CONFERENCE PANELS

Sharon Bush

President

Grand Victoria Foundation

Sharon Bush is the President of Grand Victoria Foundation, a $150 million grantmaking organization with annual giving of $10 million. She is only the second person to lead the Foundation in its 25-year history.

With over 20 years in the social sector, Sharon is well-recognized in the field. She is known for being an inspiring voice and passionate advocate for social and racial justice and has spearheaded transformations of organizations and initiatives that resulted in deeper impact. Sharon has been at the helm of cutting-edge work in philanthropy, including founding the Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative, the first state-wide, multi-issue advocacy organization focused on the needs of Illinois’ black communities. She also co-launched and led Abundance, a nationwide initiative rooted in Black joy with a mission to increase funding to Black-led and Black-centered organizations, and organize the philanthropy sector to transform its policies, practices, and mindsets to better support Black communities.

In 2021, Sharon joined the Board of Trustees of Roosevelt University, a community of educators, scholars, and learners committed to academic, creative, and service excellence. She was appointed to the Chicago Fed Advisory Council on Small Business, Community and Economic Development, Agriculture and Labor, comprised of diverse leaders who advise the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago leadership about issues impacting their industries and communities. Sharon is Chair of the Board of Directors of ABFE, a national philanthropic organization that advocates for responsive and transformative investments in Black communities.

Sharon was born and raised in Chicago. She has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University.

Grand Victoria Website:  https://grandvictoriafdn.org/

Sharon Bush's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-bush-a086b19/

Adela Carlin

Senior Director of Training and Community Partnerships

Illinois Partners for Human Service 

Adela Carlin has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals, families and community groups in the Chicago area. She enjoys working collaboratively to build and sustain partnerships that meet the needs of people impacted by poverty.  Adela is a community lawyer with a passion for and a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and racial justice. Prior to joining Illinois Partners for Human Service, Adela served as the Director of Community Engagement at the Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF) and as the Director of the Legal Services Program at Catholic Charities Legal Assistance.  Adela grew up in Little Village, a neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She  obtained her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law at Urbana Champaign.

As the Senior Director of Training and Community Partnerships, Adela focuses on building strategic, dynamic and strong relationships with community based organizations and grassroots groups serving communities with a history of disinvestment.  In addition, she leads the development of reframing and other equity focused trainings to support our coalition partners across the state. Adela is a member of the Illinois Partners Executive team. She serves on the Healthy Illinois steering committee and represents Illinois Partners on the Illinois Skills for Good Jobs Agenda, the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition and more.  Adela is a 2022 Racial Justice Institute fellow and was recently selected as a national facilitator for Reframing Aging. In addition to her role at Illinois Partners, Adela serves on the board of directors for Chicago United for Equity and Solutions for Care.

Illinois Partners for Human Service Website:  https://illinoispartners.org/

Adela Carlin's LInkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adela-carlin/

Norman E. Clark

Executive Director

Chicago African American in Philanthropy (CAAIP) 

Founder, 3EEEs Consulting Strategies

Norman E. Clark is Executive Director of the Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP) and founder of 3CEEEs Consulting Strategies.  As a dedicated leader in philanthropy, committed to advancing equity and strengthening nonprofit organizations that serve Black communities in Chicago, Norman works at the intersection of philanthropy, nonprofit capacity-building, and workforce development. 

With a background in personnel management, team development, and multi-million-dollar budget oversight, Norman transitioned from a successful career in luxury retail to focus on addressing systemic barriers to opportunity. In 2019, he founded 3CEEEs Consulting Strategies, a boutique firm specializing in employment strategies and job development for under-resourced youth. Through this work, he has helped bridge the gap between philanthropy and grassroots organizations, fostering collaboration for lasting impact. 

Norman’s expertise lies in guiding foundations and nonprofit leaders to develop sustainable strategies, ensuring that funding reaches those who need it most.

Splitting his time between Chicago and Washington, D.C., he partners with philanthropic organizations to drive equitable investments in Black and Brown communities, working to create lasting change through strategic philanthropy and community engagement.

Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy Website:  https://caaip.org/

Norman Clark's LInkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norman-clark-09983b58/

Yusef Garcia

Founder and Principal

Monarq Advisors

Yusef Garcia is Founder and Principal of Monarq Advisors, a Latiné-and LGBTQ-owned advisory firm helping build and transfer power one relationship at a time. Monarq Advisors focuses on helping leaders refortify their revenue generation, governance, and leadership strategies; Yusef’s firm also reflects his 20+ year career and commitment to helping individuals and organizations harness their unique lived experiences, acumen, and power to affect change. 

