Shelley A. Davis is a leader with more than 25 years of experience helping mission-driven

organizations strengthen their governance, plan for leadership transitions, organizational

culture, and build long-term sustainability. Her work is anchored in a deep belief that access,

equity, and opportunity should be within reach for all families and communities.

Shelley began her career in crisis intervention counseling and policy advocacy before moving

into philanthropy, shaped by graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and early

career positions at The Field Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and The Joyce Foundation. These

experiences cemented her commitment to stewarding resources responsibly and partnering

with communities to create lasting change.

She has held significant leadership roles across the sector, including Vice President at the

Chicago Foundation for Women and inaugural Executive Director of the Forest Preserve

Foundation. Most recently, as President and CEO of The Coleman Foundation, Shelley led a

$200M institution through its first strategic plan, governance strengthening, and focused

grantmaking of over $10M annually to advance entrepreneurship, health, and disability

inclusion.

Today, Shelley serves as a fractional nonprofit executive and governance advisor through South

Shore Synergy, where she supports organizations navigating succession planning, leadership

transitions, talent systems, and culture change. She also serves as Senior Consultant to the

Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, helping grantee organizations enhance executive leadership and

board effectiveness.

Shelley’s civic leadership includes serving as a Trustee of Lawrence University and as a Partner

with SVP Chicago. She previously served for a decade as an Illinois Commissioner of Juvenile

Justice and as Chair of the Albert Pick Jr. Fund (2016–2025). She is also a member of the

Economic Club of Chicago and the Chicago Chapter of the Private Directors Association.

She occasionally lectures at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and the

University of Chicago Booth School of Business’s Rustandy Center for Social Innovation, where

she mentors graduate students on how nonprofits and philanthropy influence public policy.

Recognized as a Top Philanthropist by Better Media Group and named to Crain’s Chicago

Business Notable Black Leaders and Who’s Who lists (2022–2024), Shelley brings both expertise

and heart to every engagement. She lives in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood with her

husband and two young adult children and finds joy in storytelling, biking, swimming, yoga, and

travel.