CHICAGO BEYOND - Key Persons
Having lived all over the Midwest, with stops in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Advait is happy to now call Chicago home. He has always had a passion for service, from leading toy and book drives for local non-profits and hospital programs in high school to mentoring his Little through Big Brothers Big Sisters for the past few years. As a member of the Strategy & Operations team, Advait is excited to develop and execute upon projects that support our investment partners and improve the lives of youth in Chicago.
Advait holds his B.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Duke University. He previously served as a Business Analyst for McKinsey & Company, working primarily to improve outcomes in both universities and health systems as part of the Public and Social Sector practice.
Born and raised in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, Alfonso is a graduate of Chicago Public Schools. Before joining Chicago Beyond, Alfonso spent over 20 years teaching and leading the instructional work at various Chicago Public Schools and Network offices on the South and West sides of Chicago. Alfonso is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and has coached ten teachers to achieve National Board Certification. As Chief of Staff - working closely with our Founder & CEO, Liz Dozier, Alfonso ensures that we as an organization are operating at maximum efficiency and productivity.
Alfonso holds an A.B. in Spanish Literature with a minor in Studio Arts from Dartmouth College and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. He loves international travel, the arts, and learning world languages.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing Strategy
For several decades, Dori has marched to protest political, racial and social injustices. After scores of protests and demonstrations, mostly in her hometown of Chicago, but also in St. Louis, Washington, D.C. and Ferguson, she is grateful to be able to focus her time and energy on the struggle for equity by joining Chicago Beyond. In her role, she is dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories that need to be heard to help continue our journey toward freedom for all.
Dori previously led global marketing communications and orchestrated global brand strategy development and deployment at Mars/Wrigley. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Spanish. She is energized by live music, film and international travel.
Job Titles:
- LEADERSHIP PARTNER
- Managing Director, Justice Initiatives
Dr. Tapia is fighting to build emotional wellness for our youth. A clinical psychologist, she received her doctorate of psychology from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology in 2008. She's also the former warden of the Cook County Department of Corrections, transforming the system's treatment of mental health. Dr. Tapia loves Chicago, Chicagoans (we have a rhythm like no other, she says) and Chicago hot dogs.
Dr. Tapia, psychologist and former warden and Executive Director of the Cook County Department of Corrections, is our first Leader in Residence. We're providing her with strategic and communications support on her mission to improve the mental health of young Chicagoans. During her fellowship, she is developing initiatives to influence the support of a trauma-sensitive city for Chicago's youth including those whose parents have been incarcerated.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy & Operations Officer
Eva, born and raised in Chicago's Chinatown, is a graduate of Chicago Public Schools and a first-generation college graduate. She's always been appreciative of the people who supported and advised her along the way and she's here to pay it forward to Chicago's youth. As Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Eva finds our path forward and figures out how best to operationalize it.
Eva obtained her A.B. in Government at Harvard University and her M.B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. She has led strategy, digital, and operations projects at McKinsey & Company and has advised not-for-profit healthcare systems on financing needs at Barclays.
Jeanine Valrie Logan joins Chicago Beyond as part of our Leadership Venture and has been named our new Leader in Residence.
Jeanine is a birth equity champion who works to address inequities in Black maternal health. She is currently working on the development of the Chicago South Side Birth Center, a nonprofit, Black midwife-led, culturally concordant, community-focused birth center to be located on Chicago's South Side.
The lack of supportive birthing options available to pregnant Black women and people on the South Side has created what the Chicago Tribune has called a birthing desert, forcing them to travel far beyond where they live to seek adequate prenatal care, and to deliver. In August of 2021, Jeanine's work was influential in pushing through Illinois House Bill 738, which aims to expand access to birth centers across the City of Chicago.
One of eight children, Jenna was born on Chicago's South Side and has a long familial connection to this great city. A born builder of relationships, Jenna sees herself in everyone, making human rights violations and social injustices deeply angering. As a servant leader, Jenna's career has spanned the design, nonprofit, education, and philanthropic sectors. She is most passionate about advancing culturally relevant approaches and supporting local leaders who are already solving their community's most pressing challenge s.
Jenna holds her B.A. from DePaul University, as well as an M.A. in Multicultural Communication from DePaul University, and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from North Park University. She has previously worked as the Partnerships Manager for Philanthropy University; the V.P of Programs at Watson Institute; and as the Project Manager for the Ghanaian portfolio at the IDP Foundation in Chicago.
