In this course, teams of 3-5 students will get an experiential learning opportunity, working on projects with local social sector organizations that needs help making a...
Grisel Maldonado is a social impact strategist and educator committed to advancing equitable systems and empowering organizations to achieve transformative change. As the Founder and CEO of Avanza Strategies, she specializes in designing mission-aligned strategic pathways, enhancing executive team effectiveness, and building the resilience and capacity of social impact organizations. Grisel’s work extends to her role as a coach for The Bridgespan Group’s Leading for Impact (LFI) and Creating an Adaptive Plan (CAP) programs.
With a career rooted in addressing systemic inequities, Grisel has established multiple postsecondary success initiatives that equip youth of color with the tools to achieve their highest aspirations. Her extensive experience includes serving as an admissions officer at Brown University and founding research-driven initiatives at the Noble Network of Charter Schools, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute, and Chicago Public Schools.
A proud Chicago native, Grisel is deeply committed to unlocking the potential of social impact organizations serving low-income, Black, and Latinx communities historically marginalized by structural inequities. She holds a B.A. in History and Hispanic Studies from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Grisel is an alumna of the Surge Institute Fellowship, a member of Education Leaders of Color and Señoritas Latinas Unidas, and Co-President of the Brown University Club of Chicago. She was named to the 2019 Negocios Now "Latinos 40 Under 40" list for her leadership in the Chicago area. As a member of the CatalystEd Postsecondary Expert Network with the Gates Foundation, Grisel continues to advocate for innovation and equity in education and organizational strategy.