Stephanie Piccirilli

Background

About Stephanie Piccirilli

Social impact leader with over 25 years of experience in creating, building, and scaling organizations that champion the human spirit and lead to meaningful outcomes. CEO at Ignite, Co-Founder of @brightendeavors, social entrepreneur, and unwavering optimist.Stephanie currently serves as the President & CEO of Ignite - a legacy, social impact organization that has supported youth experiencing homelessness in Chicago for 50 years. Charged with leading the vision and strategic initiatives of a +$6MM organization that enrolls over 850 youth annually, Stephanie works with the Board of Directors, public and private funders, and federal and city leaders to lift up communities and create equity throughout Chicago and across the nation. With over 25 years of service to Chicago’s neighborhoods, Stephanie has gained diverse experience in leading teams in the areas of affordable housing, emergency services, trauma informed care, youth engagement & outreach, workforce development, and philanthropy. A strong advocate for housing justice and the safety of youth, Stephanie has traveled nationally to speak with Congressional leaders, staff, and elected officials to educate them on evidence-based practices and the changing needs of youth. Ignite is the 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner in the Social Impact Category for its Community Housing Program.A believer in the power and promise of generations to come, Stephanie co-founded Chicago’s first youth-centered social enterprise, Bright Endeavors in 2007. Still thriving today, Bright Endeavors offers a path to quality employment for young moms experiencing homelessness in Chicago.Currently, Stephanie serves on the Board of Directors of Chicago’s Continuum of Care, Co-Chairs the Systems Operations and Performance Committee, and sits on the Executive Committee of the Service Providers Commission. Previously, she led the Employment Committee for the City of Chicago’s Youth Homelessness Task Force as Chairperson, served as Treasurer and Board Director for Chicago’s Social Enterprise Alliance, served on the Community Training Advisory Committee for the Chicago Police Department, and was a teaching artist for Woman Made Gallery’s 20 Neighborhoods Project. Stephanie is a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications design from Ray College.Having begun her career in the hospitality industry, Stephanie is drawn to the challenge of solving social issues with an entrepreneurial energy and outcomes driven spirit.