A new Board Member is joining the team at Skokie Community Foundation!
Ella Whitehead is a higher education professional with more than a decade of experience in college access, student success, and community engagement. For the past 11 years, she has served in various leadership roles at Oakton College and now leads as the Director of Admission and Equity Outreach. In this role, she oversees Admissions, Outreach, International Student Services, and the Emory Williams Academy—guiding initiatives that expand access, remove barriers, and help students thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
Beyond Oakton, Ella’s influence extends deeply into civic life. She is the Chartering President of the North Shore Section of the National Council of Negro Women, a Trustee of the Skokie Public Library , and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch, and the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley. Her volunteerism with the Youth Job Center and her ongoing doctoral research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reflect her belief that true leadership is rooted in service, lifelong learning, and the collective pursuit of opportunity for all.
We are honored to welcome Ella to the Board and look forward to working with her to make Skokie a better place to live, work, and play.
