appointed to the Commission in 2003, and he was reappointed in April 2012.

Robert A. Cantone
Commissioner

Robert A. Cantone is an attorney with the law firm of Goldstein, Bender & Romanoff in Chicago. Since 1986, his practice has involved handling personal injury claims on behalf of persons who have been injured due to motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, product defects and medical malpractice. Additionally, he has acted as an arbitrator for the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration program since 1990. He is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. 

Mr. Cantone was appointed to the Commission in March 2011.

Terry Cosgrove
Commissioner

Terry Cosgrove has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of human rights for over  30 years. Mr. Cosgrove served as Chair of the Urbana, Illinois Human Relations Commission from 1976-1979. Cosgrove has played a major role in promoting public awareness about the importance of Human Rights laws, helping to pass both the Urbana and Champaign Illinois Human Rights Ordinances in the 1970s. These two ordinances were the first in Illinois to include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, source of income and familial status. In 1980, Mr. Cosgrove was one of two plaintiffs in a precedent-setting legal action successfully challenging discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation in public accommodations. Mr. Cosgrove is currently President & CEO of Personal PAC which supports access to the full range of reproductive health care for everyone in Illinois. 

Mr. Cosgrove was appointed to the Commission in March 2011.

Nabi R. Fakroddin, P.E., S.E.
Commissioner

Nabi R. Fakroddin is a licensed Professional and Structural Engineer. Mr. Fakroddin is Past President of the Illinois Engineering Council and the Illinois Association of County Engineers.  He is a member of the St. Charles Zoning Board of Appeals and a former member of the Western Illinois Regional Manpower and Planning Commission. Mr. Fakroddin is the recipient of numerous awards, including APWA's Top Ten Public Works Leaders in the U.S. and a Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

Mr. Fakroddin was appointed to the Commission in March 2010.

Marylee V. Freeman is the Director of Intergovernmental Outreach for the City of Chicago and has previously served as the City's Community Group Coordinator.

Ms. Freeman was appointed to the Commission in 1999.

Spencer Leak, Sr.
Commissioner

Spencer Leak, Sr. is President of Leak and Sons Funeral Home.

Mr. Leak was appointed to the Commission in 2001.

Rozanne Ronen
Commissioner

Rozanne Ronen is an Information Technology independent contractor and has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. 

Ms. Ronen was appointed to the Commission in 2004.

Diane Viverito
Commissioner

Diane Viverito is an administrator in student development at Moraine Valley Community College. Ms. Viverito is a founding member and past Chair of Study Illinois Consortium. Ms. Viverito is an advocate for community college international and diversity education.

Ms. Viverito was appointed to the Commission in 2005.

David J. Walsh
Commissioner

David J. Walsh joined Mark J. Walsh & Company in 2011 as the head of business development. MJW & CO is a Chicago-based commodity trading advisor. He worked as the Senior Vice President of advertising for the Minneapolis Star Tribune from 2008-2010. Prior to joining the Star Tribune, Walsh worked in a variety of positions within the Tribune Company-where his last position was as Vice President of advertising for the Los Angeles Times. Before joining the Times in 2005, he served as Vice President of Tribune Interactive, overseeing print and online classified strategies for 10 Tribune newspapers.

Mr. Walsh was appointed to the Commission in October 2011.

Patricia Bakalis Yadgir
Commissioner

Ms. Yadgir was appointed to the Commission in June 2011.