Illuminating Excellence

Diahann Sinclair is Chief Hospital Support & Community Engagement Officer at St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago.  A passionate healthcare executive, Diahann has extensive experience advancing health equity through community development initiatives. She was recognized by Crain's Chicago Business in 2022 as a notable executive for her good works, including mentoring younger professionals and serving on

Victoria "Vickie" O. Lakes-Battle is executive director of the Chicago region for IFF, a nonprofit CDFI. With 30+ years of banking, community development and finance experience, Vickie connects people to each other and to resources that help nonprofit leaders accelerate their organizations and facilities goals with smart finance strategies. In 2023, she helped IFF invest more than $100 million in 

Lesle' Honore' is the CEO of Urban Gateways, a youth-serving, citywide arts organization, and co-chair of the steering committee of Elevated Chicago, an equity collaborative. She also is an accomplished author, poet and public speaker whose viral artist works have garnered local and national media attention, from the Chicago Tribune to ABC's "Good Morning America." Her first book, "Fist & Fury" is

Nakisha Hobbs is an educator, policy maker and entrepreneur. She helped found It Takes A Village Family of Schools and Village Leadership Academy, an independent elementary school that guides Black children to become global leaders. A 4th-generation educator, she formerly led the Office of Early Childhood for the Illinois Department of Human Services.  Later this year, Nakisha and her team will op

Caronina Grimble is an accomplished philanthropic professional with experience in the private and public sectors. A leader in Gov. JB Pritzker's administration, she is director of the Office of Strategy, Equity and Transformation for the Illinois Department of Human Services. Her work has directly contributed to nearly $10 million in funding for racial equity and antiracist programs by nonprofits 

Nakea West is an extraordinary development and partnerships professional, talented at fund development and adept at forward-thinking strategies for nonprofit organizations. She is the first Chief Equity Officer for IFF, a Chicago-based community development financial institution (CDFI) that works across Illinois and six other midwestern states. Learn more at IFF.org.