Darlene Oliver Hightower, J.D., is President & CEO of Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), an independent nonpartisan regional planning and policy organization. Darlene leads the organization’s strategic vision, shaping ambitious goals that will strengthen the impact...

Mariana Souto-Manning, PhD,”¯became Erikson’s fifth President in September 2021. Mariana has served as professor of education at Teachers College, Columbia University and held additional academic appointments at the University of Iceland and King’s College London....

As CEO of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (The CAFE Group), Liz Thompson is deeply engaged in the social innovation and philanthropic communities. The CAFE Group provides financial and programmatic support to Leaders...

Melissa T. Merrick, PhD, is President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. She has more...

As president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s largest and oldest community foundations, Andrea Sáenz works to bring to life a vision to realize a stronger and more prosperous Chicago...

Karen Freeman-Wilson began serving as President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League in January 2020. She brings a passion for equity and social justice to the organization, which works to advance economic, educational, and...

Felicia Davis Blakley is the CEO of Primo Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to providing shelter, support, and services to families experiencing homelessness. Under her leadership, Primo Center takes a holistic approach to breaking the...

In March 2020, Karen Tamley became the new President and CEO of Access Living, a Chicago-based service and advocacy non-profit organization for people with disabilities. In her new role, Karen has returned to her roots,...

Sharon Bush is the President of Grand Victoria Foundation, a $150 million grantmaking organization with annual giving of $10 million to nonprofit organizations across Illinois. With over 20 years in the social sector, Sharon has...

As Chief Executive Officer, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot oversees the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization and third largest U.S. charity according to Forbes. Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries...