Leadership & President’s Office

The Trust is a dedicated team of individuals who strive to make good happen every day. We are honored, challenged and inspired by the daily opportunities to help make change in our communities. We look forward to connecting with you.

Mural in Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Photo: A Rahmann Statik mural in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

Trust Leadership

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  • Andrea Sáenz

    President & CEO

    Andrea Sáenz is the President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, a community foundation whose strategic focus is on closing the racial and ethnic…

  • Sheila M. Cawley

    Chief Philanthropy Officer

    Sheila M. Cawley is the chief philanthropy officer for The Chicago Community Trust. Cawley leads a team of philanthropic experts committed to partnering with donors…

  • Clothilde Ewing

    Vice President of Strategic Communications

    Clothilde Ewing is vice president of strategic communications for The Chicago Community Trust. Ewing leads the foundation’s strategic communications team and manages the development, integration,…

  • Sylvia I. Garcia

    Chief Operating Officer

    Sylvia I. Garcia is the chief operating officer for The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Sylvia is responsible for delivering on the Trust’s mission and vision by leading its…

  • Lisa Jericho

    Vice President of Innovation & Technology

    Lisa Jericho is vice president of Innovation & Technology at The Chicago Community Trust. She is responsible for leading the Technology team, focused on business…

  • Marisa Novara

    Vice President of Community Impact

    Marisa Novara is the vice president of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust. As the Vice President of Community Impact for The Chicago Community…

  • Amy Peña

    General Counsel

    Amy J. Peña is general counsel to The Chicago Community Trust where she provides a wide range of legal guidance to the Trust ranging from…

  • Jessica Strausbaugh

    Chief Financial Officer

    Jessica Strausbaugh is chief financial officer for The Chicago Community Trust. Strausbaugh joined the Trust from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of…

  • Wendell Williams

    Senior Director of Talent & Administration

    Wendell Williams is the senior director for Talent & Administration at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring this 105…

President’s Office

  • Jasmine Edwards

    Executive Assistant to the COO

    Jasmine Edwards is the executive assistant to the COO at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Jasmine is responsible for welcoming guests and employees…

  • Michelle Goldberg

    Senior Executive Assistant & Scheduler

    Michelle Goldberg is the senior executive assistant to the President & CEO at The Chicago Community Trust. Prior to joining the Trust, she was the…

  • Jean B. Léger

    Paralegal

    Jean B. Léger is a paralegal for The Chicago Community Trust. Prior to the Trust, he worked for the American Red Cross, Humane Society of…

  • Daniel Tollefson

    Chief of Staff to the President & CEO

    Daniel Tollefson is the chief of staff to the president and CEO at The Chicago Community Trust. Tollefson joined the Trust after seven years of…

  • Vanessa Uribe

    Senior Advisor of Operational Strategy

  • Lauren M. Woods

    Program Manager for Press Forward Chicago

    Lauren M. Woods is the program manager for Press Forward Chicago at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she is responsible for leading grantmaking…