Dr. Yani Mason is a nonprofit executive and community leader dedicated to advancing gender and racial equity and expanding opportunity for girls and women in Chicago and beyond. Guided by a deep commitment to social justice, her career has been shaped by a steadfast focus on creating pathways to success for communities that have been historically marginalized.
Over the course of her 16-year career in the nonprofit and education sectors, Yani has raised more than $10 million in philanthropic support for local nonprofit and educational institutions serving communities of color on Chicago’s South Side. Her professional experience spans communications, fundraising, and community engagement, with leadership roles at organizations including the University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, and World Business Chicago. Across each role, she has been recognized for building strong partnerships, advancing mission-driven strategies, and mobilizing resources to drive lasting community impact.
Since 2022, Yani has served as Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of Chicago, the local affiliate of the national Girls Inc. network. In this role, she provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the organization’s mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Under her leadership, Girls Inc. of Chicago continues to deliver high-quality, evidence-based programming that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of girls across the city.
Beyond her professional work, Yani remains deeply committed to civic engagement and community service, volunteering her time and leadership in support of organizations working to make Chicago a more equitable and thriving city.
A lifelong learner, Yani holds a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Governors State University, a Master of Public Policy from Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Fisk University. She also earned a Certificate in Integrated Marketing from the University of Chicago Graham School.
What’s your best advice for your younger self?
I think that everything in life happens for a reason and our lived experiences (both good, bad, and everything in between) shape the magnificent beings we were created and destined to be. Therefore, I am reluctant to say that I would change certain life events in my past. However, I do wish that I realized when I was younger that I was worthy to enter every room, sit at every table, and rest assured in the recognition that I was enough.