Alex Kwak, CFRE

System Director, Engagement

Photo of Alex Kwak.

Alex Kwak, CFRE (he/him/his) is the System Director for Engagement for CommonSpirit Health's philanthropy team. He has more than 20 years of experience in health care, higher education and human services development.

Alex oversees direct response, annual giving and communications strategy in support of 80 local foundations across the ministry, as well as supporting CommonSpirit Health Foundation and national philanthropy communications.

Previously, Alex served as the Marketing Director for the University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences Development office. He provided strategic direction for marketing efforts and digital strategy in support of fundraising goals, and oversaw the annual giving program for alumni, friends, leadership volunteers and grateful patients. Prior to this role, Alex served as Director of Development at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and before that as Senior Director of Annual Giving and Gifts & Records Management at Rush University Medical Center.

Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University, a certificate in data analytics from the University of Chicago, and earned his CFRE in 2024. Originally from New Mexico, he now lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two young children and senior dog.