Envision Unlimited, one of Illinois’ most prominent providers of programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness, has selected seasoned financial management executive Bishal Maskey to fill the upcoming vacancy of its retiring Chief Financial Officer, Don Kraska.  

Maskey has more than two decades of financial management experience in strategic and operational leadership with large nonprofit organizations. During his 24 years with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), he advanced into progressively challenging roles and led the financial management team during the organization’s most recent restructuring.

“Bishal brings strategic thinking and a partnership mentality to this role,” observed Envision CEO Mark McHugh. “By all accounts, he achieves organizational goals by obtaining buy-in from stakeholders. In the nonprofit world, that is critical.”

“I enjoy aligning financial planning with the organization’s strategic priorities and operational outcomes,” Maskey said, noting that it generally leads to positive social impacts. “Transparency and accountability are extremely important to me, and so are achieving results through compassion and care,” he added.

Maskey immigrated to the United States from Nepal at the age of 20. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in accounting and business management from the University of Maine and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

“His knowledge, experience, and especially passion for the mission will serve our organization well.” said McHugh.

Envision Unlimited retained KEES as its executive search partner earlier this year. They helped Envision leadership find a uniquely qualified candidate for the position who could best lead the organization’s quest to fulfill its long-term goals.

Maskey started in July.

KEES President and CEO, Heather Eddy, commented, “Bishal brought the perfect blend of experience, expertise and commitment to excellence that Envision Unlimited needs as we enter the post pandemic working environment. He will be an excellent leader as Mr. Kraska retires.”

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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 ENVISION UNLIMITED

Envision Unlimited is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that has provided quality programs and services to promote choice, independence, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness for more than 70 years. The organization offers day programs, community living services, employment services, a foster care program, and mental health services for 3,000 individuals in Illinois of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The organization fosters resilience and empowerment by creating community spirit and encouraging volunteerism. To learn more about Envision Unlimited, please visit https://envisionunlimited.org/

KEES MEDIA CONTACT

Jamie Sheffler – jsheffler@kees2success.com

ENVISION UNLIMITED MEDIA CONTACT

Patricia Arnold – parnold@envisionunlimited.org

Paul Luu, Chief Executive Officer of the Chinese American Service League, announces the hire of Brandi Adams as CASL’s next Director of Development and Communications. 

For more than 40 years, The Chinese American Service League’s comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals in the Chicago Chinese community and beyond with the vital support they need; providing an educational and cultural foundation for children, ensuring seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow’s workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing community housing and financial well-being, and providing all with equal access to justice.

Brandi Adams has spent the last 5 years of her career as a leader in the nonprofit human services sector at the Lake Area United Way in Indiana.  She holds previous experience in healthcare philanthropy and at an association management firm.   

“I felt a strong pull to the work that CASL is doing in the local community.  The mission resonates with me because I believe everyone, despite your zip code, should have the opportunity to create a path to a better future.  Providing immediate support for the current needs, while teaching the building blocks for a secure future, is such important work in building strong, thriving communities.  Helping neighbors reach their full potential and be the best versions of themselves in their health, education, careers, and households is a passion of mine, and I believe will serve me well in this role.”

CASL retained KEES as its executive search partner in the spring of 2021. A comprehensive search was launched, attracting a number of qualified candidates. Brandi Adams was ultimately selected from an exemplary group of top finalists.

Paul Luu, Chief Executive Officer for CASL, comments, “Brandi brings commitment to CASL’s mission and a proven track record of working with donors on their personal philanthropic goals.  She will be a great addition to CASL’s leadership team.  The Board of Directors and I look forward to introducing her to the greater CASL family.”

“CASL is a community treasure, bringing comfort, security, and meaning to so many lives.  We are grateful that Brandi shares KEES’ commitment to helping CASL achieve and deliver its vital mission”, says Laura Weinman, Vice President and trusted advisor to CASL in this search and other projects.

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that buildsdiverse 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 HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

Since its founding, the Chinese American Service League’s comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals in the Chicago Chinese community and beyond with the vital support they need with programs focused on:

• Children and Youth Development
• Senior Wellness and Independence
• Employment and Financial Empowerment
• Community and Family Well-Being
• Legal Services

Forty-eight percent of the households CASL serves are multigenerational, and the agency is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of entire families and the community at large.