Jon is here for the challenge - to solve real, hard problems and help empower the young people of Chicago. His work as a Strategy Associate puts him on a wide variety of projects relating to analysis and research - from developing guides that highlight community assets to exploring the state of social enterprise s. Jon loves Chi cago's lakeshore in the summer and is a Bears fanatic.
Jon holds his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Technology & Management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has previously served as an Associate Consultant for Bain and Company.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategy and Operations
Josh grew up in the suburbs of Chicagoland and considers the City of Big Shoulders his home. In his early career, Josh's experiences as a teacher in the South Bronx transformed his life and began his journey toward advancing love and justice in the world. At Chicago Beyond, Josh supports the development and execution of organizational strategy to ensure all young people have the opportunity to live a free and full life. Outside of work, Josh whole-heartedly enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar in a 90s/00s rock cover band, and eating Portillo's.
Josh holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, a M.S. in Teaching from Fordham University, and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He previously served public and social sector clients as an Associate at McKinsey & Company, led fundraising efforts as the Director of Development and Communications at Hyde Leadership Charter School, and guided students' learning as an English and Special Education teacher.
Job Titles:
- Director of Creative and Communications
A lifelong Chicagoan, Katie has led communications ef forts for a variety of institutions including Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago City Treasurer, and Illinois' former Governor, Pat Quinn. Katie joined us for the opportunity to impact our city and its kids in a unique way. She crafts our story, oversees our communications efforts and ensures the team is helping our partners tell their stories creatively. She loves tiny details, graphic design, and spending time with her rescue lab-mix, Crosby.
Katie holds her B.A. in Communications and Media from St. Norbert College.
Lisa has spent her entire career working with individuals, communities and organizations addressing inequities in the social service, healthcare, and higher-education sectors. While the approaches, people and localities have varied, Lisa‘s passion to support local solutions and deepen organizational capacity to effect change remains unwavering. A recent transplant to Chicago, she is excited to partner with leaders and organizations in the communities of this vibrant city.
Lisa holds an A.B. in Anthropology and Latin American, Latino & Caribbean Studies from Dartmouth College, and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Foraker Group.
From education to activism, Liz Dozier has spent her career working tirelessly to disrupt the culture of inequity that is often pervasive in urban neighborhoods. During her tenure as principal at Fenger Academy High School, Liz and her team turned the school from one of the most violent and underperforming schools in Chicago to a leader in restorative justice practices, academic interventions and social emotional learning.
Liz holds her B.S. from Eastern Illinois University, her M.Ed. from National Louis University and is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Mathematics. She formerly served as the Principal of Fenger High School; as the Turnaround Strategist at Harper High School; and as the New Leaders Residential Principal at Jones College Prep.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Investments
Monique's career has been defined by a passion for equity. In the past this has taken her from teaching elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, to leading strategy projects for non-profit, government, and foundation clients as a member of the Boston Consulting Group's Education, Employment, and Welfare practice. Monique is thrilled to be a part of the Chicago Beyond team - continually improving how we find organizations, structure investments, and help our partners grow.
Monique received her BA from Harvard University, her MA in Childhood Education from the City University of New York, and her MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Senior Brand Innovation Manager
Roger was born and raised right here in Chicago, graduating from Chicago Public Schools. He's always felt a responsibility towards the city, but in his past life as a journalist, he was only able to observe and report. Now, through Chicago Beyond, he can be active and contribute, dreaming of big ideas to share the work we do fighting for the city's young people.
Roger holds his B.A. from DePaul University. He has previously served as the Multimedia Producer at the Chicago Tribune and Hoy Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Chief Investments Officer
Investing has a flow. With attention to the whole, not just the investor's part, what is possible grows. Shruti brings this orientation to her role. She loves people, and the unlikely combinations of methods and disciplines Chicago Beyond uses in our work for youth equity.
Shruti holds degrees from Harvard College and the Yale Law School. She previously served as Vice President of Market Strategies at AVIA, helped launch a Medicaid health plan at County hospital, and acted as an attorney at Latham & Watkins LLP.
Steve is from Chicago, a lifelong Roseland resident, and is proud to bring his voice to all we do. Justice and youth equity are his life's work, and Chicago Beyond lets him approach the issues from a different angle, supporting communities that are often marginalized in innovative ways. He loves working hand-in-hand with our partners.
Steve has his B.A. in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University and his M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago with a concentration in Violence Prevention. He has previously served as a Director at Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. and helped launch the program here in Chicago.