About
Collective Initiatives

Collective Initiatives Inc. is a 501C3 nonprofit organization focused on economic development in under-resourced communities and social inclusion for underrepresented people. Our work includes Business Management Programs and Services, and Community Development Initiatives. Our efforts are designed to ensure long-term economic and social well-being for people and communities that have historically lacked both.

Our Founder

Lenise S. Lee

Lenise is the Founder and CEO of Collective Initiatives Inc. She founded the organization in December 2019 to promote economic development and self-sufficiency in under-resourced communities.

Lenise herself is a native of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Against adversity, Lenise obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SIU Carbondale, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northern Illinois University, and a Master of International Management from ENAE Business School in Murcia, Spain. In addition to her education, Lenise has served as Business Manager at the University of Chicago, Operations Director for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), Director of Operations for Kindling Group, and CEO of her own company Presentation Is Everything LLC.

Because Lenise is passionate about the advancement of Black communities and families, she has also spent approximately 5 years advocating for and mentoring youth in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and with the Pretty Brown Girl Foundation.

Our mission is to foster social and economic development in under-resourced communities by improving social conditions and increasing business viability within those communities.

Our vision is an equitable society where everyone can achieve their dreams. We aim to eliminate the social and economic disparities between under-resourced and affluent regions, and underrepresented and dominant groups.

Our Leadership