MYETIE HAMILTON, CEO OF LEADERSHIP GREATER CHICAGO
Myetie Hamilton is the CEO of Leadership Greater Chicago.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CS-EFFECT.
By Tia Carol Jones
Myetie Hamilton has been doing work in the non-profit sector for 10 years. Prior to that, she was working at Chicago Public Schools. All of it has been focused on public service. Since July 2023, Hamilton has been the CEO of Leadership Greater Chicago. She is the first Black woman to lead the organization.
Her desire and passion for public service was driven by her foundation and her upbringing. Her grandfather was an advocate for healthcare workers and her grandmother was a crossing guard.
“Serving in the nonprofit space for me means an opportunity to impact the lives of people in a way that brings about empowerment and contributes to making our city stronger and more equitable,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton believes that talent is ubiquitous, access is not. She said that equity is a driving force and she believes that everyone should have equal access to opportunities and the ability to live their dreams. In 2016, Hamilton participated in the Leadership Greater Chicago Signature Fellows Program.
Leadership Greater Chicago was established in 1983, with the goal to develop leaders. The Leadership Greater Chicago Signature Fellows Program was launched in 1985 as a way to educate civically engaged leaders on issues facing the community, with the goal to connect the leaders and encourage them to commit to civic engagement and effect positive change within the community. The Daniel Burnham Fellowship was launched in 2019, with the goal to introduce senior level executives who are new to Chicago to the Chicago business community.
Hamilton believes people can get involved in civic leadership by identifying something they care about, something that is an issue or concern and to get involved, get connected and collaborate with other people in the community. She said civic leadership and collaboration is very much needed in Chicago, especially now to make it better, stronger and more equitable.
As the first Black woman in the role, it has been amazing for Hamilton. She said Black women are often the “first” in many spaces. For her, she was the first in her family to finish a four-year degree. She said it changed the trajectory of her siblings and those who came after her.
“I see this as a badge of honor to stand alongside the leaders of this city and our community at LGC to continue to elevate this work,” Hamilton said, adding that Leadership Greater Chicago is the premier leadership development organization in the greater Chicago region.
Hamilton is a big believer in succession and creating succession opportunities. With the position she left at City Year Chicago, there is an African-American woman in that role now. Hamilton has done that across many of the roles she has held. With her role at Leadership Greater Chicago, she is lifting as she climbs, empowering and cultivating the next generation of civic leaders, which she said brings her the most joy.
Hamilton’s advice to Black women coming into the non-profit sector is to follow their passion, trust themselves and lean into discomfort. The depth of her passion is about serving. She loves the city of Chicago and cares deeply about the future of the city.
For more information about Leadership Greater Chicago, visit lgcchicago.org.
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