About

Jessica Cannaday currently serves as the Executive Director of the Community Park District of La Grange Park. She began her career in parks and recreation as the Lisle Park District’s PR and advertising specialist in 2004 and also served as the Marketing Manager for the Oak Brook Park District from 2010-2019. 

Jessica is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), and holds a BA in Writing and Publishing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She has served several leadership positions within IPRA, including Communications and Marketing Section Director, Agency Showcase Chair, and Conference Planning Committee. Jessica has authored several published articles covering topics from using technology in communication to creating healthy communities through partnerships. She was recently featured on the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Open Space Radio Podcast to discuss the importance of inclusivity and the concept of Universal Recreation.

Awards and Recognition
Since entering the field, she has been awarded IPRA’s Communications and Marketing Professional of the Year, IPRA C&M Creativity Award, IPRA C&M Vision Award, and IPRA C&M Rising Star Award. Her 2018 Open Space Public Communications Campaign was recognized by the Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) with a Golden Trumpet Award, and by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)-Chicago Chapter with a Skyline Award. In 2022, the Community Park District of La Grange Park was recognized with the IPRA Outstanding Park and Facility Award for the Memorial Park Sports Court project - the first capital improvement project Jessica oversaw as Executive Director for the agency.