The Chicago Public Education Fund Appoints Dr. Julie Morita to Board of Directors

Jan 22, 2026

The Joyce Foundation president and former Chicago public health commissioner brings decades of equity-focused leadership to the education nonprofit.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) recently announced the appointment of Dr. Julie Morita, president and CEO of the Joyce Foundation, to its Board of Directors. A nationally recognized leader in public health and philanthropy, Dr. Morita brings deep expertise in policy reform, racial equity, and cross-sector collaboration to The Fund’s mission of ensuring every Chicago public school has a high-quality principal.

“Julie Morita is one of Chicago’s most effective and compassionate civic leaders, and we are incredibly proud to welcome her to the Board,” said Heather Anichini, President and CEO of The Fund. “Her career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of equity — whether through health care or philanthropy. Julie understands that student success relies on strong systems and strong leaders. Her experience managing complex policy issues and large-scale investments will be invaluable as we work to support the educators leading our city’s schools.”

At the Joyce Foundation, Dr. Morita oversees the annual charitable distribution of $65 million, aimed at advancing racial equity and economic mobility in the Great Lakes region. Previously, she served as executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she led programming that addressed systemic barriers to health.

A woman in a royal blue blouse smiles for the camera. She has graying, shoulder-length, black hair. She is wearing small golden circular earrings and a simple golden necklace. She is in front of bookshelves.

Julie Morita, CEO of the Joyce Foundation

In her nearly two decades of service with the Chicago Department of Public Health, including serving as commissioner from 2015 to 2019, she led the implementation of Healthy Chicago 2.0, a four-year plan focused on achieving health equity by addressing the conditions in which people live, learn, and work.

Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Morita is a lifelong advocate for justice, deeply influenced by the experience of her parents, who were detained in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. She has served as an advisor to the White House, the CDC, and the National Academy of Medicine, and earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Medicine.

“I have spent my career working to dismantle systemic barriers so that families and communities can thrive, and education is a fundamental pillar of that work,” said Dr. Morita. “I have long admired The Chicago Public Education Fund’s data-driven approach and its unwavering belief in the power of school leadership. As a Chicago native, I look forward to working with the Board to ensure that our principals have the resources and support they need to help every student reach their full potential.”

About The Chicago Public Education Fund

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) is a nonprofit organization that improves Chicago’s public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. The Fund is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, underscoring its enduring commitment to collaborating with partners across Chicago’s education sector to redefine school leadership in the city.