Author Archive
Center for Enriched Living Selects Herbert K. Washington, Jr. as Chief Executive Officer
Center for Enriched Living (CEL), a privately funded nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for people with developmental disabilities, has proudly announced the appointment of Herb Washington as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Assuming his new role effective November 13, 2023, Washington will help the organization build on its solid foundation and strategically move forward to empower even more members to experience life’s possibilities. Washington will succeed CEL’s current leader Harriet Levy, who is retiring after over 37 remarkable years at CEL, 20 of which she served as CEO.
Bringing over 26 years in the human services sector and 11 years of nonprofit executive leadership experience with an organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Washington is a highly motivated and results-driven executive. He holds a record of mission delivery accomplishment, strong business acumen, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Washington’s strategic thinking and tactical execution have helped him lead change, pioneer innovative solutions, and achieve success consistently over the years.
“We were seeking a passionate, strategic, and collaborative leader to help our organization grow into the future,” said Sue Bersh, CEL Board of Directors President. “Herb’s dedication to the IDD community and enthusiasm for CEL’s mission make him a perfect fit for the CEO position. We look forward to growing and flourishing with Herb at the helm. On behalf of the Board, we are thrilled to welcome Herb to the CEL community and thank the entire KEES team for their commitment and expertise throughout the succession planning process and transitionary stage.”
In his most recent role as Chief Innovation Officer for Aspire, Washington was responsible for ensuring the strategic growth and sustainability of the Community Employment/Careers program, Virtual Life Coaching, Digital Experiences (DE&I consultation and training), Clinical/Mental Health Services, Quality/Compliance, Intake/Admissions, and two social enterprises. As a member of the Vision Team (Executive Team), Washington worked to establish Aspire’s brand awareness and reputation as a leader in innovation beyond local reach to national and international markets as well as created new private revenue streams. During his tenure with Aspire, Washington has a proven track record of not only moving the needle, but also pioneering new initiatives, improving existing paradigms, inspiring new leaders, and creating dynamic partnerships while keeping a watchful eye on marketplace trends and public policy.
“CEL’s mission resonates with me as I have spent my entire career working with and on behalf of people with disabilities,” said Washington. “My energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the IDD community are sustained by a very real and deep passion for this work. I’m looking forward to advancing CEL’s mission, and I couldn’t be more confident in CEL’s future working side-by-side with their team, the Board, and the entire CEL community throughout this next phase of growth.”
CEL retained KEES, a premier executive search firm specializing in searches for top nonprofit executive roles, as its CEO search partner following Levy’s announcement of her retirement. A comprehensive search was launched, and Washington was ultimately selected by CEL Board Leaders from a passionate, diverse, and talented pool of national finalists. CEL’s search efforts were led by a Search Committee including Board President Sue Bersh (AMLI Residential), Joan Cannon (Tersera Therapeutics), Kim Cysewski (retired from Grainger), Howard Diamond (Rise Interactive), Lane Epstein (Construction Industry Consultant), Mary Greanias (Horizon Therapeutics), and Akash Pathak (Potbelly Sandwich Works).
“Herb’s vision, dedication, and passion for serving those with developmental disabilities will undoubtedly guide CEL toward new heights,” said Laura Weinman, KEES Vice President. “It has been an extraordinary opportunity to partner with an amazing CEL search committee team and lead the transition process. We are proud to have continued our relationship as CEL’s search partner and are excited about what the future holds. Congratulations to the entire CEL community on this exciting announcement!”
ABOUT CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING (CEL)
A CQL accredited nonprofit organization, CEL provides outstanding programs and services to teens, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities seven days a week in a state-of-the-art Universal Designed building in Riverwoods, IL.
Supporting hundreds of members annually, CEL members come from a variety of settings – homes, schools and area agencies throughout the Chicagoland area. CEL offers social enrichment; arts; recreation; community-based employment coaching and placement; REACH Adult Day program; Robert Vihon Family Resource Center (counseling, therapies and resources for the IDD community); Catalyst life skills program for greater independence; virtual social/recreational programs; and a teen/young adult summer camp.
For 55 years, CEL has enriched the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by maximizing their opportunities for personal success, friendship, fun, employment, and community involvement. At CEL, members are empowered to realize their greatest potential, thrive within the community, and achieve their hopes and dreams. For more information, visit www.CenterForEnrichedLiving.org.
