Nonprofit Leader Geoffrey Nagle Brings Extensive Experience to Strong, Mission-Driven Education Organization
January 8, 2025
CHICAGO — The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) today announced that longtime nonprofit leader Geoffrey Nagle started as the organization’s new chief operating officer on January 1, 2025. He will advance The Fund’s organizational priorities, including fundraising and culture goals.
“I am incredibly excited to join an organization that has been devoted to improving public education in Chicago for 25 years,” Dr. Nagle said. “I look forward to working with The Fund’s passionate and innovative team as we support principals across the city.”
Dr. Nagle’s previous experience as the CEO of the Erikson Institute makes him uniquely qualified to work with the organization and its partners. Erikson is a nationally respected leader in early childhood development and education, focused on preparing professionals and conducting research to improve outcomes for young children and their families. Under Dr. Nagle’s leadership, Erikson bridged gaps in early childhood development by uniting data, policy, and practice, similar to The Fund’s approach to PreK-12 public education in Chicago.
Many leaders in the education sector know and trust Dr. Nagle as a senior executive and policy expert. He also brings experience that will strengthen and unify The Fund’s human resources, operations, fundraising, and finance work, building on the robust operational backbone that has supported the organization’s mission-driven work over the past several years.
“We are delighted to welcome Geoff and value the strengths he will bring to The Fund’s team,” CEO Dr. Heather Anichini said. “His experience in nonprofit leadership will support the organization as we pursue our ambitious goals to support Chicago’s school leaders in our 25th year.”
Dr. Nagle joins a robust senior leadership team, including Chief Public Affairs Officer Nelson Gerew, who has supported the organization’s mission throughout his 15-year career at The Fund; Director of Partnership and Innovation Julie Burnett, a former senior director of education policy in the Chicago Mayor’s Office; and Director of Educator Supports Mariel Laureano, a former CPS principal and a chief education officer in the charter school sector.
Before leading the Erikson Institute, Dr. Nagle was an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Tulane University. He received his bachelor’s in political science from Duke University, his master’s in public health and social work, and a doctorate in mental health policy research from Tulane University.
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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.
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