Kassie Davis joined the CME Group Foundation in 2006 as its first Executive Director. Prior to her retirement in 2021, she led the Foundation to national prominence in early childhood, K-12 and post-secondary education funding. She was responsible for the Foundation’s $6 million annual grant program, grantee performance measurement and reporting, external relations and management of outside legal, investment management, audit and tax resources.
Kassie was a leader in Chicago philanthropy since 1990 when she started the corporate contributions program at Marshall Field’s. Following six years of corporate giving and two years of state government grantmaking experience, she began a consulting practice in 1999, providing research, program development and proposal review services for foundations and non-profits. From 2000 to May 2003, Kassie also acted as Project Director of Giving Greater Chicago, a three-year initiative of the Donors Forum of Chicago, promoting the creation of permanent philanthropic capital. She was appointed Senior Program Officer for arts and culture at The Chicago Community Trust in July 2004 directing the Trust’s leadership activities, grantmaking and research in her program area
In 1997 and 1998, Kassie served as Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council, the state agency responsible for funding the arts. Kassie worked for Marshall Field’s for eleven years, joining the retailer in 1986 as Vice President, Marketing Research and Planning. She was named Vice President, Direct Response in 1987 and in 1988 became Vice President, Public Relations and Special Events. Following the company’s acquisition by Target Corporation in 1990, she became Director, Public Affairs and Communications.