Leslie Bluhm is a social entrepreneur who empowers people to tackle challenges through collaborative action.
In 1991, Leslie co-founded Chicago Cares, Inc., the city’s leading volunteer service organization to harness people power to meet critical community needs while fostering connection between diverse Chicagoans through the service experience. Chicago Cares is redefining volunteerism to be equity-centered and community-driven, while at the same time, catalyzing long-term volunteer engagement and investment. Chicago Cares is a trusted partner to volunteers, corporations, and neighborhood organizations on Chicago’s South and West side. More than 5,000 volunteers and nearly 100 companies partner with Chicago Cares annually to build a more caring and just society.
Leslie was named one of six Chicagoans of the year by Chicago Magazine and was named to Crain’s 40 under 40. She is proud to serve on the board of directors of Chicago Cares, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, OneGoal, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Shining Hope for Communities. She also serves on the board of directors of Rush Street Interactive, Inc (NYSE: RSI). Leslie was appointed and served on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service (also known as AmeriCorps), the federal agency for National Service and Volunteerism under President Joseph Biden.
She earned a BA from the University of Michigan and a JD from the University of Chicago Law School. Leslie and her husband David Helfand reside in Chicago and have two sons.