Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL), a non-profit organization in Oakland, CA that partners with local school districts, ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential as engaged learners, critical thinkers, and capable civic advocates, has promoted Mya Whitaker to Executive Director. Whitaker’s appointment was the outcome of a comprehensive executive search.

Providing strategic oversight to BAUDL and overall executive leadership, Whitaker assumed her new role on September 6, 2022.

For the past 6 years, Whitaker has served as BAUDL’s Program Director, promoted from her previous role as the organization’s Junior Program Director. Working with BAUDL for the last 13 years, Whitaker also brings a unique history to the organization as she was the first BAUDL League Champion as a high school student. Forming genuine and lasting relationships with students, partners, staff, and Board has been key to Whitaker’s career success. In addition to her work experience, Mya’s personal commitment to BAUDL’s mission will continue to be an additional driving force of success in her new role.

“As a BAUDL alumna, I know firsthand, how influential and impactful debate can be,” said Whitaker. “After seeing many of my peers succumb to violence as a way of life, I was determined that this would not be my destiny. I am committed to seek and employ methods to prevent this violence and encourage youth through a conduit of social change and, as Executive Director, am thrilled to be leading and empowering our community to be successful through debate.”

Whitaker holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from San Francisco State University and is additionally an Emerge California leadership program alumna.

“Mya embodies BAUDL’s focus on helping youth succeed beyond societal expectations,” said Darin Snyder, BAUDL Board Chair and Partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP. “The Board was looking for an experienced professional with a deep belief in our mission; someone with proven, robust appreciation for the power of debate to change lives. We are delighted to promote Mya to the role of Executive Director and know she will continue to make a positive impact on BAUDL’s ability to fulfill its mission.”

BAUDL retained KEES, a national executive search firm for nonprofits, as its executive search partner earlier in 2022, launching a comprehensive search. Whitaker was selected from a talented pool of top finalists. Leading the search efforts were Board Chair Darin Snyder, Search Committee Chair Michael Burshteyn, and Search Committee members Ben Crosson, Stephanie Eisenberg Todd, Kina Mandelbrot, and Craig Wickersham.

“Mya’s passion for debate, combined with her personal interest in and commitment to Bay area youth, is a winning combination for the BAUDL community,” said Laura Weinman, KEES Vice President. “The entire KEES team congratulates BAUDL and looks forward to seeing the continued positive change for California students to reach their full potential in their chosen future path.”

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. KEES has partnered with several Debate Leagues across the country on a number of searches for Director of Development and Executive Director roles. 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 BAY AREA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE

BAUDL serves students who attend resource challenged high schools and middle schools in Oakland, San Francisco, Richmond, and Emeryville, CA. BAUDL helps grow debate programs by working with teacher-coaches to develop a curriculum for their classes and after school practices. BAUDL facilitates student participation in debate competition by annually hosting 10 local debate tournaments for all BAUDL students and supporting a select group of the most committed students to travel across the country to national debate tournaments. Learn more at www.baudl.org.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com

BAUDL MEDIA CONTACT:

Mya Whitaker, 510-815-9441, mwhitaker@baudl.org

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been retained to find the next Executive Director for Chicago Debates. Chicago Debates focuses on advancing the educational achievement, community contributions, and life success of Chicago’s youth through the transformative power of academic debate. KEES Vice President Laura Weinman and Consultant Stacy Harker will lead the search following the successful tenure of the organization’s current leader, Dr. Toinette Gunn.

This partnership builds upon KEES’ history and expanding relationships with individual Leagues across the Urban Debate network, as well as with the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. KEES has frequently been retained to provide Executive Search, Consulting, Event Planning, and Interim Staffing services within the Debate League community.

In addition to placing Dr. Toinette Gunn in 2018, KEES’ most recent Chicago Debates placement is Marissa Barnes as Director of Development. Barnes’s focus and commitment to providing access and opportunities to Chicago’s youth will further help Chicago Debates bridge the educational opportunity gap for Chicago Public School students. 

The Chicago Debates Board of Directors selected KEES after previously working together on several successful projects, both search and consulting. “We were looking for someone that had an in-depth understanding and experience with debate placements,” said David Nadig, Board Chair and Senior Counsel with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. “The KEES team and their excellence in executive search stood out because they were familiar with our mission, provide outstanding service, and are dedicated to the debate movement. We are thrilled to have selected KEES and look forward to this renewed partnership as we search for our next Executive Director.”