Yusef Garcia, a homeboy of Chicago – grew up in the vibrant communities of Back of the Yards and South Shore, went to college in Upstate NY, and began adulthood in San Francisco, CA. Raised in a blended family, his upbringing shaped a deep commitment to curiosity, honesty, and empathy. These values have guided Yusef’s path, career, and personal mission: to help individuals to make intentional, subtle changes that lead to transformative outcomes—the “butterfly effect.”

With nearly 20 years in Chicago’s social impact sector, Yusef has navigated diverse roles in philanthropy, nonprofit fundraising, executive leadership, and strategy development. His career began at WTTW | WFMT, where he honed his skills in on-air fundraising, followed by strategic leadership roles at United Way of Metro Chicago, where he led teams, built stronger corporate partnerships, and drove innovative revenue strategies. At Forefront, he reenvisioned the external affairs function by redefining stakeholder engagement and advancing fundraising approaches. These experiences laid the foundation for his current work as the Founder and Principal of Monarq Advisors.

Since 2019, Yusef has also served on the Board of Directors of the AIDS Foundation Chicago and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board plus Chair of its Governance Committee.

Monarq Advisors Website: MonarqAdvisors.com 

Yusef Garcia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusefgarcia/ 

Alberto Morales

Founder

Morales Consulting

Alberto Morales’ experiences as an LGBT, first-generation college graduate and son of Mexican immigrants are the reason his north star points toward equity. Alberto brings a proven track record with racial equity facilitation, strategic planning, grantmaking, capacity-building, program evaluation and project management. 

Most recently, Alberto worked for the Cristo Rey Network’s School Growth office launching new schools across the country. Previously, Alberto worked for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation where he supported the stewardship of multimillion dollar grants across the early childhood, middle school, high school, and post-secondary public education sectors. He created a racial equity disparities report that led to a prioritized focus on the South Side of Chicago for the foundation’s $40M+ annual portfolio. He also managed relationships with the sports partners, Chicago Bulls, White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Blackhawks, and assisted them in developing, implementing, and evaluating over $2.5M grant strategies. Alberto also co-developed the Heartland Alliance Chicago Community Data Portal, a free online dashboard that curates data sets from leading sources in one portal, offering neighborhood snapshots of economic opportunity, education, and health and wellness. 

Alberto began his career in higher education as Assistant Director of the Georgetown Scholars Program, a nationally recognized model, empowering over 600 first-generation students. 

Alberto holds a B.Sc. in Health Care Management and Policy from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University, where he was selected as commencement speaker. He is on the Auxiliary Board for the National Museum of Mexican Art. He is a previous fellow with the Surge Institute, World Economic Forum, New Leaders Council, Hispanics in Philanthropy, and Aspen Institute. He is also a 2020 recipient of Chicago Scholars "35 under 35" award that recognizes "a group of talented young professionals making an impact in Chicago." Alberto is also the Co-chair of Nuestro Futuro, an initiative of the Chicago Community Trust that awards grants to nonprofits serving the Latinx community. Alberto also sits on the Executive Board of the Albert Pick Jr. Fund. 

Morales Consulting Website: https://moralesconsultingllc.com/about

Alberto Morales's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-morales-mpa-23591325/

David Shapiro

Executive Director

MacArthur Justice Center

David Michael Shapiro returned to MJC as Executive Director in 2025, having previously worked at the organization for over a decade. A respected advocate, scholar, and thought leader, David brings nearly 20 years of civil rights experience to MJC.

David has argued civil rights cases in courts across the nation, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit, and many other appeals courts sitting both as panels and en banc. He has won major victories on such issues as police brutality, deaths in custody, wrongful convictions, malicious prosecution, prisoners’ religious exercise, criminal sentencing, prison and jail conditions, and freedom of speech. In 2024, David received the Abner Mikva Award from the American Constitution Society Chicago Lawyer Chapter for “extraordinary contributions to progressive legal causes.”

From 2023 to 2025, David served as Executive Director of Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, where he led a team committed to racial justice and economic opportunity. Shapiro dramatically expanded fundraising, boosted the Committee’s public profile, steered the organization through federal government attacks, increased financial resilience, and worked to end long-term solitary confinement in Illinois. 

