Sujata K

K Sujata is a seasoned leader with over twenty years of nonprofit experience, dedicated to enhancing the impact of philanthropy for foundations and social change organizations. Her career is marked by a commitment to addressing economic security for low-income working women and revitalizing neglected communities.

Career Highlights: K Sujata brings ‘on the ground’ experience working in neighborhoods that have long been neglected and disinvested. Her work on issues of economic security for low-income working women led to increased household incomes and savings. As Interim Executive Director, she successfully transitioned organizations from volunteer-led to professional executive leadership. She introduced comprehensive organizational policies, improved financial management, and boosted staff morale.

During her tenure as President and CEO of the Chicago Foundation for Women, Sujata led the organization through double-digit growth. She significantly improved employee retention and fostered a diverse and inclusive workforce. She also managed the merger between the Eleanor Foundation and Chicago Foundation for Women, doubling grantmaking efforts, increasing invested assets, and boosting fundraising.

Her leadership turned around nonprofits like Apna Ghar and Chicago Foundation for Women, transitioning from deficits to building reserves.

Expertise: Sujata’s expertise spans organizational development, fundraising, team building, and strategic planning. She is known for her methodical, purposeful, and strategic approach to leadership, swiftly assessing organizational needs, building trusting relationships, and implementing strategies to achieve mission-driven success. She has extensive experience turning around organizations with deficits to building reserves, improving employee retention, and establishing organizations as thought leaders in their fields.

Educational Background: Sujata holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She studied engineering in her native India.

Board Service: She currently serves on the Board of the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence. She has previously chaired the Women’s Funding Network and the Asset Funders Network and has been a board member of several notable nonprofits.

You can find details of her experience at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksujata/

or www.ksujata.org