Elizabeth García serves as Co-Managing Director – North Chicago at the Steans Family Foundation. In this capacity, she co-leads the Foundation’s place-based investments in North Chicago, including initiatives focused on early childhood, K–12 education, postsecondary pathways, and out-of-school time. Working in close partnership with her co-managing director, Elizabeth helps set strategic direction, oversee portfolio implementation, and ensure alignment across partners, schools, and community stakeholders to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families.
Elizabeth brings a community-centered and collaborative approach to her leadership, grounded in partnership, shared accountability, and respect for local expertise. She is committed to advancing equity through inclusive decision-making, aligning systems around community priorities, and supporting partners in translating data and lived experience into action. Her work emphasizes trust-building, continuous learning, and long-term sustainability across initiatives.
Prior to joining the Steans Family Foundation, Elizabeth held leadership and analytical roles across K–12 and higher education settings, including serving as Director of Data Strategy and Analytics at North Lawndale College Prep High School. Her earlier experience includes positions at Youth Connection Charter School, the University of Illinois Office of Minority Student Affairs, and Latino Youth High School.
Elizabeth earned a B.S. in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.