ALPHAWOOD FOUNDATION CHICAGO
ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: CHIRAG G. BADLANI
October 19, 2021 (CHICAGO) Alphawood Foundation Chicago announces Chirag G. Badlani as its Executive Director, effective November 8, 2021. Badlani succeeds Jim McDonough, who retired as Executive Director this month after leading the Foundation since 2012 and who will remain as legal counsel to the Foundation until next year.
Badlani is a partner at the Chicago law firm Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., where he practices in the areas of civil rights, constitutional law, immigration law, and labor and employment. During his diverse legal practice, he has worked extensively with nonprofit and advocacy organizations in Chicago on increasing access to justice, protecting immigrants’ rights, and reforming the pretrial system. The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin have recognized Badlani for his civic and pro bono achievements.
Previously, Badlani was a law clerk to Judge Ann C. Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and he worked at the Vera Institute of Justice on the expansion of legal orientation programs for immigrant detainees. Earlier in his career, he spent time in the public sector working in urban planning and community development at the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chirag to Alphawood,” said Fred Eychaner, Chairman. “With his leadership, enthusiasm, and proven commitment to the Chicago community, we know the Foundation will be able to continue its important work supporting our many grantees.”
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead an organization which has had an immeasurable impact on so many progressive issues I care deeply about,” Badlani said. “I am beyond excited to work with the Alphawood Foundation Board, founder Fred Eychaner, and Jim McDonough to advance justice, support the arts, and address new challenges facing our community.”
Jim McDonough joined Alphawood in June 2012 after a complex and distinguished career. He was a partner with Gardner Carton & Douglas until 2005. He served in senior management roles and as General Counsel at Chicago Sun-Times Media from 2005 to 2012, shepherding it through numerous challenging circumstances and helping keep its voice alive through devastating developments in journalism.
McDonough served on the national Board of Directors of Lambda Legal from 2003 to 2009 and is currently on the Executive Committee of The Joffrey Ballet.
Fred Eychaner salutes Jim on his retirement, commending his incisive analysis in leading Alphawood through a challenging decade and re-articulating our long-standing commitments in striving for an equitable, just, and humane society. Fred thanks Jim for giving Alphawood Foundation his time, talent, warmth, and passion over the last nine years.
ABOUT ALPHAWOOD FOUNDATION CHICAGO
Alphawood Foundation Chicago is a grant making private foundation working for an equitable, just, and humane society. It awards annual grants to organizations in and around Chicago, primarily in the areas of advocacy, architecture and preservation, arts, the environment, promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQ persons and people living with HIV/AIDS, and other human and civil rights.
Alphawood also funds extensive work in Central American archaeology, and an extensive Southeast Asian art history program at SOAS - School of Oriental and African Studies in London which includes three endowed chairs and has funded over 100 students from Southeast Asian countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Alphawood provided seed funding and technical support for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in the East River of New York, and was lead donor for its construction, realizing Louis Kahn's brilliant design. Alphawood is a major funder of The Joffrey Ballet and was lead donor for the Joffrey Tower studios and led the campaign to restore one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most important buildings, Unity Temple in Oak Park.
###
Media contact:
Beth Silverman
The Silverman Group, Inc.
+1 312 560-4783
beth@silvermangroupchicago.com