Impact for Equity is excited to announce the appointment of seasoned leader and former U.S. Attorney Carter M. Stewart as its new Executive Director. Carter is a visionary leader with a deep commitment to racial, social, and economic justice. Carter, who has strong ties to Chicago, brings decades of experience in law, philanthropy, and social impact to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and influence.
“Impact for Equity has been an amplifier for transformational change in Chicago and beyond for nearly 60 years,” Carter said. “I am thrilled to join the passionate and experienced team of lawyers, advocates, and storytellers at Impact for Equity as we face the myriad unfair policies currently promulgated by the most powerful in this country. I look forward to working with our team, board, and partners to work towards a future where everyone has equitable opportunities to live their fullest life in a safe and thriving community.”
Carter most recently served as Executive Vice President for Program at the Mellon Foundation in New York, where he led a team of 100 through a comprehensive strategic transformation; oversaw the allocation of more than $300 million annually to advance arts, culture, and the humanities; and built partnerships that strengthened impact. Prior to Mellon, Carter was Managing Director at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, where he helped scale early-stage social enterprises focused on criminal justice, education, and mental health.
Earlier in his career, Carter served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, appointed by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Leading a staff of 115, he championed innovative approaches to justice, including hiring the district’s first community outreach director, creating the district’s first diversion program, and chairing a Department of Justice task force on racial disparities. His legal experience also includes roles as Assistant U.S. Attorney, litigation associate at two major law firms, and law clerk to two federal judges. Carter is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was Executive Editor of the Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.
Beyond his professional achievements, Carter has demonstrated a lifelong dedication to service and education. He has taught Law at Harvard University and the Ohio State University, served on numerous nonprofit boards, and contributed to research on police-community relations following the 2020 murder of George Floyd and the subsequent uprisings.
“Carter’s appointment marks an auspicious moment for Impact for Equity as we continue our mission to dismantle systemic barriers and create lasting change through litigation, policy advocacy, and strategic convening,” said Rosanna A. Márquez, Chair of Impact for Equity’s Board of Directors. “His proven ability to lead transformative initiatives centering on collaboration, equity, and building high-performing teams that deliver meaningful results for communities, along with his displayed passion for justice and national perspective, makes him the perfect choice to guide the organization forward. Carter joins the ranks of phenomenal leaders this organization has had over the past 57 years, marking a new, exciting chapter in the history of Impact for Equity.”
Carter’s first day will be Monday, January 12.
Impact for Equity retained Kittleman & Associates to conduct the nationwide search for its next Executive Director. Kittleman is a national executive search firm dedicated exclusively to recruiting leaders for nonprofit organizations across the country.
