Christian Gamez

Children's Programming Manager
Lakeshore Sport & Fitness

Lead the strategic planning, daily operations, and continued growth of the Children's Department, overseeing a team of approximately 70 employees across multiple program areas. Manage all aspects of staffing, programming, payroll, and departmental operations while delivering exceptional experiences for members and families.

• Design, develop, and execute innovative children's programming, including sports leagues, camps, enrichment classes, educational activities, and family events.
• Direct and supervise a multidisciplinary team of 70 instructors, coaches, coordinators, childcare professionals, and support staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Serve as the direct supervisor for the facility's licensed childcare/daycare operation, overseeing daily services for approximately 100 children while ensuring safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate care.
• Managed childcare staffing, licensing compliance, operational procedures, safety protocols, and parent communication, ensuring high standards of care and service.
• Led the full employee lifecycle, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee departmental payroll, labor budgeting, scheduling, and workforce planning to maximize operational efficiency and control labor costs.
• Evaluated program performance through participation trends, member feedback, and operational metrics, leading to continuous improvement of offerings and increased member engagement.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional departments to develop new initiatives that align with organizational goals and enhance the overall member experience.
• Build strong relationships with members and families by proactively addressing concerns, resolving issues, and fostering a welcoming, family-focused environment.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, risk management procedures, child safety standards, and all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor emerging leaders within the department by providing coaching, leadership development, and opportunities for career growth.
• Executed large-scale events and seasonal programming, balancing staffing, logistics, budgets, and member satisfaction to enhance overall program success.

Legislative Intern
Office of Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (12th Ward), City of Chicago | Chicago, IL |

Supported the day-to-day operations of the 12th Ward office by assisting with constituent services, community outreach, and resident issue resolution. Worked directly with staff to enhance communication between local government and community members while helping ensure timely responses to neighborhood concerns.

• Communicated professionally with constituents in person, by phone, and via email, providing responsive and customer-focused service.
• Guided residents in navigating municipal resources, improving their access to city services.
• Coordinated and tracked 311 service requests, ensuring timely resolution of resident concerns related to sanitation, infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhood maintenance.
• Engaged residents in community outreach initiatives, promoting ward events and fostering stronger relationships between the alderwoman's office and the community.
• Collaborated with legislative staff to manage constituent casework, maintain accurate records, and prioritize community needs.
• Conducted research on neighborhood issues and assisted in preparing materials, correspondence, and informational resources for constituents and community events.