Shelley A. Davis is a social impact leader and strategist who brings mission-driven

solutions to the C-suite, advancing economic equity, particularly for low-income families

and communities. As a grant-maker, consultant, speaker, professor, and civic leader,

she is passionate about helping individuals enter, grow, and sustain their place in the

middle class.

In 2024, the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois appointed Shelley as Senior Consultant to

lead its new Program on Organizational Health & Sustainability. In this role, she offers

guidance, learning opportunities, and resources to the Fund’s legal aid grantees on

leadership, governance, and change management.

Shelley began her career in crisis intervention counseling and policy advocacy, where

she developed a deep commitment to stewarding resources for community upliftment.

As President and CEO of the Coleman Foundation, she designed and implemented the

organization’s first strategic plan, successfully redirecting 60% of its annual giving to

community-led equity initiatives focusing on economic mobility, health equity, and

statewide policy advocacy.

Other key roles include inaugural President and Executive Director of the Forest

Preserve Foundation of Cook County, Vice President of Chicago Foundation for

Women, Program Officer at the Joyce Foundation, Program Associate at The Ford

Foundation, and Fellow at The Field Foundation.

Shelley is also a noted civic leader. As past chair and current board member of the

Albert Pick Jr. Fund, she led the foundation’s transition to a diverse asset manager and

implemented ESG strategies to align 100% of its portfolio with its social justice mission.

She serves as a Trustee for Lawrence University and previously served for a decade as

an Illinois Commissioner of Juvenile Justice.

As a lecturer and senior mentor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public

Policy, Shelley teaches philanthropy and public policy while mentoring future social

impact leaders. She is a sought-after speaker at institutions like Loyola University’s

Baumhart Center, Booth School of Business, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the

Council on Foundations.

Shelley holds a master’s in urban planning from the University of Illinois and a

bachelor’s from Lawrence University. Her numerous recognitions include Crain's Who's

Who in Chicago Business (2023, 2024), Crain’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives

(2022), and University of Chicago’s Mentor of the Year (2019, 2023).Executive Biography

A proud South Sider, Shelley lives in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood with

her husband and two young adult children. She maintains balance through yoga, biking,

swimming, and traveling.