As a premier executive search firm, KEES specializes in executive searches for top executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles and has a long history of placing accomplished executives within the Chicago metropolitan area and in the state of Illinois. 

“We are thrilled to have been selected to continue driving forward the missions of Chicago Debates, a leader in the national Urban Debate network,” said Laura Weinman. “We congratulate Dr. Toinette Gunn on her impactful tenure and look forward to beginning the search process for the next leader.” 

Confidential inquiries, candidate recommendations, and questions concerning this upcoming Executive Director search may be addressed to inquiries@kees2success.com. 

About KEES 

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a non-profit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the non-profit 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 HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com. 

About Chicago Debates   

Chicago Debates envisions a world in which Chicago youth are empowered to find their voice, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community. Since its inception in 1995, Chicago Debates’ Chicago Public Schools partnership has grown from an initial five high schools on the south side to over 90 middle and high schools throughout the city. Chicago Debates has become one of the most competitive policy urban debate leagues in the country, and a national model for other urban leagues. We envision a world in which Chicago youth are empowered to find their voice, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community. For more information, visit www.chicagodebates.org.  

KEES MEDIA CONTACT: 

Jamie Sheffler 

jsheffler@kees2success.com  

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been retained to find the next Executive Director for Storycatchers Theatre. A non-profit youth empowerment organization in Chicago, Storycatchers Theatre guides young people impacted by the juvenile justice system to transform their traumatic experiences into powerful musical theatre, developing the courage and vision to become leaders and mentors.

This partnership adds Storycatchers Theatre to KEES’ long list of youth-focused/youth empowerment organizations. Leading the search efforts will be KEES CEO and President Heather Eddy and KEES Project Manager Abby Johnson.

The Search Committee ultimately selected KEES after reviewing competitive bids and assessing organizational needs. “We are thrilled to have selected KEES to manage and lead our search process,” said Kendra Freeman, Storycatchers Theatre Board Chair and Metropolitan Planning Council Vice President. “KEES was the best choice to serve as our search partner because of their extensive experience and commitment to building strong teams with stellar talent in the nonprofit sector.” We are thankful for the 6+ years of leadership from Executive Director Priya Shah and her guidance during our overall leadership transitions.”

As a leading nonprofit executive search firm in Chicago, KEES is excited to begin work at this pivotal time in Storycatchers Theatre history. The program helps inspire the future for youth and young adults in the criminal justice system by readying them for positive, meaningful change. 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 by founder Meade Palidofsky nearly 40 years ago. Our team is thankful to Storycatchers Theatre for their partnership.”

Further details regarding the Executive Director opportunity will be released soon. Candidates interested in this role should contact inquiries@kees2success.com for more information.

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 non-profit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

Western Arts Alliance (WAA), a Portland, Oregon based membership association of touring and performing arts professionals engaged in promoting and presenting performing arts throughout the western states and provinces, has named Joshua Heim as its next Executive Director. Heim, a dedicated arts leader focused on areas of advocacy, cultural planning, racial equity, and social justice, joins WAA beginning September 19, 2022, following accomplished leader Tim Wilson, who is departing in September after 25 remarkable years leading the organization.

In his role as WAA’s Executive Director, Heim will continue to help shape arts programming presented in the region, and create vision and strategy for the sector to identify and navigate current challenges and find solutions which inspire lasting change.

“My entire professional career has been based around furthering the arts because I believe culture is the original basic need,” said Heim. “We cannot live without shared identity and meaning, and I consider it a privilege to have a career helping people and communities make connections and use creative expression to become better versions of themselves. I am honored and humbled to lead WAA into its next phase, and I know the mission of WAA is one I can fully support and grow.”

Prior to joining WAA, Heim served as Deputy Director at 4Culture, a cultural funding agency for King County Washington, overseeing a portfolio of grant funding and technical assistance programs that invests $10 million annually. At 4Culture, Heim focused on working with program managers to shift programs toward greater equity, centering people and communities of color who have been historically underserved by traditional arts philanthropy. Joshua also helped to lead an impactful COVID-19 response that included distributing over $12 million of federal disaster relief to cultural organizations and individual cultural workers.

Previously, Heim served as the Arts Program Manager and Diversity Liaison for the City of Bellevue, WA, following four years as Cultural Arts Administrator for the city of Redmond, WA.

