Unmi Song to retire from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation after 22 years as President

June 2, 2025

With deep gratitude for her two decades of leadership, the Board of Directors of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation announces that Unmi Song is stepping down as President of the Foundation at the end of this year.

Under Unmi’s leadership, the Foundation has sharpened our focus and ability to derive the most impact from our grantmaking. Her approach involved keen examination of the issues and challenges facing our grantee partners and Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.

Said Board Chair Amina Dickerson, “Unmi brought her whole self to the Foundation – her life in a Korean immigrant family, her MBA from the University of Chicago and her experience in the finance industry. More than that, she brought her integrity, compassion, clarity and intellect to the benefit of untold numbers of people whose lives have been touched by the strong nonprofit organizations we support.” Unmi’s strategic vision helped pioneer approaches that have since become best practices.

The Fry Foundation was among the first to invest in Bridge Programs-helping adults with limited education build the literacy and math skills needed to succeed in growing industries. Now a common practice, City Colleges of Chicago incorporates Bridge programs in its industry certification programs.

Recognizing emerging research, Unmi helped guide investments toward improving school leadership across Chicago Public Schools. This forward-thinking focus is now commonly understood; good school leaders attract and develop good teachers and there is no good school without an effective school leader.

The Foundation’s Health program was among the first to help local non-profit health clinics coordinate patient care and create Medical Homes for uninsured and Medicaid patients.

The Foundation fosters collaboration across Chicago’s cultural community, transforming how the Arts sector understands, measures and delivers high-quality arts education for all CPS students.

Said Unmi Song, “Foundations can have ambitious goals, as long as they are realistic, focused and strategic. Now more than ever, we must deepen our impact, accelerating trends, moving programs over the tipping point and remaining flexible in the face of sudden need. I can’t wait to see what the Fry Foundation accomplishes in the decades ahead.”

Unmi was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Advisory Committee on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders; received the Chicago Women in Philanthropy Making a Difference Award; and the Local Champion Award from Asian Americans/Pacific islanders in Philanthropy. She is an active supporter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Hana Center and has served on local civic boards including the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Alliance for the Great Lakes and Forefront.

The Board and staff extend their deepest appreciation to Unmi for her leadership and the indelible legacy she leaves behind-a talented and dedicated team and a vibrant organization, poised for continued and lasting impact on the lives of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents through education, employment and the arts.