Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Appointment of Ashlee Gabrysch as Chief Financial Officer

CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his appointment of Ashlee Brianne Gabrysch as Chief Financial Officer for the City of Chicago. A public finance executive with more than 12 years of experience spanning municipal research, government, fiscal policy, and credit analysis, Gabrysch brings deep expertise working within the financial conditions of Chicago, Cook County, the State of Illinois, and local governments across the Midwest.

"Ashlee Gabrysch brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge of Chicago's finances and the fiscal challenges facing cities across Illinois and the country," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Her experience inside government, in public finance research, and analyzing Chicago's credit gives her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges before our city. Ashlee understands that sound financial management requires building the long-term stability necessary to continue making investments in neighborhoods, deliver essential services, and create a safer, more affordable Chicago. I look forward to working with her to strengthen our city's financial position and build a stronger fiscal future for Chicago."

As Chief Financial Officer, Gabrysch will provide executive leadership on the City's financial strategy, fiscal management, debt, revenue, long-term financial planning, and financial reporting. In that capacity, she will work across City departments and with the Mayor's Office, City Council, financial stakeholders, labor partners, and residents to strengthen the City's financial position and support responsible, sustainable investments in Chicago's future.

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"I am honored to join the City of Chicago and serve the city that has shaped my professional career in public finance," said CFO Ashlee Gabrysch. "I have spent more than a decade studying and working on the fiscal issues facing Chicago and Illinois, both inside government and from the perspective of the municipal credit markets. I know the seriousness of the challenges before us, but I also know the strength and resilience of this city. I look forward to bringing my experience, analytical rigor, and commitment to public service to the City of Chicago and working with the Mayor, City departments, elected officials, and communities across Chicago to build a stronger and more sustainable financial future."

Gabrysch most recently served as Senior Director and Mid-Central Region Manager at Fitch Ratings, where she was a lead analyst covering the City of Chicago and State of Illinois since 2019. She oversaw credit analysis across a portfolio of more than $50 billion in state and local government issuers, evaluating debt, pensions, revenues, and long-term fiscal performance. She regularly engaged with elected officials, senior government leaders, investors, and the media on Chicago and Illinois fiscal conditions, and her analysis was frequently cited by national and regional outlets.

At Fitch, Gabrysch also led governance and methodology initiatives for a 25-person regional team and provided coaching and professional development to analysts. She served as Global Chair of the Fitch Women's Network, a 1,400-member organization spanning 18 cities and six continents, overseeing its strategy, governance, and programming,.

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Previously, Gabrysch served as Deputy Director of Secure Choice at the Illinois State Treasurer's Office, where she helped build compliance, enforcement, and operational infrastructure for Illinois' first statewide retirement savings mandate. She worked directly with members of the Illinois General Assembly to advance legislation and delivered data-driven briefings to legislators and the media.

Gabrysch also spent three years in the Cook County Office of the Chief Financial Officer as a Financial Research Analyst IV, supporting bond issuance, debt management, procurement, financial reporting, litigation strategy, and senior-level fiscal decision-making. Earlier, she served as a Senior Research Associate at The Civic Federation, analyzing Chicago-area public agencies, and began her public service career as a UChicago Mayor Daley Fellowship Intern with the City of Gary, Indiana.

Gabrysch earned a Master of Public Policy with distinction from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, where she concentrated in public finance, and a bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Chicago. Her leadership and expertise were recognized with the C.C. DuBois Alumni Service Award, the Bond Buyer Rising Star Award, and multiple Fitch ACE Awards. She also served on the boards of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and the Chicago Summer Business Institute.

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