Kartemquin Films

Aira joined Kartemquin Films in Summer 2025, bringing five years of experience in fundraising and external affairs within Chicago’s philanthropic landscape. Fondly known by colleagues as the “Disney Princess of Development,” Aira leads with heart, optimism, and a deep belief in the magic that happens when people are inspired to give toward causes that reflect their values.
She has supported a range of education and youth-serving organizations with operating budgets from $2M to $10M, with a particular love for individual giving. Aira approaches development through a community-centric lens: prioritizing trust, relationships, and shared power to help build movements, not just donor lists.
A two-time alumna of City Year Chicago, Aira served both in a world studies classroom in Rogers Park and as a Civic Engagement Project Leader, organizing volunteer efforts across the city, including Chicago’s largest MLK Jr. Day of Service. Her love for Chicago is rooted in these moments of collective care and community action.
A proud immigrant from the Philippines, Aira is passionate about building spaces that celebrate and uplift the rich diversity of AANHPI communities. She earned her degree in Global Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was a Social Innovation Fellow with the Gies College of Business’ iVenture Accelerator and a nationally-ranked speaker with the University of Illinois Speech & Debate Team—the nation’s top student-led team. There, she deepened her commitment to human-centered design, storytelling, and advocacy across cultural contexts.
Outside of work, Aira can often be found writing poetry on long CTA commutes, singing at open mic nights with her ukulele, and hunting for the city’s best matcha latte.