Join us!

Community Impact Awardees

Detective Sandra Baptiste has dedicated 36 years to law enforcement, including nearly two decades with the Harvey Police Department, where she serves in the Investigations, Youth, and Special Victims Services unit. Known for her integrity and compassion, she has strengthened her trauma-informed approach through YWCA’s 40-Hour Crisis Intervention Training and works closely with advocates to ensure sexual assault survivors are treated with dignity, empathy, and respect. A champion for survivor-centered practices, Detective Baptiste actively encourages collaboration between law enforcement and YWCA staff, helping shift the culture within her department to better support survivors during their most vulnerable moments.

A 2024 graduate of the YWCA’s Breedlove Small Business Accelerator, Layla Bitoy-Dillon is the founder and CEO of Bitoy’s Sweet Treats, a Chicago-based gourmet confections brand that has grown from a local storefront into a nationally recognized business with placements in major airports and online marketplaces. Through Breedlove, she accelerated her company’s growth while building a resilient, digital-first model that serves customers nationwide. Committed to giving back, Layla serves on the board of BUILD Chicago and contributes to community grantmaking through the Together Fund, helping direct resources and opportunities to underinvested neighborhoods. Through her leadership, business success, and dedication to uplifting others, particularly women and entrepreneurs of color, she embodies the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women every day.

Under the leadership of CEO George Wright, The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is advancing equitable access to economic opportunity across the region by connecting residents to quality jobs and career pathways. Since stepping into the role in 2023 following a distinguished career in community investment and banking, Wright has brought a deep commitment to workforce equity, inclusive growth, and community empowerment. Through strategic partnerships, employer engagement, and a focus on underserved communities, Wright and The Partnership are helping dismantle barriers to employment while creating sustainable pathways to financial stability. In strong and steadfast collaboration with the YWCA, this work is further amplified—empowering individuals, strengthening family economic resilience, and expanding equitable access to opportunity for communities across Cook County.