ABOUT KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
As a premier search firm, KEES specializes in executive searches for top executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Director roles and has a successful history of placing accomplished nonprofit executives nationwide. This partnership builds upon KEES’ executive search history, commitment, and growth to building meaningful partnerships and relationships with nonprofit organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING MEDIA CONTACT:
Angela Pasyk, Angela@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com
KEES Executive Search Client Partner, Concordia Place, names Grace Araya as President and CEO
Concordia Place, a vibrant mission-driven non-profit organization providing multigenerational programs including early learning, after-school, and teen leadership for Chicago communities, is proud to announce the appointment of its new President and CEO, Grace Araya. Concordia Place was founded by Concordia Lutheran Church in Chicago and is part of the multi-pronged social ministry of Concordia Ministries. This significant milestone results from a successful national executive search partnership with executive search firm KEES. Assuming her new role effective October 20, 2023, Araya will help the organization define its future and move forward into the next decade. Araya will succeed Concordia Place’s current leader and first President and CEO, Brenda Swartz, who agreed to remain in place until the Board successfully completed the search process. Swartz departs after more than two decades with an amazing record of growth and success and will turn over an organization with established systems and proven leadership in place.
Bringing 20 years of experience in early childhood education and over 5 years of nonprofit executive leadership experience, Araya is a strategic leader and mission amplifier. Her past work has brought missional work of an organization to a larger audience and broadened connections in the community. Focused on strengthening local communities’ ability to develop and implement community-wide, collaborative strategies that improve outcomes for children and families, Araya has a growth mindset and expertise in relationship-building, visionary leadership, and organizational growth.
In her role as Vice President of Community Impact for Illinois Action for Children, Araya led the strategic vision and implementation of the agency’s family engagement, partnerships, and community systems programs to support families with young children in Illinois. Directly overseeing ten programs, 40 staff, and an annual budget of $9M, Araya actively built relationships with national, state, and city partners, philanthropic partners, and community organizations to advance the work of the organization. During her tenure, Araya was instrumental in launching the Community Systems Statewide Supports training and technical assistance (T/TA) program for local collaborators and provided leadership in building out T/TA supports for the Birth to Five Illinois regional community systems effort.
Prior to Illinois Action for Children, Grace served in the role of Program Director for Eyes on the Future, an early education program serving Chicago’s north side. During her tenure, Grace secured more than $3M in funding through competitive grant writing to deliver Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, Preschool for All, and Prevention Initiative programs and led the program in achieving NAEYC accreditation, Excelerate Gold Circle of Quality, and an Award of Excellence in Infant/Toddler Services.
Araya, a former refugee from Eritrea, grew up in a vibrant community in Chicago rooted in faith and service that inspires her drive to work and to lead with excellence. “My first job out of high school was a teacher’s assistant role in a preschool program and my first job out of college was to provide counseling to Chicago public high school students. I believe if we want to see a better tomorrow, we must invest in young children, youth, and their families,” said Araya. “I applaud the remarkable work and history of Concordia Place. Together, with the board and the entire Concordia Place team, I look forward to charting the course for the next era following the successful leadership of Brenda Swartz.”
Araya holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Art in Early Childhood Education from Roosevelt University, and a Master of Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.
“We were seeking a relational and visionary leader to continue our organization’s growth and its increased impact in the communities we serve,” said Board Chair Kimberly Boike. “Grace’s extensive experience, coupled with her historical and personal passions for our mission, will further evolve Concordia Place in creating a stronger and more dynamic future. On behalf of the Board, we would like to officially welcome Grace to the Concordia Place community and thank Brenda for her 20+ years of outstanding leadership. We extend our sincere gratitude to KEES for their exceptional partnership through the executive search process. Their dedication to finding the right leadership match has been instrumental. Thank you KEES!”
Concordia Place competitively selected and retained KEES, a premier executive search firm specializing in executive searches for top nonprofit executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles, as its executive search partner in 2023 following Swartz’s announcement of her departure. A comprehensive search was launched, and Araya was ultimately selected from a passionate, motivated, diverse, and talented pool of national finalists. Concordia Place’s search efforts were led by a Search Committee including Board Chair Kimberly Boike (Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.), Rev. Stephen Bouman (St. Luke’s Lutheran Church), Daniel R. Formeller (Tressler, LLP), Andy Waters (Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA), and Rev. Nicholas J. Zook (Concordia Lutheran Church).
“Working with the entire Search Committee has been remarkable,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “Grace brings the necessary experience to amplify and enhance the significant mission of Concordia Place. KEES is honored to have been selected as Concordia Place’s partner for this important search. Congratulations to all on this exciting announcement!”
ABOUT KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
ABOUT CONCORDIA PLACE
Inspired by faith, Concordia Place envisions bigger and better tomorrows where rich diversity strengthens learning and growth for all. Putting faith into action through service to all neighbors, Concordia Place works to instill in them a sense of community, purpose, and possibility. Rooted in the Gospel message of God’s grace for all people, faith in Christ is a lens through which to view and evaluate all actions.
