Beth Swanson

Beth leads A Better Chicago’s work to change how Chicago fights poverty by investing in organizations and leaders that are creating opportunity for youth. Previously, Beth was vice president of strategy and programs at the Joyce Foundation guiding an annual portfolio of $50 million, providing strategic direction, and working on foundation-wide innovation initiatives. Beth served as deputy for education for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, working with education and community leaders to define the city’s education policy agenda from birth through college. Beth also worked closely with the business community to ensure that City Colleges of Chicago, a network of seven community colleges, helped students learn skills relevant to the local job market. Beth previously served as executive director of the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, and worked for Chicago Public Schools, serving as director of the Office of Extended Learning Opportunities and leading the Office of Management and Budget.