OGS Part 9 With YuDam

Yusef & Adam envision their relationship will change post-pandemic and what’s next as they continue to grow individually and together.

Adam and Yusef are two of my favorite people. They’re change agents who are relationship and mission driven. And that doesn’t just apply to the people around them, but also to themselves. They’re a working example of a gay relationship that grows stronger through mindfulness, awareness, and dedication.

Yusef Garcia’s Bio

For more than 10 years, Yusef has been committed to helping build a more vibrant Chicago region through philanthropy and social impact. As Vice President of Development & Communications, Yusef and his team activate stakeholders with Forefront’s work plus deepen relationships through cultivating collaborative partnerships. Prior to joining Forefront, Yusef led institutional fundraising and engagement strategies for organizations focused on public media, arts & culture, and human services. Yusef actively volunteers as Chair of The Chicago History Museum’s OUT at CHM initiative, and serves as Board Member of AFC (AIDS Foundation of Chicago). In addition to his passion for convening partners, building relationships, and influencing social change, Yusef is a trained chef, having graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Yusef is a native of Chicago, a lover of House Music, and an avid volleyball player. He and his husband Adam live in the Uptown neighborhood with their dog and two cats.

Adam Christensen’s Bio

With operational and training development experience in the fields of medicine, behavioral health, and academic research, Adam is a highly collaborative and cross-functional Learning & Development leader supporting teams to manage change, grow, engage, and positively impact the communities they serve.

In his most recent role as Director for Learning & Development at Oak Street Health, his aim is always to ensure that team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide patients the highest quality of service and care possible. Additionally, Adam co-founded and currently co-chairs Oak Street Health’s first LGBTQIA+ People Resource Group.

Prior to joining Oak Street Health, Adam served in roles at UCSF, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, and NorthShore University Health System. He earned a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and an MA of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. Within these organizations he cultivated his passion for being part of a multidisciplinary team to lead the creation of smarter systems, efficient processes, and solid measurement frameworks – resulting in: increased engagement, quality improvement, revenue growth, employee engagement, and strategy development.

Adam lives with his husband, Yusef, in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, and is often soaking up the outdoors at a city beach or exploring one of the region’s vibrant communities.