To learn more about the Chinese American Service League, please visit www.caslservice.org

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler – jsheffler@kees2success.com

KEES celebrates King County Housing Authority (KCHA), the largest affordable housing provider in the Pacific Northwest, as it announces its first-ever hire for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.  

Scarleth Lever Ortiz, Urban Planner and Public Policy professional, will bring the wealth of her experience and expertise to the newly created role of Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) at KCHA. Lever Ortiz comes to KCHA from the Chicago Housing Authority, where, as the 2014 Founding Director of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, she established a wide range of programs and activities aimed to increase cultural competency, collaboration, and access – particularly among hard-to-reach-populations. As CHA’s first Racial Equity Liaison to the City of Chicago’s Racial Equity Core Team, Lever Ortiz provided agency-wide training opportunities to build core competencies within the context of housing on concepts of racial and social equity, which included but were not limited to facilitating candid conversations aimed at building racial healing. 

“As we continue to heal from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during a time of racial reckoning, I could not have asked for a better opportunity to continue the quest for racial justice than by joining KCHA. I am particularly excited about serving alongside my new colleagues who are known as national trailblazers in the EDI field.”

-Scarleth Lever Ortiz 

Lever Ortiz joined CHA from the city of Chicago’s First Ward Office where she served as Aldermanic Aide and Director of Legislative Affairs. She is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico City who earned a BA in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota and a MA in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She will be relocating to the Pacific Northwest with her husband and rescue dog. King County Housing Authority retained KEES as its executive search partner in 2002 for multiple roles. Lever was chosen as the leader with the most experience among national candidates with expertise in Public Housing as well as general EDI leadership.

“Scarleth is a dynamic, experienced leader and we are thrilled to welcome her to KCHA. She joins us after more than a decade working with low-income housing and social impact programs and brings to our team a deep level of experience in addressing issues of racial equity and justice. She will help link and amplify efforts currently underway and move us to the next level on our journey as an anti-racist organization.”

-Stephen Norman, Executive Director, King County Housing Authority

“From our first interaction, Scarleth stood out. She came from within the public housing sector, is a community leader on boards, coalitions, and groups, and is a respected voice in public forums. Stephen Norman and KCHAs REDI team tasked KEES with finding the best of the best, and that clearly is Scarleth. Her hire enhances not only the whole of King County, but the voice for EDI principles throughout public housing authorities everywhere. Dynamic and diverse, yes, that is Scarleth!”

– Heather Eddy, President and CEO, KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and 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.

King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal corporation established under Washington state law, assists about 22,500 households in the Seattle metropolitan region on a daily basis. The Authority administers rental housing assistance, develops and manages affordable housing and works closely with community stakeholders to address local priorities such as ending homelessness, improving educational outcomes for the region’s low-income youth and assuring that disabled and elderly households can live with dignity. 

KEES MEDIA CONTACT

Jamie Sheffler – jsheffler@kees2success.com

Barbara Lacker-Ware has been selected as Woodstock Institute’s Director of Development and will begin her new role on July 1, 2021. Based in Chicago, the organization was founded in 1973. Woodstock Institute initially focused on conducting research, training, and education about public and private policy alternatives that would diminish discriminatory housing and investment patterns in the Chicago metropolitan area.  

Woodstock Institute’s current mission is to “create a just financial system in which lower-wealth persons and communities and people and communities of color can achieve economic security and community prosperity.” Their team is working to create an economy where everyone has access to the resources and the financial services they need to flourish and succeed, both locally and nationally. 

Core to Barbara’s value system is Woodstock Institute’s focus on economic security and racial equity, which have been a constant thread through her career to date including her most recent role at La Casa Norte. She has also served as a grant writer for organizations such as St. Ann’s Community, Take Back the Land, Young Women’s College Prep Charter School, and YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County (NY). 

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and 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 supported this role through our Search Assistance service and was delighted to be Woodstock Institute’s partner of choice. 

To learn more about KEES, visit us at www.kees2success.com.

To learn more about Woodstock Institute, visit at www.woodstockinst.org.

Heifer International, a global development organization that works with local communities to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way, has hired Michelle Cangelosi as its next Vice President of Transformational Philanthropy.  

