James “Jim” E. Mann

Board Member

Mr. Mann retired in 2010. He has had more than forty years experience dealing with public policy and community development in both the public and the private sectors. He continues today to be active as a member of various Chicago area civic organizations.

 In his last position starting in 2001, he had served as the founding executive director of the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations and taking the lead role in its public outreach, grant making and education efforts. 

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Mann served for five years as Midwest director and associate general counsel for state policy for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, assisting state and local preservation organizations in their dealings with legislative and regulation at executive and administrative levels of government. 

Before that, Mr. Mann had a fifteen-year career as a practicing attorney, representing governments, public interest organizations and private interests in the development and implementation of public policies at the state and local level on community investment, intergovernmental cooperation and public financings.  He also has held positions in government, a university and a community-based organization. 

Throughout his professional life, Mr. Mann has held leadership positions in major Chicago area civic organizations and become familiar with the grant-making process as both an applicant and a decision maker. Mr. Mann holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and received his law degree from the University of Chicago.