Dr. Cecilia Conrad
Chief Executive Officer, Lever for Change
Cecilia Conrad, Ph.D., is a visionary dedicated to securing innovative funding for impactful ideas that can solve the world's most significant challenges. She serves as the CEO of Lever for Change, a non-profit organization based in Chicago that links donors and innovative minds with daring ideas. She aims to broaden philanthropy's scope by channeling significant financial support to underrepresented and diverse ideas.
Dr. Conrad spearheaded the creation of LFC and its mission. During her tenure, LFC has successfully raised $1.5 billion in philanthropic funds from notable donors like MacKenzie Scott, the LEGO Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, and Pivotal Ventures. Additionally, Dr. Conrad holds the position of Senior Advisor for the MacArthur Fellows and 100&Change programs at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Dr. Conrad joined the MacArthur Foundation in 2013 after holding positions at Pomona College, Barnard College, and Duke University. She has also worked as an economist at the Federal Trade Commission and a visiting scholar at The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Dr. Conrad is a TIAA Board of Governors member, Bryn Mawr College, and The Poetry Foundation trustee. She holds a B.A. from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University.
