Jeanette Ruby is the Director of Development at CDEL. She brings an extensive background in philanthropy to foster CDEL’s ongoing growth and success through donor engagement.

Jeanette has dedicated much of her career to raising major gifts for vulnerable populations. She most recently served as Foundation Director for Lutheran Life Communities Foundation, a multistate senior living community specializing in memory care, skilled nursing, and assisted living. She has held roles in Foundation Relations at Alzheimer’s Association and led the Leadership Gifts team at Salvation Army of Metropolitan Chicago. Jeanette also raised major gifts from Chicago philanthropists and foundations for Rare, a Virginia-based environmental organization focused on global sustainable fishing and farming.

With a background in science, Jeanette has held fundraising roles at numerous healthcare/scientific organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Surgical Oncology and several healthcare clients at SmithBucklin, an association management company.

Jeanette earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and has completed executive education through the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She currently serves on the Program Committee of Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP).