Medium: Liz Dozier Of Chicago Beyond On The Self-Care Routines & Practices Of Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

All of us know that we have to take breaks in our day to take care of ourselves. “Selfcare is healthcare”, the saying goes. At the same time, we know that when you are a busy leader with enormous responsibility on your shoulders, it’s so easy to prioritize the urgent demands of work over the important requirements of self-care. How do busy entrepreneurs and leaders create space to properly take care of themselves? What are the self-care routines of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders? In this interview series, we are talking to busy and successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, and civic leaders who can discuss their self-care practices and self-care routines. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Liz Dozier, Founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond.

Characterized by her relentless pursuit of equity and justice, Liz Dozier has dedicated her career to reshaping the narrative for overlooked people and communities.

In 2016, Liz founded and launched Chicago Beyond, a national philanthropic organization that addresses systemic inequity by backing solutions led by those closest to the issues. Chicago Beyond makes strategic investments, leads national initiatives, and shares valuable insights to drive equitable change in philanthropy, justice, health, and beyond.

Since its founding, Chicago Beyond has invested more than $60M in community-led initiatives and individuals and launched unique collaborations with major institutions like the NBA Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, JustLeadershipUSA, Birth Center Equity, the Office of IL Governor Pritzker, and more.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! It is an honor. Our readers would love to learn more about your personal background. Can you please share with our readers your personal backstory; What has brought you to this point in your life?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story. It truly is an honor to connect with you and your readers.

My journey is rooted in a unique blend of influences, beginning with my parents’ extraordinary meeting. My mother, a dedicated Catholic nun and educator for 20 years, crossed paths with my father, who was incarcerated. Growing up at the intersection of these two distinct worlds has profoundly shaped my personal and professional life perspectives.

My father’s childhood and adult experiences with the very systems that Chicago Beyond aims to support have been a powerful inspiration for my career path. Prior to founding Chicago Beyond in 2016, I served as the principal of Fenger Academy High School on the South Side of Chicago. During my tenure, we achieved remarkable success, transforming a school once labeled as one of the most challenged in the city into a symbol of positive change.

At Chicago Beyond, we are deeply committed to a holistic approach rooted in well-being, a commitment that was honed during my time at Fenger. We recognize that solutions cannot be one-size-fits-all, as people and communities are diverse and complex. By leveraging the expertise of those closest to the issues, we cultivate a trust-based strategy that addresses the intricate challenges we face.

Chicago Beyond is more than just a philanthropic organization; it is a collaborative journey. We bring together voices, experiences, and expertise to build a future defined by equity and opportunity across the United States.

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