Liz Dozier has dedicated her career to reshaping the narrative for overlooked communities.  

During her tenure as principal at Fenger Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side, Dozier transformed what was known as one of the most violent and underperforming schools in Chicago to a leader in restorative justice practices, academic interventions, and social emotional learning. Under her guidance, Fenger’s student dropout rate decreased from 19% to 2%, Freshman On-Track to graduate increased by 40%, and the attendance and graduation rates increased by double digits. Dozier’s efforts in education reform garnered national attention and accolades, positioning her as a trailblazer in the field. 

In 2016, Dozier extended her mission beyond the classroom by founding Chicago Beyond, a national philanthropic organization committed to addressing systemic inequity. With an emphasis on catalytic funding and community-driven solutions, Chicago Beyond has invested over $50 million in initiatives spanning justice, health, education, and beyond. This transformative approach has not only empowered grassroots leaders and organizations but has also catalyzed national systems change initiatives. Dozier’s visionary leadership has redefined the landscape of philanthropy, advocating for a holistic paradigm shift that centers human connection and collective abundance over traditional hierarchical models. Currently, Chicago Beyond’s work focuses on philanthropic innovation, healing-centered correctional reform, innovative models in maternal health, and strategic initiatives across subject matters to reduce systemic inequities. 

Dozier’s work has been featured in Paul Tough’s New York Times Best Seller, How Children Succeed and Harvard Education Press’ Belonging and Becoming: The Power of Social Emotional Learning in High Schools. Ebony magazine named Dozier one of its “Power 100” and CNN followed her work as a part of its eight-episode docu- series, Chicagoland. Dozier has been invited to speak about her work at numerous public and business institutions, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, Milken Institute, Aspen Ideas Festival, and SXSW. Dozier also hosted the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit and the Kennedy Forum’s Fourth Annual Meeting on Mental Health Equity.