A Giving Heart Foundation’s vision is to eliminate invasive treatments for kids with congenital and structural heart disease and let kids be kids again. Proudly partnering with Lurie Children’s, Leading with Heart is designed to identify future leaders who are current high school students in Chicagoland aged 16 years or older.
A Giving Heart Foundation is continuing its newest initiative, Leading with Heart, to engage Chicago-area high school students in philanthropy and develop them into strong community leaders. Participating students receive leadership development training and learn about philanthropy while raising much-needed funds for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Heart Center.
Students engage in several sessions and learn all aspects of philanthropy and leadership from vision to execution. They receive coaching from some of Chicago’s leaders representing all aspects of the for-profit and not-for-profit communities. The students are assigned to teams to develop a strategy coached by community leaders and focused on the outcome of successful fundraising.
Bob Berk (A Giving Heart Foundation) and Ben Black (Lurie Children’s) have developed the program curriculum.
PROGRAM TENETS
ELIGIBILITY
- 16 years of age by May 2023
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent)
- Completed Application

Bob Berk, an accomplished entrepreneur, Master Chair for VISTAGE International, and author of Leadership Between the Sheets. Bob is known for bringing clarity and invaluable perspective to business leaders and students of all ages. Bob has spent the last 20 years working with leadership teams and C Suite Executives, while also developing and leading Millennium Development programs for the Chicago business community. Bob has also spoken at the university level and worked with leadership development at a Chicago Public High School.
TESTIMONIALS
Enrollment for 2023 class is closed. If you have interest in 2024, please contact Bob Berk: bob.berk@vistagechair.com
Support a Leading with Heart Student