Meaghan Jennings

Chief Development Officer

 As Chief Development Officer, Meaghan is responsible for establishing a culture of philanthropy at CICS, and implementing a comprehensive development and communications program in order to advance the network's vision, and deliver on our commitments to students, staff, and families. 

Meaghan has spent more than a decade fundraising in Chicago, most recently serving as Director of Development for the UIC School of Public Health, where she was responsible for securing major and planned gifts for the institution. Prior to UIC, Meaghan served as Director of External Affairs for Christopher House, where she led all fundraising and communications efforts for the agency, which operates a family of schools across Chicago, including one K-8 public charter school in Belmont Cragin. Meaghan began her career at The Posse Foundation, a national college access and leadership development organization, serving as the Senior Development Officer for its Chicago chapter. 

Meaghan received her B.A. in Psychology and Gender Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and she was also selected for and completed the Development Leadership Consortium's Annual Fellows and Management Fellows programs. Meaghan lives in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago with her husband and young daughter. 

Why do you work at CICS?: Having spent her career fundraising for education-based nonprofits, Meaghan believes deeply in the power of high-quality education and its ability to close the opportunity gap. While there are enormous inequities that exist within our traditional educational system, Meaghan believes that CICS is a part of the solution, ensuring that all children, regardless of their income, zip code, or family background, have access to a high-quality, public education that prepares them to lead happy and healthy lives.