Leadership Transition at Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Friends of Pritzker Traubert Foundation-

We are writing to share important news about the Foundation’s leadership.

After more than 15 years as the President of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation (PTF), Cindy Moelis will be stepping down this summer to join us as a new Director on PTF’s Board. We are pleased to announce that Andy Beideman, our current Chief Strategy Officer, will become President of the Foundation on July 1, 2026.

 

We are deeply grateful to Cindy for her leadership, partnership, and friendship. Cindy has guided PTF through a significant evolution, expanding our original mission from a focus on youth opportunity to our broader strategy to increase economic mobility and opportunity in Chicago. Over the last decade, she led PTF to deepen our investments in community and people through our flagship initiatives Chicago Prize, Chicago Talent Challenge, and our partnership with Bridgespan’s Lead for Impact, alongside expanded national and local efforts to strengthen our democracy.

Cindy has been an innovative and trusted partner to our Board and the organizations we serve, stewarding more than $220 million in grants during her tenure. Through this work, PTF has supported more than twenty communities and invested over $75 million to advance transformative capital projects across the city. We have supported over 300,000 residents through full college scholarships, new employment opportunities and access to health care and other critical needs. We are immensely proud of what Cindy helped us build and grateful for the ways she has and will continue to invest in Chicago.

We are also proud that Andy Beideman will be the Foundation’s next President. Andy has been a central and vital part of the Foundation's work since joining in 2018, first as Senior Program Officer and then as our Chief Strategy Officer starting in 2022. He has led the Foundation’s workforce development portfolio, launched the Chicago Talent Challenge, stewarded seven-figure commitments to transformative talent strategies, and played a critical role in the design and execution of the first Chicago Prize. Prior to joining PTF, Andy led inclusive economic development initiatives at RW Ventures and began his career in science policy at Booz Allen Hamilton and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He is a rigorous, collaborative, and active leader, serving on not-for-profit advisory boards including as the co-Chair for One Million Degrees during a period of rapid expansion. We are confident that his leadership will both support our current investments and propel PTF's reach even further.

PTF is deeply committed to our grantees and the future success of Chicago. We thank our partners, donors, and friends for the trust you place in this Foundation. Thank you, Cindy, for encouraging us to take bold risks that deepened our impact in Chicago.

Please see below for a message from Cindy.

A note of gratitude from Cindy

It is with mixed emotions that I step away from leading PTF. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and for incredible leaders on important projects that have made Chicago and this country stronger. I want to thank Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker for the opportunity to work together for the last two decades. Their civic commitment shaped my understanding of what is possible and what it means to lead with purpose. During my career, I have also had the privilege of working for other amazing leaders including Mayor Daley, Michelle and Barack Obama, Adele Simmons, and Harrison Steans just to name a few. With these opportunities, I believe that I was able to contribute to a stronger Chicago.

With our commitment at PTF to invest in Chicago’s future, I am proud that we built a strategy grounded in the belief that community and civic leaders are key to driving transformative change. During my tenure, we designed and launched open competitions that made big bets on visionary plans through the Chicago Prize and the Chicago Talent Challenge. Investing in these efforts deepened my appreciation for the perseverance of Chicago leaders and the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and reinforced my belief in the importance of supporting bold, community‑driven solutions.  Each time I visit Auburn Gresham’s Healthy Hub, the West Garfield Sankofa Wellness Center, Xchange in Greater Grand Crossing and so many other community beacons that we helped support, I am filled with pride that I am part of their story.

I am pleased that Andy Beideman will be the next President. I am so grateful to Andy, who has been an incredible partner. I have no doubt that he will continue to build and expand on our past success. He embodies Chicago’s next generation of leaders. Thank you, Andy, for taking the role and continuing to challenge us to do even more. I look forward to seeing how PTF will evolve under your leadership.

I want to acknowledge my amazing team who ensure that our work is impactful – Vero Reyes, Kareeshma Ali, Teresa Prim, Ayana Wilson, Monica Yoo, and Zoe Saphir.

Also, a big thank you to my stellar, dynamic, and impactful civic, community, and foundation partners – too many to name, but you know who you are. I look forward to continuing to support your success.

With deep appreciation, Cindy