With 4 locations across Chicago, Concordia Place disrupts social inequities through access to top-quality education, enrichment, and hands-on experiences that include all children, teens, and families—together. By proactively addressing key social and economic needs, Concordia Place provides services that support well-being and maximize potential, which in turn helps communities thrive and remain vibrant. To learn more about Concordia Place please visit www.concordiaplace.org.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com
CONCORDIA PLACE MEDIA CONTACT:
Katie Bernabei, kbernabei@concordiaplace.org
Learning Bridge Early Education Center selects Executive Search Firm KEES to Lead Executive Director Search
Evanston, IL based Learning Bridge Early Education Center taps KEES to help grow and develop Learning Bridge into this next phase of strategic planning as Executive Director search begins.
Executive search firm KEES has been exclusively retained by Learning Bridge Early Education Center (Learning Bridge) in its search for its next Executive Director. Under the new leadership, Learning Bridge looks forward to building on its past, strengthening mission expansion, and creating a stronger and more dynamic future for serving Evanston and the surrounding neighborhood communities. Celebrating 80 years of serving the community, Learning Bridge began as a daycare in the basement of an African American church during World War II. Located in Evanston, IL, Learning Bridge provides equitable access to high-quality early learning in a caring and safe environment so that every child thrives.
A strategic thinker with a motivation for mission expansion, the next leader will be a positive cultural influencer who leads with transparency and is ready to represent and empower the staff to create an environment of excellence. This partnership adds Learning Bridge to KEES’ long list of education and youth-focused organizations. KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy, Executive Search Manager Yoo-Jin Hong, and Project Manager Megan Taylor will lead the search.
Learning Bridge’s Board of Directors selected KEES after reviewing several competitive proposals. “Our team was impressed with the knowledge and preparedness KEES demonstrated,” said Nikki Jarvis, Search Committee Chair. “The KEES team and their excellence in executive search stood out to us because they quickly understood our needs and the mission behind our caring community. We are thrilled to be in a partnership with KEES.”
As a premier executive search firm, KEES specializes in executive searches for top nonprofit executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles. KEES has strong partnerships in the early childhood education and policy sectors and values the work of educators who work with the youngest of children. As a leading nonprofit executive search firm in Chicago, KEES is excited to begin work at this pivotal time in Learning Bridge’s history. Dating back to 1944, Learning Bridge Early Education Center has deep roots in Evanston’s preschool, community, and civic life. KEES Founder and CEO, Heather Eddy, states, “This will prove to be an incredible and rewarding Executive Director opportunity to further the important mission established nearly 80 years ago. Our team is thankful to Learning Bridge for their partnership.”
All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. If you would like to recommend someone for this role or have any questions, please email inquiries@kees2succes.com. Further details regarding the Executive Director opportunity will be released soon.
About the Partners
Learning Bridge Early Education Center
Learning Bridge Early Education Center (formerly Child Care Center of Evanston) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that began as a daycare for 3-to-5-year-old children in 1944 during World War II. Learning Bridge is licensed through the Department of Children and Family Services and accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has earned the ExceleRate’s Gold Circle of Quality. Gold Circle programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement and have met the highest quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and staff training and education. Learning Bridge is additionally a recipient of ExceleRate’s ‘Award of Excellence for Preschool Teaching and Learning’. For more information, visit www.lbeec.org.
KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and human resources support. The partnership with Learning Bridge builds upon KEES’ long list of client partners who serve and support early childhood educational impact in a multitude of ways including Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center (Chicago, IL), Educare Lincoln (Lincoln, NE), Educare West DuPage (West Chicago, IL), and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (New Orleans, LA. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler, 719-671-1129, jsheffler@kees2success.com
LEARNING BRIDGE MEDIA CONTACT:
Deb Schlies, 847-707-9004, debschlies@gmail.com
KEES Retained by Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission to Lead Executive Director Search
Executive search firm KEES has been exclusively retained by the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission (SPCSC) in its search for its next Executive Director. SPCSC was established in 2012 to increase accountability and quality within Hawaiʻi’s charter school system. Based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and reporting to the Commission, the Executive Director carries the organization’s mission to continue the transformation of Hawaiʻi’s system of charter schools. Serving thousands of children throughout the state, Hawaiʻi’s charter schools have been a source of innovation and community engagement in learning. The new Executive Director will sustain the progress made to date and help achieve new levels of success.
Leading the search will be KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy, Executive Search Manager Yoo-Jin Hong, and Project Manager Megan Taylor. Also supporting the partnership is Randy Wong, who serves as a Strategic Advisor with KEES to support projects in his areas of expertise.
As a premiere executive search firm for nonprofit organizations that also partners with public Boards, Commissions, and Associations, KEES specializes in searches for top executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles. With a long history of placing accomplished executives for over two decades, the team at KEES has been a leader in offering a proven search process with creative and unique approaches designed to fit each client partner’s needs. In recent work, KEES has partnered with the Washington State Charter School Commission, various public and charter schools, and other entities with a mission focus on education and/or early childhood education.
