Arnaldo (Arnie) Rivera
Arnaldo (Arnie) Rivera was named Chief Administrative and Equity Officer of Navy Pier in May 2021. In this newly created executive-level position, Arnie leads the Pier’s key administrative functions, including People and Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Community Engagement, Legal, and Data Analytics. As a member of the executive leadership team, Arnie works to advance Navy Pier’s mission and values as the organization celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a nonprofit and recovers from the pandemic.
Arnie is the former Chief Operating Officer for Chicago Public Schools. As the District’s Chief Operating Officer, he oversaw all operational functions within CPS. This was a natural extension of his previous responsibilities, which included developing and maintaining the District’s operating budget, planning and executing the Full School Day Outreach Program, and expanding the International Baccalaureate Programs in CPS high schools.
Prior to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Arnie served the students, staff and families of Chicago Public Schools in various roles, including Budget Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Public Policy, Chicago Board of Education member, and most importantly, a first grade teacher. Arnie was also on the teams that successfully negotiated the past two contracts with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Arnie’s previous roles also include Senior Strategic Advisor for After School Matters and Chief Operating Officer for the Chicago Public Education Fund. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Education under Mayor Emanuel, where he coordinated the administration’s education policy from early childhood through community college.
Arnie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy, both from Northwestern University.