Walder Foundation

10/08/2026

Women remain underrepresented in founder and senior leadership roles in biotech.

But the tides may be changing.

🔗 Nucleate Israel is helping build the pipeline of women biotech founders and entrepreneurs: walderfoundation.org/news/when-more-hands-go-up

🤩 Receive stories like this in your inbox: walderfoundation.org/stay-connected

10/01/2026

What do the following have in common?

🪸coral reefs
🦇bat communities + disease ecology
🪽wetlands + bird habitat
🌺plant conservation
🐀urban ecosystems

They're all the focus of research led by our 2026 Biota Awardees!

🔗 Uncover more project details: walderfoundation.org/news/research-rooted-in-place-impact-beyond-borders

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09/29/2026

Chicago has no shortage of creative talent.

But talent alone isn't enough.

Artists also need access to the infrastructure, networks, and resources that help creative careers thrive.

Through research, archiving, artist support, and community-building, Experimental Sound Studio is examining where gaps exist in Chicago's performing arts ecosystem and what it takes to make creative careers more sustainable and accessible.

🔗 Read more: walderfoundation.org/news/the-infrastructure-behind-chicagos-creative-future

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09/18/2026

How have you been celebrating ?

We join Welcoming America and organizations and communities to affirm the importance of welcoming places in achieving collective prosperity.

Because belonging is built through everyday actions.

🔗 Learn more about Welcoming Week: welcomingweek.org

🔗 Read about Chicago’s recent Certified Welcoming designation in this Foundation article: walderfoundation.org/news/what-makes-a-community-welcoming

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09/04/2026

🌟 Welcome to the team! 🌟

New employees joined our team this August. Help us give Jennifer Raskas and Adam Zamansky a warm welcome! 👋

️️➡️ Jennifer joins Walder Foundation-Israel as Director of New Initiatives and Educator-in-Residence. She advises on strategic opportunities and develops programs across our Jewish Life program area, focusing on advancing Women’s Torah leadership as a field of impact. In her free time, you can find Jen drawing, leading a book club, teaching, and helping people find jobs.

️️➡️ Adam joins Walder Group as Senior Financial Analyst. In this role, he supports financial reporting initiatives, tracks asset allocations, and develops standardized financial processes. Outside of work, Adam is driven by sports, adventure, entrepreneurship, and meeting people.

08/24/2026

Since receiving a 2022 Biota Award, Becky Barak's research on rethinking lawns has helped attract more than $2 million in additional funding, and she and her colleagues have engaged and mentored many emerging conservation leaders in the region.

One of those emerging conservation leaders is Libby Shafer, a Ph.D. candidate in plant biology and conservation at Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden (through the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science & Action) whose Bees on the Block project (Host Plant Network) builds off Barak's Biota project. Shafer is bringing Evanston neighbors together to create pollinator habitat and support urban biodiversity.

📰 Read more about Libby's efforts in this recent Evanston Roundtable article: https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/08/09/bees-on-the-block-native-plant-pollinator-project/

🌿 Learn more about Barak's Biota project and the Biota Awards community: biotaawards.org

Evanston neighbors are getting together this summer to begin transforming their front yards into pollinator pathways. It’s all part of Bees on the Block,

08/10/2026

Who are Dreamers today?

➡️ Professionals
➡️ Entrepreneurs
➡️ Community leaders
➡️ College students

Data from thedream.us highlights the impact Dreamers are making across Chicago and Illinois at large, shaping the future of our region.

🔗 Learn about the report and the work of thedream.us: walderfoundation.org/news/when-dreamers-rise-our-cities-rise

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08/07/2026

Where does scientific progress really begin?

How can we maximize scientific talent and perspective?

🔗Explore possible answers to these questions and more, with insights from students and leaders of Elmhurst University, North Central College, and Chicago State University State University: walderfoundation.org/news/science-doesnt-wait-for-graduation

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08/04/2026

🔦 Shining a light on the 2026 Biota Awardees 🔦

Next up: Lexi Frank of Field Museum!

❓What can bats and Indigenous knowledge teach us about protecting both ecosystems and human health?

🎥 Watch for five fast facts about Lexi.

Learn more: biotaawards.org