“Josh’s vision and experience, paired with his proven ability to align culture and community development in complex organizations and ecosystems, makes him a perfect fit for WAA at this critical time of change and growth,” said WAA Board President and Edmonds Center for the Arts Founding Executive Director, Joe McIalwain. “We are overjoyed to have Josh leading WAA into this new phase, and we would like to thank KEES for skillfully guiding our committee through an extensive search process that produced an extremely talented, diverse, and competitive pool of final candidates.”

Heim holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington in Bothell, WA and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. Additionally, Heim holds an International Development Policy and Management Graduate Certificate from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. He is originally from Hawaii, where he worked for a short time as a professional hula dancer.

Leading the search efforts were Board President and Search Committee Chair Joe McIalwain and Search Committee members Aisha Ahmad-Post, Gail Boyd, Joseph Copley, Antonio Gómez, Pamela Green, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Nadhi Thekkek, Cathy Weiss, and Marty Wollesen. This was the first search partnership for KEES and WAA, following a competitive consultant selection process. The comprehensive search attracted candidates from across the nation.

“The future holds endless opportunities for the WAA community, and we are thrilled to have led this search,” said Laura Weinman, KEES Vice President. “KEES strives to help build strong nonprofit teams and leaders through executive partnerships and working with WAA over the last several months has been a joy. Josh is a true leadership match, and we proudly congratulate Josh and the entire WAA team on this appointment.”

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 WESTERN ARTS ALLIANCE

WAA is recognized by its peers as a leader in promoting social equity in the arts profession, and commitment to equity is a vital part of its mission and values. WAA’s pacesetting leadership fosters professional development, mentoring, networking, and recognition through its comprehensive slate of programs. WAA’s signature annual conference provides opportunities to spark industry connections, discover and learn, strengthen ties, and generate business opportunities. For more information, please visit https://www.westarts.org.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

WAA MEDIA CONTACT:

Lucy Taylor

ltaylor@westarts.org

KEES selected to expand partnership with North Park University, Chicago’s city-centered Christian University.

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been exclusively retained as the search partner of choice for North Park University’s Director of Finance opportunity and has additionally been selected to assist with the Assistant Director for Facilities search. Leading the search efforts are KEES Vice President Laura Weinman and KEES Consultant Stacy Harker.

KEES builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders to help further client missions and bring success to the organizations served. In addition to executive leadership staff search needs, similar to the current Director and Assistant Director opportunities with North Park University, KEES also specializes in helping organizations with their top level leadership search needs such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles.

“KEES has a successful history with North Park University,” said Scott Stenmark, North Park University’s Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. “When looking for an executive search firm, we reached out to KEES. KEES has provided both Search Assistance work and Specialty and Interim Staffing services for us before, which have been extremely beneficial to North Park in helping to further our important mission. We look forward to this expanded partnership and are thrilled to select KEES for our upcoming search needs.”

Additional details regarding the Director of Finance and Assistant Director for Facilities opportunities will be available soon. Confidential inquiries and questions concerning these searches may be addressed to Stacy Harker at sharker@kees2success.com.

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 entity 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.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY MEDIA CONTACT:

Mara Perlow

mperlow@northpark.edu

Curt’s Café proudly announces Malik Kemokai as its next Executive Director following a comprehensive, national search undertaken with the assistance of KEES. Malik has a deep-seated passion for, and history of, changing the individual lives of young adults in at-risk situations. Effective August 1, 2022, he will engage both community members and students to drive the organization’s vision forward through its next phase of growth.

Malik Kemokai emigrated to the United States in 1976 at the age of seven. Years later, after receiving a degree in food and beverage management, he ended up in Evanston and managed several well-known restaurants, including The Stained Glass Bistro, The Cellar, and a few Peet’s Coffee and Tea locations. While working, he returned to school and with the assistance of mentors, pivoted to a career focused on workforce development in the nonprofit sector.

Most recently, Malik served as the Director of Workforce Development Strategies and Operations at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. There, Malik led the Chicago’s Community Kitchens project, a 14-week job training program for unemployed and underemployed adults. During his tenure, Malik transformed the program into a comprehensive workforce development curriculum with wraparound services and Individualized Education Plans to ensure success after leaving the program. Previously, Malik served in both fundraising and program leadership roles at Howard Area Community Center in Chicago, an organization that empowers individuals, enabling their independence and offering enhanced opportunities.

