The DuPagePads’ Board of Directors is pleased to introduce April Redzic as the next President and CEO of DuPagePads. Dedicated to ending homelessness in DuPage County for 35 years, DuPagePads welcomes Redzic starting July 27, 2020, following the retirement of former President and CEO Carol Simler after 23 years of service and leadership.

Having worked for Chicagoland nonprofits in the housing sphere for close to 19 years, Redzic is eager to apply her strong leadership and relationship/partnership building experience as the next DuPagePads’ President and CEO. 

“A stable home environment is the cornerstone of everything for someone who is struggling with their life conditions. If you do not have an address, you cannot get a job. If you do not have a place to sleep, you cannot be rested for a job interview—or perform well in a classroom. If you do not know where you are going to sleep on a given night, it is hard to plan for the future. It all begins with having a room of one’s own and a safe personal space to live in. I applaud the successful work of DuPagePads for 35 years and look forward to charting the course for the next era of the agency.”

-April Redzic

April Redzic is an engaging leader and executive bringing a robust background in marketing, public relations, board engagement and funding diversification. Since 2011, Redzic has served the community working at Kids Above All (formerly known as ChildServ), a Chicago-based organization that works with more than 2,500 children and families annually to improve lives through comprehensive services in Cook, Lake, DuPage and Kane counties. She started at Kids Above All as Director of Marketing and Communications before assuming the role of Vice President, Resource Development in 2015. Her previous experience also includes Director roles at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Catholic Charities in Chicago.  

“April is a leader who approaches everything she does with joy, enthusiasm and strategy. As our region continues to face economic and health challenges, I am confident that April will lead DuPagePads toward providing greater solutions for reducing homelessness in DuPage County, and bring stability and independence to people battling housing crises.”

-Sean Garrett, President and CEO, United Way Metro Chicago

Bringing housing and stability to more families and individuals recovering from trauma is a cause that is near and dear to Redzic’s heart. Her experience founding a literacy program in a family shelter is what ultimately inspired her to make a lasting career in the nonprofit sector. Redzic holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from Notre Dame University – Mendoza College of Business and a Bachelor of Science from Loyola University Chicago.

In February 2020, DuPagePads’ Board of Directors retained KEES as its executive search partner. A comprehensive search was launched, attracting many candidates both locally and regionally. The Search Committee, led by former Board Chair Valerie Jungels (Real Estate Consultant) and current Board Chair Vickie Tabbert (Field Director, Illinois Association of School Administration), selected April Redzic from an outstanding group of top finalists. Special thanks to the entire search committee for their dedication and commitment: Ryan Bird (Vice President, Commercial Relationship Officer, Byline Bank), Laura Crawford (President & CEO, Chamber630), Bill Hassett (CEO, Dot.org Services), Greg Horejs (Principal, CAGE Civil Engineering), Kathryn Moore (Vice President of HR Business Partner & Global Rewards, Motorola Solutions) and Pamela Sharar-Stoppel (President & CEO, Wheaton Bank & Trust Company).

“The Board of Directors is excited to have April join us on our journey to end homelessness in DuPage County. DuPagePads has grown to be a solid, well-respected agency committed to its mission and focused on providing the support and services necessary to battle homelessness in DuPage County. April’s experiences, vision, and compassion resonated with the Search Committee and aligned with our mission and values. We believe that she is the right leader to move us forward and help the agency continue to grow and succeed.”

-Vickie Tabber, DuPagePads Board Chair

Redzic succeeds Carol Simler whose 23-year tenure elevated DuPagePads from providing seasonal shelter only to providing interim housing 365 nights a year, and from just managing homelessness to building an integrated model and system to end homelessness. DuPagePads has become an award-winning agency and flagship human service organization offering housing, coupled with support services and employment, for the citizens of DuPage County and addressing the changing needs of the homeless population countywide.

“April Redzic is a leader to watch. When I think of partnerships and collaboration, April is the leader that comes to mind. As her career has unfolded the past decade, she’s made relational and business decisions that have significantly grown the organizations she serves. She has been selective in her career search and DuPagePads will benefit immensely from the housing/homelessness thread of her life.”

-Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO

DuPagePads began providing meals and shelter at its first location in Downers Grove in 1985. Today, in addition to providing interim housing 365 days a year, DuPagePads’ team of nearly 50 employees and a volunteer base over 4000-strong provides long-term solutions to homelessness through housing assistance, supportive housing, street outreach, employment coaching and solutions, short-term medical respite housing, and supportive programs and services. For more information, please visit

KEES is a retained executive search firm that builds transformational nonprofit teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES provides a variety of services in addition to executive search, including leadership development, succession planning, interim staffing, event planning and human resources consulting. To find out how KEES can help YOU, please reach out to us directly at 888-687-3186 or inquiries@kees2success.com.