Monica Wilczak joined the CAC as the Chief Advancement Officer on May 17th. In this newly created position, she will focus on development, docents and volunteers, and the Board of Trustees. Monica brings 25 years of experience in fundraising and volunteer management to the CAC and is excited to work with staff, docents and volunteers, and donors to support the mission and vision of the organization.
She previously worked in development roles at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and the University of Chicago. Most recently, she served as the Director of Development for the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, where she was the fundraising lead for the $15 million historic restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Rotunda and Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center. The inspiration for this award-winning restoration was sparked in 2018 during a Historic Treasures Tour led by Barbara Weiner, Class of 2011, and recipient of the 2022 Shining Star Award.
Monica is a co-founder and active board member of the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, which coordinates art-focused events and projects fostering collaboration between artists and the Beverly/Morgan Park community and serves as the board president of the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) non-profit. She has a Master of Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Monica moved to Chicago in 1991 and has lived in Beverly with her family, including Ava, her 17-year-old daughter, and Miles, her 15-year-old son, for 18 years—first in a Chicago bungalow that she and her husband restored, and now in a historic home built by the architects John T. and Murray D. Hetherington.