Chief Executive Officer

Whitney Smith

Whitney Smith began as CEO of Schreiber Philanthropy in July 2023. Working with John and Kathy Schreiber and the Board of Directors, Whitney leads the effort to scale impact as their giving grows. In 2024, the Schreiber Philanthropy Board approved a mission focused on supporting economic mobility and well-being in the Chicagoland Region with five strategic priorities: improving access and success in education; advancing opportunities for immigrants and refugees; responding to community and behavioral health demands; improving services for homeless individuals and families while also addressing the need for more quality, affordable housing options; and expanding a place-based effort in Lake County, IL to address social and economic equity gaps. 

Whitney most recently served as Executive Vice President of Programs and Chief Strategy Officer at The Joyce Foundation where she oversaw efforts to advance racial equity and economic mobility in the Great Lakes region through support for evidence-based policy change. Prior to Joyce, Whitney served as JPMorgan Chase’s Head of Regional Philanthropy for North America for nearly seven years, which included more than $100M in grantmaking annually with a focus on workforce readiness, small business development, neighborhood development, and consumer financial health policy and practice.

In her volunteer capacity, Whitney serves on the Board of Directors for the National Fund for Workforce Solutions; as a Council Member of the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice; and Member for the One Million Degrees City Colleges of Chicago Advisory Council. She also serves on a variety of other advisory groups, all with a focus on expanding opportunities for people in Chicago to live fulfilling lives. Whitney was a LGC Burnham Fellow in 2023 and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. She holds a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and a master's degree from the Crown School at the University of Chicago.

Whitney lives in Oak Park with her husband, high school age twins, and a menagerie of pets.