Andrea Saenz
President and CEO
The Chicago Community Trust

As president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s largest and oldest community foundations, Andrea Sáenz (pronounced ahn-dray-a sigh-enz) works to bring to life a vision to realize a stronger and more prosperous Chicago region where access to opportunities transcends race, ethnicity, or zip code. The Trust’s work is both professionally fulfilling and deeply personal for Sáenz. As an immigrant from Ecuador who grew up in Los Angeles and came to Chicago as an adult, she is energized by the region’s strength, creativity, connection, and cultural vibrancy. However, she has also experienced the obstacles many Chicagoans face as they strive to build financial stability and prosperity. She has dedicated her career to reimagining civic institutions to engage and serve people impacted by inequitable access to opportunities, aligning with the Trust’s legacy of addressing the Chicago region’s greatest and most critical needs. 

Considered one of Chicago’s leaders making a difference, Crain’s Chicago Business recently included Sáenz on its “Who’s Who in Chicago” list and its inaugural “Women of Note” list in 2023. Her extensive board service includes the Economic Club of Chicago, National Louis University, Chicago Public Education Fund, Chicago Public Library Foundation, and College Unbound. She is a member of Leadership Greater Chicago and received an honorary doctorate from Dominican University. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Scripps College.