Dalia Zepeda

Interim Executive Assistant to Prof. James Heckman

dzepeda@uchicago.edu

Dalia Zepeda is a Chicago native and part of the administrative team at the Center for the Economics of Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Chicago. She brings more than 14 years of experience in executive support, administration, operations, training, and professional communications.

Prior to joining CEHD, Dalia worked at Healthcare Tele-Services, providing after-hours support to hospice organizations. Her experience required her to navigate highly sensitive, time-critical situations with patients, families, healthcare professionals, and organizational leaders while balancing compassion with operational needs. Her background in psychology helped her communicate effectively with families experiencing grief, fear, and uncertainty, including families of children receiving pediatric hospice care.

Dalia is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys building meaningful professional relationships, collaborating with others, and helping create environments in which people can succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, reading, traveling, and spending time with her five children.