In its eighth year, the Leaders for a New Chicago Award recognizes eight community-based leaders who are redefining civic leadership and reimagining Chicago’s future. The initiative, a collaboration between the Field and MacArthur Foundations, provides $50,000 in unrestricted funding to each leader, as well as $25,000 general operating grants to the leaders' affiliated nonprofits. A participatory grantmaking committee comprised of community leaders oversaw a rigorous process of reviewing more than 150 nominations and recommended the 2026 recipients.
2026 Leaders for a New Chicago
- Candace Coleman, Community Strategy Specialist, Access Living
- Infiniti Gant, Organizing Director, Southside Together
- Danae Kovac, Executive Director, HANA Center
- Cheryl Mainor Norman, Founder, President & Publisher of Chicago News Weekly and CNW Media
- Janell Nelson, Creative Strategist & Director, Englewood Arts Collective
- Xanat Sobrevilla, Co-Founder & Strategic Programs Coordinator, Organized Communities Against Deportations
- Ivan Vega, Co-Founder & Executive Director, UrbanTheater Company
- Adriana Velazquez, Co-Director, Parent Engagement Institute, Southwest Organizing Project