“The mission of Curt’s Café resonates deeply with me because it aligns with the mission and vision I have worked to advance for the last decade.” said Malik. “I have a core personal commitment to developing programs and supports which uplift and release the true potential of youth participants. Curt’s Café has an enviable track record of doing so much, so successfully, for so many in that regard.  I look forward to bringing my experience and holistic approach to help continue that success and lead Curt’s Café into its next phase of growth, ensuring youth and young adults have every possible chance at bright futures.  And, as an added bonus, I know that my young son will be thrilled with my joining Curt’s Café; we have enjoyed many weekend meals at Curt’s and it is one of his favorite places.”

As a Certified Nonprofit Professional, Malik holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration degree from North Park University, as well as separate Masters Certificates in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising Management, and Organizational Development. He is currently also pursuing a Certified Workforce Development Professional credential.

Curt’s Café Board Members leading the search efforts included Board President Rick Marsh and Rich Amend, Dr. Audrey French, David Graham, Tanya Jenkins, and Dana Pearl. Malik becomes Curt’s Café’s second Executive Director following the start-up and success of founder Susan Garcia Trieschmann.

“We were seeking a mission focused, passionate, creative, and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead us following the exemplary leadership of our organization’s founder. We are thrilled to have selected Malik,” said Curt’s Café Board President Rick Marsh. “Malik has a passion for truly making a positive difference in people’s lives and his experience working within the governing principles of trauma informed care (TIC), Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI), and restorative practices, make him a great fit to lead Curt’s Café into this next stage of growth. We are thankful for KEES and their expertise during this search.”

Curt’s Café Board of Directors retained KEES in 2022, and a comprehensive, national search was launched, attracting many uniquely qualified and diverse candidates. The Board of Directors ultimately selected Malik from a strong group of finalists.

“From our very first interactions about this role, we knew his experience and impressive skillset stood out. Curt’s Café is all about relationships and collaboration, and Malik has built a successful career on these principles,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “We congratulate Malik, the Board, and the entire Curt’s Café team and are excited to see what is ahead for the young men and women served.”

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a non-profit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the non-profit 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 HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

Curt’s Café, established in 2012 operates through two cafés (Evanston and Highland Park, Illinois), Curt’s is a workforce education program, providing life skills training, extensive wraparound social services, and job training and placement to young men and women, ages 15 to 24, from Evanston, Lake County, and the Greater Chicagoland. Many students are housing or food insecure, single parents, and/or have had contact with the judicial system, and are often referred from local high schools, social service agencies, or other nonprofits.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com

CURT’S CAFÉ MEDIA CONTACT:

Tami Manton, tami@curtscafe.org

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been retained to find the next Executive Director for Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center (CCLC), following the retirement of current Executive Director Lois Scott. This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President and CEO, and Abby Johnson, Project Manager of KEES.

Organized as a ministry of LaSalle Street Church in Chicago, managed by Childtime, accredited by NAEYC, and serving the Near North neighborhood and the wider Chicago area, CCLC achieves its vision by providing the highest quality affordable education and care, by reaching out to a diverse community, and by partnering with and supporting families and teachers because they are called to be an expression of God’s kingdom in Cornerstone Center.

“KEES came highly recommended from colleagues within the Chicago area and has provided such a positive inspiration as we begin our upcoming leadership transition,” said Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center Board President Dale Branda. “We were looking for an organization that aligned with our interests and shared similar values. The KEES team took initiative to learn our priorities, needs, and requests. We look forward to partnering with KEES as we seek our next leader following the upcoming retirement of Lois Scott.”

KEES dedicates its time to recruiting leaders for nonprofit and public sector organizations across the country. KEES’ work helps ensure that missions are fulfilled, visions are achieved, leaders can succeed, and that clients are able to change the world through the meaningful missions they serve, especially in supporting high-quality education and care to all children, as with the missions of Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center.

“The KEES team is honored to have been selected to lead this important search,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “It is an honor that a past candidate in another project (who was not selected) thought so highly of our process to refer us. We look forward to working with the Board to ensure the next Executive Director continues with the same purpose – that every child is lavished with love and acceptance at the Center as they grow in the social, emotional, and problem-solving skills that will give them a strong foundation.”

Further details regarding the Executive Director Opportunity will be available soon. Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be addressed directly to Abby Johnson at abby@kees2success.com.

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 entity 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.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

The Rainbow Council, Boy Scouts of America team, headquartered in Lockport, Illinois, has selected Peter Durkin as Director of Development. Durkin will be responsible for spearheading the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan that will raise the standard of the Council and ensure long-term sustainability and support for the organization’s vital mission. Durkin assumes the role beginning July 1, 2022.

