Kayce Ataiyero

Chief External Affairs Officer
Portrait of Kayce Ataiyero

Kayce Ataiyero is the Chief External Affairs Officer at the Joyce Foundation, where she oversees the Foundation's strategic communications, the Journalism Program and the Lend A Hand community grants fund. She is also a member of the Foundation's leadership team.

Ataiyero has extensive experience in communications, journalism and politics. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2018, she served as director of external affairs for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she led communications and community engagement. She has also led communications for U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, the Illinois Governor’s Office and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office.

As an award-winning journalist, Ataiyero previously worked as a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune, The Raleigh News and Observer, Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post.

Kayce has a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. She is board chair of Media Impact Funders, a national organization that advances the work of a broad range of funders committed to supporting media in the public interest. She also serves on the board of Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, an organization committed to the unfinished business of our nation’s civil rights movement. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow, was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois by Women We Admire, a Notable Black Leader and Executive by Crain’s Chicago Business and one of Chicago’s most influential Black leaders by The Chicago Tribune. She also at one time was general manager of the Chicago Steam, a minor-league basketball team.

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Women We Admire features Joyce's Kayce Ataiyero as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois for 2023. Ataiyero has extensive experience in communications, journalism and politics.

In The Media

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Why Representation and Accessibility Matter: A Conversation with Kayce Ataiyero, hosted by Chanda Smith Baker

Kayce Ataiyero discusses her journalism background and current leadership in philanthropy, and why both sectors must create a better environment for people of color to thrive and ascend.

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Crain's 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives

Crain's Chicago Business features Kayce Ataiyero as one of the 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives. Kayce Ataiyero is the Chief External Affairs Officer at the Joyce Foundation..

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