Monica Jirak headshots

Director of Development

As the Director of Development at Openlands, Monica Jirak brings over 16 years of dynamic leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors. Formerly the Executive Director of an arts and cultural non-profit, she steered the organization towards operational excellence and strategic growth. Monica has a diverse skill set encompassing effective fundraising strategies, communication advocacy, community engagement, public relations and leading and managing successful projects. Beyond her professional life, she is a dedicated mom, who embraces daily lessons of patience and grace. Her commitment to Openlands reflects a deep belief in making nature accessible to all and a recognition of its impact on mental health and overall well-being. Step into Monica’s world, where leadership meets passion, positive change, and an unwavering appreciation for the transformative power of nature. Monica holds a BA in Communications from the University of Illinois Chicago and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University.

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This Earth Month, we’re inviting you to go All In for Nature with Openlands.

Every donation will be matched up to $50,000. That means your gift goes twice as far to protect the natural spaces we cherish close to home.