Iona Calhoun-Battiste is the senior director of community impact for the Trust’s Building Collective Power strategy.
Admired for her ability to cast vision, strategically plan, develop cross-functional teams, and fund innovative social impact solutions, Iona is a trusted leader with more than 21 years of nonprofit experience. Most recently, she served as senior director of programs for Thrive Chicago managing Chicagoland Opportunity youth and the Obama Foundation, MBK strategies. Before that, she served as a community engagement manager for United Way Metro Chicago directing community investments and developing collaborations through collective impact initiatives.
Iona has a master’s degree in developmental psychopathology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, human development from Howard University.
Iona is a proud Chicagoan and lives in the Chatham neighborhood with her daughter. Iona is also a professionally trained ballet dancer and instructor for over 35 years.
