Polk Bros. Foundation welcomes James Fawley as Vice President of Investments and Administration

Polk Bros. Foundation welcomed James Fawley to its team last week as the new vice president of investments and administration.

In this role, James will have responsibility for oversight of the Foundation’s investment portfolio and investment performance reporting, formulating financial policy and plans in partnership with the Foundation’s CEO, Investment Committee, and investment advisor. He will also manage human resources and supervise Foundation staff handling budgeting, accounting, and grants administration.

“We are thrilled to welcome James to our team. His dedication to mission-driven organizations, his financial and investments acumen, and the breadth of his skills and insights make him the perfect addition to the Foundation,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow. “I look forward to collaborating with him to ensure our resources continue to make a meaningful difference in Chicago.”

James brings experience across nonprofit organizations, large multinational firms and start-ups. For the past decade, he has served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at The Morton Arboretum, where he was instrumental in driving significant growth and ensuring the long-term financial stability of the institution. Prior to this, James held various strategic leadership roles, including vice president of strategic business development at Coskata, Inc., and vice president of strategy for Biofuels at BP p.l.c.

James has a strong passion for helping mission-driven organizations grow and thrive. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan and a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago. He enjoys spending time with his wife Ruth and two daughters, Lia and Hannah. Outside of work and family, James is deeply committed to community involvement, having served as Board Director of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra and Board Director and Treasurer for the Elementary School District 181 Foundation. He is also a dedicated musician who performs with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra as its principal violist.

“I am very excited to join the Polk Bros. Foundation at such an important time in its history,” James said. “In these volatile, uncertain times, the Foundation’s mission has never been more critical and I look forward to supporting our team and Board to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

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