ABOUT ME

My name is Aishwarya Balakrishna, and I am proud to announce my candidacy for Naperville Park District Commissioner!

As a daughter of Indian-American immigrants, I have approached my entire professional career with the values of hard work, inclusion, and service instilled in me by my family and my neighbors. As a graduate of District 204 Schools, and a lifelong Naperville resident, I am blessed to receive so much from our community members, and I am dedicated to giving back to them.

With a bachelor’s in health sciences from Purdue and a master’s in public health from Benedictine, I am committed to fostering healthier communities through evidence-based approaches and community-driven initiatives.

In my role as a Community Health Educator with the Will County Health Department, I design, implement, and evaluate public health education programs that address key community needs. Building community consensus has always been the bedrock of my work. As the Vice President of the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and an Executive Council Member of the Illinois Public Health Association, I’ve put my skills towards advocacy, collaboration, and leadership—all of which I will bring to the Naperville Park District.

Beyond my professional work, I am deeply involved in organizing and advocacy, both locally and nationally. By serving on advisory councils for our elected officials, working on advocacy campaigns, and leading youth-focused initiatives, I’ve gained hands-on experience in bringing people together to address our common challenges. I also work to amplify diverse voices, fueling my passion for creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels like they belong.

Naperville’s parks and its programs are vital to our community’s well-being and identity. Our common spaces are where we connect and form community bonds. As someone who grew up in our parks and continues to use its programs to this day, I have experienced this firsthand and want to make our parks and programs more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all of our residents.

I believe that our parks are more than just green spaces; they are investments in our communities. If elected, I will dedicate myself to preserving, protecting, and expanding these spaces while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Together, we can build a vibrant and inclusive Naperville for ALL!