Kasandra Negrete

Kasandra is a dedicated economic policy professional with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and equity. Born and raised in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, she is a proud first-generation college graduate with a B.S. in Economics from DePaul University.

During college, she interned with asset management firms, gaining firsthand experience in the financial services industry and solidifying her commitment to addressing the racial wealth gap in the U.S. After graduating, Kasandra managed city funds and supported financial inclusion programs at the City of Chicago’s Office of the City Treasurer.

To deepen her impact on policy, Kasandra pursued CHCI’s 2021-2022 Public Policy Fellowship, leading her to Washington, D.C. As a legislative fellow, she worked with Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, advocating for policies such as affordable home loans and banking protections for her home district.

Most recently, as a Special Advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Kasandra provided critical support on domestic finance policy initiatives, broadening her expertise in macroeconomic issues. Her work has also sparked a growing interest in AI regulation in financial services and the impact of cross-border payment systems on vulnerable populations.