Durkin most recently served as the Director of Alumni Relations for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, a leader in Catholic education since 1929 and his alma mater. As a director, Durkin focused on engaging, stewarding, and soliciting a portfolio of recent graduates through a variety of methods including organizing reunions and satellite alumni events, individual and corporate fundraising, and collaborating with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement on his portfolio.

“We were looking for a successful candidate who would be adept at both “big picture” strategic development and successfully be able to implement and fulfill plans to meet our goals and mission,” said Ted Karns, Scout Executive. “Peter’s passion for serving youth and education focused missions, paired with his excellent communication and development skills, were the winning combination we were looking to find with this role. I am proud to welcome Peter to our team.”

Prior to his time in development, Durkin served in a variety of public sector and government positions, including administrative support for Governor Pat Quinn, where he grew his knowledge in the areas of finance, project management, relationship management, and customer service. Additionally, Durkin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University.

“As a father of two young boys, I am committed to serving in an organization that is actively working to make the world a better place for young people,” said Peter. “Having served in an alumni focused position, I am passionate about connecting individuals with organizations that have had a profound and long-lasting impact on their lives and I am excited about the opportunity to do the same for Rainbow Council.”  

Rainbow Council Board Members, including Jim Solari and Keith Dobrolinsky, shepherded the hiring process beginning in the Spring of 2022. KEES previously worked with the Board on a successful Boy Scouts of America project, and Rainbow Council competitively selected KEES again, as their executive search partner for this role.

“KEES was delighted to be selected as the search partner of choice for the Rainbow Council team and continue our partnership,” said Laura Weinman, Vice President of KEES. “It was a pleasure working with the team and we would like to congratulate Peter on his appointment to Director of Development. The future holds endless opportunities to help create the next generation of leaders.”

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 RAINBOW COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Rainbow Council is one of 13 Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils in the state of Illinois, serving more than 2,500 youth and involving 1,200 volunteers in Will, Kankakee and Grundy counties each year. Located in the old City Hall building, the Rainbow Council service center sits in the heart of Lockport, IL where the Council hopes to become an increasingly visible center in the community and a recognized leader of Scouting in the region. The Council also owns and operates a 740-acre camp located in Morris, Illinois. To learn more about the Rainbow Council, please visit http://www.rainbowcouncil.org.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

RAINBOW COUNCIL, BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA MEDIA CONTACT:

Ted Karns

ted.karns@scouting.org

KEES/Alford Executive Search, a leading nonprofit Executive Search firm, has been exclusively retained by Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, Michigan, to lead its search for a newly configured role of Director of Development. Fernwood is a special place, open to the community all year long, where people, plants, and nature come together and includes an arboretum, botanical garden, and nature preserve. Leading the search are KEES CEO and President Heather Eddy and Consultant Stacy Harker.

KEES holds high standards as an industry leader in Development and Fundraising roles. With more than 23 years of experience in nonprofit Executive Search and hundreds of successful past and current client partnerships, KEES continues to have a strong track record placing, creating, and supporting development roles nationwide. KEES predecessor firm started as mostly doing fundraising searches. Today, KEES has a diverse portfolio of clients and searches, with a focus on CEO/ED and fundraising searches in multiple sectors. 

“KEES is a national boutique firm and provides a personalized touch to meet our specific needs,” said Carol Line, Fernwood’s Executive Director. “KEES was recommended to us by a Fernwood board member who had interactions with the firm in another local project. As an industry leader, the KEES team understands our goals, and we are energized by what is to come.”

More information regarding the Director of Development opportunity will be released soon as the comprehensive regional search begins. Please contact inquiries@kees2success.com for more information or for candidate referrals.

About KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a non-profit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the non-profit 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 HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler

jsheffler@kees2success.com

Youth Job Center (YJC), a leading youth workforce agency in Cook County, Illinois, has selected Lucretzia Jamison as its next Executive Director. Assuming her new role in May 2022, Jamison will be responsible for providing overall executive leadership and management of YJC’s day-to-day activities and partnering with the Board to ensure ongoing strategic growth. Jamison will succeed Karen Tollenaar Demorest, who is departing in June after eight successful years leading the organization.

