Dawn Frances Reese

Director of Strategy

Dawn Frances advances the mission of the Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education to support and mentor underserved Chicago students & professionals by investing in organizations focused on college access and career success. Dawn Frances brings vast career experience spanning start-ups in advocacy, venture capital, and higher education focused on organizational advancement and strategic investments.

She is a dynamic, civic-minded business professional with a track record of managing complex projects and working with cross- functional teams. She is a creative thought leader experienced in moving ideas from concept to actualization. 

Dawn Frances sits on the board of City Year Chicago, Urban Initiatives and The Congo Square Theatre. She is a 2019 Chicago Urban League IMPACT fellow and a 2016 Development Leadership Consortium fellow and has lived and volunteered in Cape Town, SA. Dawn also received Chicago Crain’s prestigious 40 under 40 honor in 2018.