Anjali D. Alva is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in philanthropy, research, and nonprofit management. As the current Grants Manager at the Steans Family Foundation, she oversees the administration of grants and manages a growing portfolio focused on North Lawndale, North Chicago, and policy initiatives. Since joining in 2016, Anjali has played a critical role in expanding the Foundation’s annual grantmaking from $3 million to $19 million.

In addition to her role at the Steans Family Foundation, Anjali serves as a Senior Consultant for David Schreier Associates, where she applies her expertise in research, data analytics, and project management to help clients navigate complex challenges. Before this, she worked at The Benida Group Philanthropies, managing four family foundations with a combined annual grantmaking budget of over $5 million. There, she led efforts in program and policy analysis and served as Program Officer for a groundbreaking anti-bullying grant initiative.

Anjali's background also includes roles in local government and academia, where she conducted policy research and demographic analysis for the Village of Tinley Park, Illinois, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her career has been marked by a commitment to social justice and community development, leveraging her skills in strategic fund development, communications, and data visualization to drive impactful outcomes.

Anjali holds a Master’s of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Benedictine University. She brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for justice reform, community engagement, and social impact to her role on the board of Reimagine Justice Illinois.