Monique B. Jones, LCSW

Monique B. Jones, LCSW, is a visionary leader and nationally respected voice on mental health, philanthropy, and racial equity. Her career and civic leadership are grounded at the intersection of vulnerability and systems-where individuals and communities experience the greatest impact of oppression and inequity. As a thriving Multiple Sclerosis warrior, Monique brings lived experience to her work, using her platform to educate, advocate, and challenge audiences to reconsider how leadership, health, and equity intersect.

With more than 25 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, Monique currently serves as the fourth President & CEO of Forefront, Illinois’ premier organization dedicated to strengthening philanthropy, operating nonprofits, and their allies to improve outcomes for all people across the state. Under her leadership, Forefront advances innovative models of social impact, including its social enterprise, Converge Consulting, which provides accounting and bookkeeping services to Illinois businesses.

Previously, Monique served as the President & CEO at the Evanston Community Foundation, where she guided the organization through significant growth and transformation-expanding assets from $18 million to $31 million in five years. During her tenure, the Foundation established the Evanston Reparations Community Fund, the first of its kind in the nation within a community foundation, in support of the City of Evanston’s reparations resolution. Amid the COVID 19 pandemic, Monique led a critical restructuring of the Foundation, eliminating grant restrictions and raising more than $6 million to respond to urgent community needs. Her leadership is widely recognized for its clarity, courage, and effectiveness during moments of crisis.

In 2024, Monique was appointed to the State of Illinois African Descent Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC). She also serves on local and national boards advancing equitable access to housing, community services, mental health care, and multiple sclerosis research and treatment.

A sought after keynote speaker and trusted advisor, Monique translates complex social challenges into actionable insights for leaders across sectors. Her work consistently inspires audiences to lead with purpose, equity, and resilience.

Monique’s leadership has been recognized through numerous honors, including being named a 2025 Moxie Honoree by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault and a 2025 Quad County Urban League Women of Power Honoree. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow (Class of 2022), a 2020 Better Magazine Changemaker, the 2020 Evanston Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Person of the Year, the recipient of the 2018 NAACP Community Service Award, and the 2014 Nonprofit Champion of Diversity Award.

Based in Chicago, Monique finds joy in running, biking, golfing, and savoring life with her husband, daughter, and dog.