Caren Yanis

Caren supports the Ortus Foundation with strategic advising. Previously Caren was the executive director of the Oprah Winfrey Foundations, and the president of Crown Family Philanthropies in Chicago. She works with Ortus on strategies for prevention and response to youth and young adult mental health issues in schools.

Caren teaches philanthropy in private wealth management programs and to advisors through the Booth School at the University of Chicago, the Spertus Institute and at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is on the advisory board of The Women’s Philanthropy Institute and is a board director and the strategy chair at the Impact Guild. She formerly chaired the board of the Poetry Foundation. Caren is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. She enjoys mentoring mid-career professionals and helping people find gratitude and joy in their philanthropy.