DU Alumna, Board Trustee Melissa Connelly Named a Notable Black Leader by Crain’s Chicago Business

Melissa Connelly MAT ’08, MAEd ’13 has been named a Notable Black Leader of 2024 by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Connelly joined Dominican University’s Board of Trustees in 2023 and serves as secretary. She is also CEO of OneGoal, a national education nonprofit that works with more than 50 school districts to close postsecondary opportunity gaps for high school students. She is responsible for managing a $40 million budget and a staff of more than 220.

Crain’s noted that under Connelly’s leadership, OneGoal launched the OneGoal Leadership Network with the Illinois State Board of Education, increasing the number of students served within the state and expanding to three other states as well. 

OneGoal was awarded the Bradford O’Neil-Medallion for Social Justice from Dominican University in 2021.

This year’s Notable Black Leaders were selected based on nominations. 

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, president and CEO of Sinai Chicago, also made Crain’s 2024 list. Ezike is a member of Dominican University’s Center for Igbo Studies advisory board and received an honorary doctorate degree from the university and addressed the undergraduate class during May 2024 commencement.