From early childhood education to general and specialty schools, community colleges, and four-year Universities, KEES has matched our education-focused client partners with leaders who have helped grow and shape education and systems to impact students, families, communities, and economies. Additionally, KEES has partnered on searches for clients that provide valuable mentoring, tutoring, and other support to K-12 programming.
The agency’s Commissioners awarded the Request for Proposal contract to KEES after reviewing several competitive proposals. “KEES proposal conveyed its expertise and competence. We selected them based on their responsiveness to our RFP process, their enthusiasm for SPCSC’s mission, and their search approach that tailors to each organization,” said Cathy Ikeda, Chairperson of the Commission. “The Commission is grateful for KEES’ participation in this process, and we are confident that KEES will help us identify an exceptional leader for SPCSC.”
KEES’ work helps ensure that each client partner’s missions are fulfilled and visions are achieved so that they can change the world through the meaningful missions they serve. The partnership with Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission builds upon KEES’ long list of client partners who serve and support educational impact in a multitude of ways.
“It is an honor to have been competitively selected to lead Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission into this stage of growth and transition,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “The SPCSC undertakes such important work to provide high-quality and diverse educational options for Hawaiʻi’s families, prepare students for future academic and career success, and contribute to building an equitable public education system in the state. We are thrilled to begin the partnership. The KEES team is strengthened by a local executive leader Randy Wong, who leads and partners with youth organizations that serve many students across Hawaiʻi.”
All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. If you would like to recommend someone for this role or have any questions, please email inquiries@kees2succes.com. Further details regarding the Executive Director opportunity will be released soon.
About the Partners
Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission (ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana)
The State Public Charter School Commission or “the Commission” is the State of Hawaiʻi’s statewide charter school authorizer. The mission of the Commission is “to authorize high-quality public charter schools throughout the State”. The Commission’s strategic vision for the chartering of these high-quality schools is that they provide excellent and diverse educational options for Hawaiʻi’s families, prepare students for future academic or career success, and contribute meaningfully to the continued improvement of Hawaiʻi’s public education system as a whole. The Commission has responsibility for oversight of all 37 Hawaiʻi charter schools. For more information, visit www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov.
KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and human resources support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com
HAWAIʻI STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION MEDIA CONTACT:
Sheryl Turbeville, Sheryl.Turbeville@spcsc.hawaii.gov
Cradle Kalamazoo’s search for New Executive Director
Nonprofit Executive Search Firm KEES has been exclusively retained by Cradle Kalamazoo for the Executive Director search. Cradle Kalamazoo is a collective impact Initiative that is fiscally sponsored by YWCA Kalamazoo. This role will also serve as the Vice President of Community Health (YWCA Kalamazoo).
The Board of Cradle Kalamazoo has retained KEES, an executive search firm for nonprofits, as its partner in the search for an experienced and accomplished Executive Director. The role also serves as the Vice President of Community Health for YWCA Kalamazoo.
The Executive Director of Cradle Kalamazoo provides strategic oversight and leadership in addressing the root causes of health inequities that affect infant mortality in Kalamazoo County. As the primary champion and face of the Initiative, the Executive Director will represent the tangible impact of Cradle in the community. Reporting to the YWCA CEO and the Governance Chairs of Cradle, they will build on the existing relationship and resources and strengthen the Initiative’s work, continually advocating for the purposes and goals of Cradle.
Under the Maternal Child Health strategic focus area of YWCA Kalamazoo, the Executive Director will supervise and guide a team comprised of four Coordinators (Public Health, Health Equity, Community Health, and overall Project), along with the WISH team (Women and Infant Supportive Health), with a grant-funded budget of approximately $1.2M and implement the 2023 strategic plan.
For more information on this leadership opportunity, please read the full Opportunity Guide here: https://bit.ly/ED-and-VP-Cradle-Kalamazoo-YWCA
Cradle Kalamazoo seeks an impact-driven individual, who understands the inequities and disparities that exist in public health and is driven for change, particularly for black infants and their mothers. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, possess stellar communication skills, and be able to communicate with key stakeholders and partners. They must embody a passion for the mission and be a proactive advocate for the Initiative.
This search is being managed by Randi Blasutti and Heather Eddy of KEES. Questions and confidential inquiries may be addressed directly to rblasutti@kees2success.com.
About the Partners
CRADLE KALAMAZOO
Cradle Kalamazoo (Cradle), a multi-agency community initiative housed within YWCA Kalamazoo, aims to identify, and implement evidence-based and holistic interventions in order to reduce infant death and promote respect for families, women, and their children. Operating with a Collective Impact model, Cradle conveys key partner agencies, voices, and experts, using a structured form of collaboration to improve birth outcomes. To learn more, please visit www.cradlekalamazoo.com.
KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of non-profit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and human resources support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com
CRADLE KALAMAZOO MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Grabowski, hgrabowski@ywcakalamazoo.org