Judith F. Coleman, CFRE
Judith Coleman believes the most powerful philanthropy occurs when benefactors see themselves as partners in a shared mission, investing through an organization to create lasting impact. That conviction shapes her work, from how she structures a first conversation to how she stewards a multi-year commitment.
She currently serves as the inaugural Director of Development for UI Hospital and Clinics and Mile Square Health Center at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she leads major gift strategy. She previously directed donor relations at Covenant House Illinois and served as Major Gifts Officer and then Director of Development at Roosevelt University, supporting the Colleges of Education and Pharmacy.
Judith is a nationally recognized educator. She has served on the faculty of AFP Chicago’s Fundamentals of Fundraising course. She has presented for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Fundraising Academy, Big Buzz Idea Group, and Good Works/Better Godparents, and on AFP regional and national platforms. She will join colleagues on a panel at AFP Global ICON 2027.
Her approach draws on donor-centered practice and the Neurogiving framework, the science of why people provide. She was a member of the AFP Chicago Board of Directors from 2021 to 2025 and champions inclusive, ethical fundraising that reflects the communities organizations serve.
Judith holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential and a BA in Urban Studies from Mount Holyoke College. She is a member of The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.