Paul Sznewajs

Paul Sznewajs is a highly accomplished individual with a strong background in nonprofit and philanthropic work, known for his leadership as the founding Executive Director of Ingenuity, a recipient of the 2013 Chicago Innovation Award.

He has a rich history of establishing partnerships with various educational and cultural institutions in Chicago and national entities such as the Aspen Institute and the Kennedy Center.

With close to two decades of senior leadership experience, Paul has successfully built, launched, and assessed complex social sector initiatives, including leading the Be Creative Campaign, a $20MM fundraising effort for Chicago Public Schools.

His expertise spans diverse areas within the nonprofit sector, from executive leadership to grant-making, strategic planning, and program evaluation, with a focus on public/private partnerships, negotiation, organizational growth, fundraising, and arts & culture.

Paul Sznewajs holds a Master of Fine Arts from Old Dominion University, a Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management certification from Harvard Business School, and a B.A. from Marquette University.

His remarkable contributions have been recognized through awards such as Boeing's 2013 Game Changer Award and Americans for the Arts' 2018 National Leadership Award, highlighting his impact as a chief fundraiser, arts advocate, and national leader in arts, culture, education, and philanthropy.