Daniela Herrera

Daniela has worked in grantmaking for over 6 years, implementing participatory grantmaking strategies, and building relationships with and supporting grassroots organizations working toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy economy in Illinois. She worked previously at the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation where she led the organization’s data analysis and evaluation efforts, managed a portfolio of grants, coordinated a grantee network for shared learning, and developed and implemented grantmaking strategies.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago and an Associate of Science Degree from Elgin Community College.

Daniela lives in Chicago, the unceded land of many indigenous communities, including the Council of Three Fires: the Potowatami, Odawa, and Ojibwe nations; the Menominee, Miami, Ho-Chunk, Sac, and Fox. In Chicago, she co-founded Chicago BIPOC Birders - a grassroots movement to increase access to birding and nature for historically excluded communities in a safe and anti-racist environment. She’s an avid runner and birder, and enjoys taking her dog, Abi, on walks along the lakefront. Recently, she’s taken up pottery classes and embroidery.