Board of Directors

Andrew Davis founded The Education Equity Fund in May 2020 with a clear vision:

Fund students in programs that deliver superior outcomes.
Support educational programs that positively impact the Chicago region.
Operate on a fair, sustainable financial model requiring investment from both funders and students.

Drawing on decades of experience in capital markets and education finance, Davis designed a funding model rooted in ROI principles and social responsibility. His background includes serving as managing partner of the world’s largest foreign exchange derivatives group, building a major non-NY equity trading firm, and leading the Illinois Student Assistance Commission through the 2008 financial crisis.

Davis saw a dual reality: immense unmet demand for student funding, and billions wasted on underperforming programs. The Education Equity Fund is his response—focused, results-driven, and socially conscious.

Beyond finance, Davis has held significant leadership roles:

Beloit College Board of Trustees – 17 years (5 as Chair)
Planned Parenthood of Illinois – 6 years (5 as Treasurer)
2024 candidate for Chicago’s 4th District Public School Board (unsuccessful bid)

He earned a BA in Economics from Beloit College in 1979 and is a dedicated marathon runner—set to complete his 10th marathon in Chicago, October 2025.

Christian Feaman

Board Chair

Chris Feaman was a founding Board member of The Education Equity Fund and in 2024 was elected Board Chair succeeding Anne Ladky. Chris is the Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Northwestern Settlement in Chicago. Previously Chris was Director of District Advocacy for The Illinois Network of Charter Schools. He earned his MBA at Northwestern University Kellogg School.

Anne Ladky

Board Chair Emirita

Anne Ladky was the founding Board Chair of EEF in 2020 and served in that role for four years. In 2024 she was elected to emerita status. In the past Anne was the Executive Director of Chicago's Women Employed, a highly effective organization that advocates and works to improve women's economic status and remove barriers to economic equity. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of The Chicago Community Trust and is on the Board of the Civic Consulting Alliance.

Dr. Steve Fisher

Dr Steve Fisher is the Principal of The Johnson School of Excellence in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. He earned his EdD degree from The University of Illinois at Chicago’s program in Urban Education Leadership.

Jill Cannon

Jill Cannon is the Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago based not-for-profit “The Simple Good.”
She is a licensed school administrator, program developer, and organizational development consultant, who is passionate about making social and emotional skill-building opportunities available to all students.
Her fervent advocacy for educational access is evident in her personal pursuits and volunteer efforts as well. She earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Spelman College, a master’s in early childhood education from Towson University, and a master’s in educational administration from Harvard University.

Dr. Efrain Martinez

Dr Efrain Martinez is the Principal of Fischer Elementary School, Elmhurst District 205. He earned his EdD degree at National Louis University while serving as the Principal of Orozco Community Academy, a CPS Elementary School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Previously Dr Martinez earned Masters degrees from both UIC and American College of Education. He earned his BA at PennWest California.

Stratford Shields

Stratford Shields is Chairman of Meristem Advisors a municipal finance advisory firm. Stratford is one of the leaders in the municipal finance field having served as Head of the Public Finance group at two major wall street firms and Chairman of the Securities Industry Financial Markets Association Municipal Division. He holds a BA in History from the Ohio State University and an MA in Political Science and an MBA from Columbia University.

Ben Chrischilles

Ben Chrischilles is a Senior Director at Huron Consulting Group. He provides strategy consulting services to higher education institutions around the world. Ben started his career as a high school math teacher and varsity soccer coach at Bogan High School, a neighborhood CPS school at 79th & Pulaski. Previously He worked in strategy and development roles at Teach For America in the Chicago-Northwest Indiana region. He has a BA from Beloit College and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. Ben resides in Winnetka with his wife, and their two children.

John Kato

John Kato is a Managing Director at TransMarket Group, a global proprietary quantitative trading firm, where he has worked for Seventeen years. He oversees fixed income securities trading as well as business development. He is a graduate of Beloit College.

Peter Landon

Pete Landon is a principal of LBBA Architects, Chicago’s foremost architectural firm dedicated to the design of affordable community housing. Pete was the founder of this firm in 1987 and has been recognized by many organizations for the excellence of his work. In 2018 he was given the Life Time Achievement award by the AIA Chicago. That same year Pete and his partners were named Chicago Architects of the year by the Chicago Tribune for their work in affordable housing. In addition to practicing Architecture Pete has taught Architecture and Design at UIC and The Illinois Institute of Technology. He lives in Chicago and is a graduate of Kansas University.