Executive Director

Who we are

Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, an innovative not-for-profit research and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a fair, accessible, and equitable court system in Illinois through collaborative, evidence-based solutions. Our focus areas are court transparency, decarceration and diversion, community autonomy, and economic accessibility. For nearly 30 years, we have fearlessly tackled systemic inequities in the courts—exposing flaws, fighting for transformative reform, and winning lasting changes that make the system work better for everyone.

Our impact speaks for itself:

• Co-led the successful campaign to end money bond in Illinois with the Pretrial Fairness Act.
• Pioneered court-watching programs and data-driven reports that have reshaped pretrial court practices and reduced incarceration.
• Secured landmark policy wins on compassionate release, court fines and fees, eviction, diversion, and more.
• Built powerful coalitions of community members, grassroots organizations, directly impacted people, and court stakeholders working to turn research into action.

Come help us deliver the next wave of court reform in Illinois!

You have a deep mission alignment with Chicago Appleseed’s vision for a fairer and more effective legal system and the ability to manage ongoing operations, build sustainability, and lead a team working to advance research-driven reform.

The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership of Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, including:

• Strategic & Operational Planning and Execution – Develops and continually updates strategic goals and priorities; translates strategy into an operating plan, allocating limited resources to the most important initiatives for maximal strategic impact.
• Fundraising & Development – Owns the development and execution of the annual fundraising strategy; acts as the main fundraiser, grant writer, and donor liaison for the organization; continually builds and activates a network of important donor and funder relationships.
• Staff Supervision & Organizational Oversight – Supervises staff and supports rotating interns/fellows; engages with volunteers to support execution of all initiatives and programs.
• Financial Management – Supervises Operations Coordinator in all tasks related to financial management and IRS compliance, including the CRM; ensures compliance with the organization’s status as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization; and works with accountants and auditors to complete audits and file all required forms.
• Program Management, Research & Advocacy – Supervises the Research Manager and other staff across all research initiatives and active programs; serves as lead advocate with legislators, stakeholders, coalition partners, and other decision-makers.
• Communications – Acts as the organization’s main spokesperson; supervises staff/consultants in all tasks related to internal/external communications (e.g., social media/website needs, public-facing content, public relations and media).
• Board Leadership, Development, and Administration – Plans and facilitates meetings of the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts Board of Directors and its committees; identifies and recruits new potential Board Members; engages with Board Members to align on program, research, financial, and other needs.