Orlando Mayorga

A black-and-white headshot of a bald-headed man with a trimmed beard. He wears a patterned button-up shirt. There are three graphic circles behind him: one yellow, one light blue and one white.

McCormick Reentry Policy Coordinator, Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative – Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Orlando Mayorga serves the Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative as McCormick Reentry Policy Coordinator. Orlando’s passion to reverse the adverse effects of mass incarceration in Illinois is informed by the 20 years he spent in the Illinois Department of Corrections. As a part of his work, Orlando collaborates with reentry stakeholders and individuals transitioning out of incarceration to create an ecosystem of holistic support and a healing-centered process in support of people impacted by harm. His advocacy efforts to promote policy that is restorative and transformative have led to collaborative initiatives that provide Illinois State Identification Cards for people released from prisons in Illinois. He is also the co-founder of People’s Liberty Project, a trauma-informed, peer-led support group centered on healing and policy reform advocacy designed to remove post-incarceration barriers to healthy reintegration into society.

Orlando is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

Your support turns hope into action

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

More University of Chicago Scholars 2022-2023

More About the Scholars Program

Two women are hugging each other at an event. The first woman's face is obscured from the camera. She has dark hair and is wearing a black shirt and black pants. The second woman is turned towards the camera and smiling. She has a deep olive complexion, long dark hair, and is wearing a red jacket with black pants. Behind them, a woman in a blue dress stands off to the side.

More About the Scholars Program

The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

Learn More