As CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, I lead by example, inspiring teams of dedicated youth workers and subject matter experts to foster meaningful relationships and create key partnerships that help...

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Nicole R. Robinson has spent her career building bridges between communities, individuals, government, and business leaders. Today Nicole serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the YWCA Metropolitan...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Na’ilah Suad Nasir is the sixth President of the Spencer Foundation which invests in education research that cultivates learning and transforms lives. She held a faculty appointment at the University of California, Berkeley from 2008-2019,...

Chief Development and Marketing Officer at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Retired CEO of the Girl Scouts of Chicago; Teaching at Kellogg School of Management; Consulting with Non-Profits in the areas of fund development, board governance,...