Andrea Sáenz

Andrea Sáenz (pronounced ahn-dray-a sigh-enz) is the president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. The Trust, one of the nation’s largest and oldest community foundations, has a strategic focus on closing the Chicago region’s racial and ethnic wealth gap. Before being named president and CEO in 2022, Sáenz served as the Trust’s chief operating officer, overseeing strategy delivery, information technology, learning and impact, and talent teams. She previously led strategy, program design, evaluation, and organizational development for Chicago Public Library, a system of more than 80 neighborhood branches. Before joining the Library, Sáenz was chief of staff to the Chicago Public Schools CEO, policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Education Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, and executive director of HACE, a national nonprofit working collaboratively with employers, universities, and schools to increase Latinx entry and success in professional careers. She began her social sector career leading community-based adult education and workforce development services at Congreso de Latinos Unidos in Philadelphia. In 2019, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Sáenz as one of Chicago’s 25 Most Powerful Latinos. She has participated in leadership and learning opportunities through membership in the Economic Club of Chicago, the Broad Residency in Urban Education, and Leadership Greater Chicago. Her volunteer service includes mentoring at 1871, Chicago’s tech entrepreneurship hub, the Baumhart Center at Loyola University, and the Ladder, a program of Chicago Innovation. Her extensive board service includes National Louis University, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Albert Pick Jr. Fund, Chicago Learning Exchange, Chicago Public Education Fund, Chicago Public Library Foundation, and Chicago United. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Scripps College. Sáenz, an immigrant from Ecuador, grew up in Los Angeles.