Jamison brings a 22-year career in nonprofits, government, and higher education. Her life’s passion has been centered on youth and young adults in workforce focused missions. Currently serving as the Dean of the Dawson Technical Institute (DTI), part of Kennedy King College, City Colleges of Chicago, Jamison is responsible for a team of over forty, a budget of $4.2M, and annually impacts over 1,000 students and residents. The programming of training, community education, and grant initiatives serves individuals in the Bronzeville, Englewood, Woodlawn, and surrounding communities. DTI is an academic center for Construction Technology and is nationally recognized for top quality job training location for the construction industry and its career development programs. An integral part of Jamison’s role at DTI is to ensure that students who have never been exposed to the Construction Industry, learn the industry, and gain skills in this steady, high-paying career field.

“We were seeking a strategic, visionary executive, and confident decision-maker to lead YJC through its next phase of growth and development. The Board of Directors unanimously selected Lucretzia after a rigorous vetting and decision-making process. She brought complementary experience to YJC’s past and will swiftly lead us forward in to the future and future opportunities to continue our impact for youth and young people,” said Board Search Committee Chair Doug Oettinger.

A Search Committee comprised of YJC Board Members, including Frank Adams (Crate and Barrel), Mary Dolan (Pro-Am Team Sports), Louis English (Robert W. Baird), Sergio Hernandez, Jr. (Illinois State Board of Education), Doug Oettinger (ZS Associates and Search Committee Chair), Jess Ticus (Consult HLT and YJC Board Chair), and Ericka Wrencher (Northwestern University) who shepherded the process since Fall of 2021. KEES worked with the Board and a 2012 Search Committee to hire Demorest. The search committee competitively selected KEES, again, as their partner in Fall 2021.

In previous positions, Jamison provided extensive managerial leadership and experienced success implementing and monitoring volunteer, academic, vocational, and employment programs. Prior to her role at DTI, Jamison served as the Executive Director (Chicago Campus) for the Center for Employment Training, an accredited Title IV institution for adult vocational and workforce training. Jamison additionally worked as the Director of Workforce Funding for the City of Chicago (DFSS), where she had hands on experience evaluating programs and distributing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to underserved communities and trained agencies to successfully comply with grant requirements. She began her career at Junior Achievement of Chicago, a youth organization that inspires and prepares young people to succeed. Alongside the noted professional accomplishments Lucrezia brings to the role, she is an active and involved member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., an avid traveler, and a superhero of a mother to her son, where she is often called to play superheroes and Space Jam.

Jamison said of her appointment to the position, “I am honored and humbled to have been selected as the next Executive Director of Youth Job Center. The mission of YJC resonates with my life-long passion for helping young people navigate their pathway in life. I look forward to working alongside the Board to ensure our youth can lead positive and self-fulfilling careers, with long-term outcomes that benefit both families and communities.”

“The entirety of Lucretzia’s professional experience has been in roles that help young people succeed. Her career is a true reflection of her dedication, determination, and commitment to helping youth and young adults find pathways to their future with equitable living wages,” said KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy. “We congratulate the entire YJC community and proud to be selected, again, as the search partner when Karen announced her transition plans.”

Youth Job Center Board Chair, Jessica (Jess) Ticus will guide the transition from Demorest to Jamison this summer. Ticus commented, “Lucretzia brings a great background in workforce development, strong financial management, fundraising experience, and a warm and inviting personality. The Board and staff are very excited to welcome her, and we look forward to bringing job skills and employment opportunities to young people throughout the Chicago area.”

Jamison holds a Master’s in Business Administration from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Northern Illinois University. Additionally, she has a Customer Experience Management certification from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.

ABOUT KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in 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. To learn more about KEES, visit https://kees2success.com.

ABOUT YOUTH JOB CENTER

Youth Job Center (YJC) has been a leading provider of employment-related and career-building services for Evanston and Chicago youth experiencing barriers to successful job placement and rewarding careers for 39 years. YJC’s mission is, “Success for young people in the workplace and in life.” YJC envisions a future where all young people have the support to build a meaningful career and share widely their skills and potential. 

YJC programs serve youth and young adults beginning at age 14 and serving up to age 25. YJC works with young people to support them onto a path to a career. We begin by identifying individual needs and areas of interest, career planning, goal setting, barrier reduction and connection to training programs and employment that will lead to meaningful and living wage careers for our young people.

To learn more about Youth Job Center, please visit  https://youthjobcenter.org/

KEES MEDIA CONTACT

Jamie Sheffler jsheffler@kees2success.com

YOUTH JOB CENTER MEDIA CONTACT

Amanda Marks amarks@youthjobcenter.org