Read more

MacArthur Justice Center Website: https://www.macarthurjustice.org/

David Shapiro's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shapiro-a48223112/

Rupal Soni, AM

Lead Consultant for Philanthropy for Asian American Action Chicago and Asian Americans Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy- Chicago

Board of Directors of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

Rupal Soni is a consultant, writer, and artist committed to resourcing and empowering strategically marginalized communities. Her work in philanthropy spans two decades and includes the Field Foundation of Illinois; Fire This Time Fund; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Illinois Arts Council; and the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. Her experiences span the sunset of a peer-led activist giving circle to building a small, start-up, checkbook foundation into one of the largest family foundations in the nation. Rupal’s consulting includes organizing funders in the Midwest with the Neighborhood Funders Group, designing programs for Philanthropy for Asian American Action Chicago in close partnership with Chicago Latines in Philanthropy, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, and Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. She also serves on the national Board of Directors for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy.

Prior to philanthropy, Rupal’s work was rooted in community arts and civic engagement, most notably as co-founder of a Rural Design School and a community center on the India-Pakistan border, and as Program Director of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance and Associate Editor of the Journal of Ordinary Thought. Rupal received the Emerging Arts Leader of Color award from the Americans for the Arts and the Joyce Foundation, and holds degrees from the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago.

Rupal Soni's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupalsoni/

Mary Smith

CEO and Chair, Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation

President, Task Force for American Democracy

Mary Smith has spent her career trying to improve the lives of those in her community and her country.  She founded and serves as President and Chair of a foundation named after her mother and grandmother, respectively, the Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation, to train Native American girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (www.carolineorasmithfoundation.org).    

Mary also serves as President of the Task Force for American Democracy that is dedicated to mobilizing the Nation’s 1.3 million lawyers and the public to uphold the rule of law, champion democracy, and advocate for free speech. (www.democracy-taskforce.org).     

Mary Smith served as President of the American Bar Association (ABA) from 2023-2024 and was the first Native American woman in this role.  

Mary currently is an independent board member and previously served as CEO of a $6 billion national healthcare organization, the Indian Health Service. Mary currently serves on the board of PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a global biopharmaceutical company and on the board of HAI Group, a leading member-owned insurance company for the affordable housing industry. Mary is also Vice Chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm.   

She has served at the highest levels of government, both at the federal and state level. Mary served on the senior team of the Civil Division at the United States Department of Justice and was General Counsel at the Illinois Department of Insurance.   Earlier in her career, Mary served in the White House as Associate Counsel to the President and Associate Director of Policy Planning. 

In her private sector experience, she served in a senior role at Tyco International (US) Inc., a $40 billion public company, where she managed a $60 million budget. Mary also served as Special Counsel & Estate Trust Officer at the Office of Special Deputy Receiver; a Partner in the Chicago office of Schoeman, Updike & Kaufman, a women-owned firm; and an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Washington, D.C.  where she specialized in governmental investigations and securities class actions.  

In her civic activities, she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of Chicago, C200, The Chicago Network, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the International Women’s Forum, and the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Mary is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. In 2025, she was selected to Worth’s Groundbreaking Women. In 2024, Mary was selected to Forbes 50 over 50. She was the recipient of the 2024 University of Chicago Diversity Leadership Alumni Award, and the Diversity Scholarship Foundation 2024 Advocate for Diversity Award. In 2023, Chicago United selected her as a Business Leader of Color. She was also the recipient of the Justice John Paul Stevens award from the Chicago Bar Association. Law Bulletin Media included her as one of the honorees during the Fourth Annual Top Women in the Law Awards in November 2023.

Mary graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law, cum laude and received a B.S. in mathematics and computer science, magna cum laude, from Loyola University of Chicago.  Mary served on the Law Review and clerked for the Hon. R. Lanier Anderson III in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  

Mary Smith's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysmith828/

Unmi Song

President

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Unmi Song is President of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, a private foundation that supports nonprofits serving low-income communities in Chicago in the areas of Arts Learning, Education, and Employment. 

Across all of its funding areas, the foundation’s focus is on helping organizations: Build capacity; Develop successful program innovations; and Share knowledge. It is especially interested in efforts to test models or develop knowledge that can contribute to advancements in the field. 

Ms. Song holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago. Ms. Song was a vice president at Bankers Trust Company and held positions at Citicorp Investment Bank in New York City, at the First National Bank of Chicago, and at Gold Star Tele-Electric Company, in Seoul, Korea. Prior to joining the Fry Foundation, she directed grantmaking focused on job training and welfare policy issues at the Joyce Foundation.

She currently serves on the board of the Metropolitan Planning Council. She was appointed by President Obama to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has served on the boards of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Forefront (Donors Forum of Illinois) and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, and she has served as board chair for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a national civil rights organization.

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Website:  https://www.fryfoundation.org/

Unmi Song's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/unmi-song-838765b/