Investors’ Council

The Crime Lab and Education Lab Investors’ Council is a group of philanthropic, business and civic leaders who are committed to improving the public sector through innovative research and evidence-based strategies. They support our work by contributing their dollars, ideas, and time to ensure that the Crime Lab and Education Lab can generate cutting-edge evidence and have long-term impact at scale.

September 12, 2024: Education Lab Co-Director Jens Ludwig speaks at our Investors' Council reception.

Our Investors’ Council is an essential support system to the labs, offering strategic advice and critical insights into our organization’s strategy to advance our mission. Our longstanding partners provide valuable collaboration along with the operating support that enables us to consistently and swiftly respond to the needs of Chicago and communities nationwide.

Investors’ Council members receive exclusive insights and opportunities to preview research and developments that are shaping the future of public safety and education. Their involvement has enabled us to design, test, and scale programs around the country, significantly amplifying the impact of our research on communities nationwide.

If you’re interested in learning more about joining the Investors’ Council, contact Abbie Castiglione, Chief of Staff.

Investors’ Council Members

Anonymous Foundation

CME Group Foundation

Crown Family Philanthropies

John DeBlasio & DeBlasio Family Foundation

Caroline Delaney

Rich Feitler

Susan Gallagher

Katie Gledhill

Griffin Catalyst

Ray Iwanowski

McCormick Foundation

Andy McGuire

RJ Melman

Nancy Mills

Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation

Nancy and Michael Reinsdorf

Matt Simon

Michael Small

Leo Smith

Aaron Toppston

Vivo Foundation

Professional photo of Director Roseanna Ander from the waist up on grey background

Our Investors’ Council allows us the flexibility to take on moonshot projects and support our partners in a way that we couldn’t do otherwise. Their support is not just a financial contribution; it’s a critical pillar of our success, demonstrating the important relationship between investment and impact.

Roseanna Ander

Founding Executive Director, Crime Lab and Education Lab

Black and white headshot of Aaron Toppston

The Crime Lab and Education Lab are addressing the most pressing issues in Chicago through a nonpolitical, fact-based approach to improving educational outcomes and reducing gun violence. The organization is world-class in every regard. I work in the private sector and firmly believe civic engagement is of critical importance to being a well-rounded leader. The Crime Lab and Education Lab push all stakeholders – including the Investors’ Council – to be intellectually curious.

Aaron Toppston, Investors’ Council Member

Managing Partner, GS Futures

Investors’ Council Reception: September 12, 2024

Our Work in Action

Group photo at a Miami-Dade County school with students and district/Education Lab leaders
April 11, 2024: Miami-Dade County Public Schools leadership, staff, and students; Dr. Sadie Stockdale Jefferson of the Education Lab; and Julia Quinn of Griffin Catalyst at Riviera Middle School to celebrate the announcement of a $9M gift from Kenneth C. Griffin to expand high-dosage tutoring as part of the Education Lab's Personalized Learning Initiative.
3 woman (including Dr. Bhatt) sitting at a table in front of a screen with the logo "Chicago Tonight Black Voices" on it
July 15, 2023: Education Lab Senior Research Director Dr. Monica Bhatt (center) joins Chicago Tonight to discuss our evaluation of Youth Guidance's Working on Womanhood program.
Entire cohort photo in front of large windows with Chicago skyline in the background
May 24, 2024: Policing Leadership Academy graduates and staff at the graduation ceremony for its second cohort. Photo by Beking Media.
Cohort photo in the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris in the center at a podium
February 9, 2024: Vice President Kamala Harris stands with the inaugural cohort of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy at the graduation ceremony held at the White House. Official White House Photo.

Latest Updates

Jens Ludwig: Pandemic learning loss is Chicago’s next big crisis
Op-Ed
The Chicago Tribune
Feb 2024

Jens Ludwig: Pandemic learning loss is Chicago’s next big crisis

Education Lab faculty co-director Dr. Jens Ludwig provides commentary on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ learning and a known solution for accelerating learning for Chicago students.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, University of Chicago Education Lab, and Accelerate Announce $9M Gift from Kenneth C. Griffin to Expand High-Dosage Tutoring
Event
Apr 2024

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, University of Chicago Education Lab, and Accelerate Announce $9M Gift from Kenneth C. Griffin to Expand High-Dosage Tutoring

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), in partnership with Griffin Catalyst, Accelerate – The National Collaborative for Accelerated Learning, and the University of Chicago Education Lab, announced the launch of a high-dosage math tutoring intervention for Miami-Dade students recovering from the education crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Ripple of Learning Loss and its Impact on Chicago’s Future
Event
City Club of Chicago
Feb 2024

The Economic Ripple of Learning Loss and its Impact on Chicago’s Future

In this City Club of Chicago event, Education Lab Faculty Co-Director Jens Ludwig participated in a panel discussion on the importance of addressing the learning loss crisis to ensure Chicago’s students thrive.