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.

Jens Ludwig speaking at a podium
September 12, 2024: Crime Lab 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

Raymond 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

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

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. The Crime Lab advances public safety research by (1) serving as a clearinghouse for data across criminal justice institutions and (2) pursuing non-political, research-driven recommendations that helps guide government and NGO resources to enable the best outcomes at scale.

Aaron Toppston, Investors’ Council Member

Managing Partner, GS Futures

John DeBlasio, Investor's Council Member

I was inspired to join the Investors Council and help build its capabilities because the Crime Lab has a great plan for scaling its work to develop more professional policing practices, which I believe will have a profound positive impact on communities.

The most valuable aspect of being a member of the Investors Council is working with the leadership team to make the Crime Lab’s big goals a reality. The Crime Lab combines the theoretical and practical to have an impact in communities across the country. Their unique approach toward applied research is showing results.

John DeBlasio

Investors’ Council Member Chairman DT Global, DT Institute, and Continuity Global Services

Investors’ Council Reception: September 12, 2024

Staff at the Investors' Council reception

Our Work In Action

May 24, 2024: Policing Leadership Academy graduates and staff at the graduation ceremony for its second cohort. Photo by Beking Media.
Vice President Kamala Harris takes a group photo with graduates of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy Graduation,
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.
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.
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.

Latest Updates

Shootings in Chicago are concentrated in the summer, yes. That’s only part of the story.
Media Mention
Crain's Chicago Business
May 2024

Shootings in Chicago are concentrated in the summer, yes. That’s only part of the story.

Crain’s Chicago Business covers the Crime Lab’s new analysis of summer crime trends in the City.

Vice President Kamala Harris Recognizes the CVILA at White House Ceremony
Event
White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Feb 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris Recognizes the CVILA at White House Ceremony

On February 9, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris recognized the work of the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) at an event that will acknowledged the accomplishments of its inaugural cohort at the White House.

Policing Leadership Academy Graduation of Second Cohort
Event
UChicago Crime Lab
May 2024

Policing Leadership Academy Graduation of Second Cohort

The Crime Lab hosted the graduation of the second cohort of the Policing Leadership Academy (PLA), the only police management and leadership training program in the country specifically designed to increase safety and fairness in America’s most violent neighborhoods.