For the past 17 years, Michelle Cangelosi’s career has focused on working to improve livelihoods and communities around the world. Cangelosi most recently served as Senior Director for Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, where she forged financial and programmatic partnerships to support a premier international program, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs. Cangelosi previously held executive leadership roles at Rotary International, the Peace Corps, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and WaterSHED Asia. She has a BS in Zoology and MS in Environmental Engineering Sciences, both from the University of Florida.

“My desire to help people and to make sure they have the tools and support they need to bring about change in their families and communities has shaped my personal giving and career. I have spent the majority of my professional life starting or revitalizing programs to mobilize resources in support of people around the world and am excited to be joining Heifer International to advance the important global mission of this renowned organization.”

-Michelle Cangelosi

Heifer International first retained KEES, a national executive search firm for nonprofits, as its executive search partner in June 2018. KEES has partnered with Heifer International on eight searches over the last three years, helping to build and strengthen its philanthropy team. In addition to placing Cangelosi as Vice President of Transformational Philanthropy, KEES has placed six Directors of Philanthropy and a Senior Director, Global Foundation Partnerships.

“At Heifer International, we know the transformative impact philanthropy can have as a catalyst for long-lasting change. With global hunger on the rise fueled by the global pandemic, smallholder farmers need our support, now more than ever. We’re thrilled to welcome Michelle to the team and look forward to working with her on our shared mission to end global hunger and poverty.”

-Hilary Haddigan, Chief of Mission Effectiveness, Heifer International

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that buildsdiverse teams and 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.

For 76 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 36 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For information, visit https://www.heifer.org.

The United Way of Will County has unanimously approved hiring Kamala Martinez as its next President & CEO.  

Martinez steps into the new role after three years as CEO of KidsMatter Foundation (Naperville), a community-wide organization with a prevention-focused health strategy to combat teenage destructive behaviors. She also has more than 25 years of private sector corporate experience, including serving as the Executive Director of the RR Donnelley Foundation from 2008-2017 as well as holding other positions within the Donnelley organization.

“I’ve had the privilege of being a part of some amazing organizations throughout my career. On May 17, a new chapter begins with United Way of Will County and I couldn’t be more excited! I look forward to strengthening United Way partnerships going forward for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

-Kamala Martinez

An active and engaged community leader, Martinez has served many nonprofit boards, including Vice President for the Executive Board of Directors at Naperville Cable Television 17, Indian Prairie Education Foundation Board of Directors, Hispanic Alliance for Career Achievement (HACE) Board of Trustees, and the Art Institute of Chicago’s Corporate Committee. She was the City of Naperville Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and served in several roles for Wheatland Township.

Martinez received a BA in Communications and Broadcasting from the University of Iowa. She and her family have been residents of Will County since 1996. She has been active in her church with the children’s ministry, served on the Finance Leadership Board and the PTA, and is an advocate for children’s causes and a proponent of empowering women and promoting diversity. 

Martinez replaces Mike Hennessy, who retired as President & CEO of United Way of Will County last year after 31 years of leadership. She will officially start with United Way on May 17, 2021.

“We are very proud of the great work United Way has done for generations on behalf of Will County, but we recognize that the world supports charitable giving now in significantly different ways. We needed a leader and experienced change agent who can help us function more effectively in that ‘new world’, redefine our agency and refocus our work so we can best serve our entire community. Kamala Martinez is that leader, and we are excited for the future of United Way.”

-United Way Board President Tom Hernandez

United Way of Will County’s Board of Directors retained KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) as its executive search partner in October 2020. A comprehensive search produced almost 90 highly qualified candidates with significant experience helping legacy agencies work more effectively in the more modern philanthropic world.

KEES is a nonprofit executive search firm that buildsdiverse teams and 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.

Will County, located southwest of Chicago, is Illinois’ fourth largest county (850 square miles) and home to a vibrant and diverse population that is one of the nation’s fastest growing counties. United Way of Will County partners and supports Will County’s 30+ communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change. For more information about United Way of Will County, please visit www.uwwill.org.

The Board of Directors of The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts has retained KEES, an executive search firm for nonprofits, as its partner in the search for an experienced and accomplished Executive Director.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated business acumen and a passion for the arts and embody that passion when sharing the story of The Acorn with key stakeholders. Forward-looking and innovative, this individual will bring a fresh perspective to attract new audiences with diverse offerings. With strong interpersonal and communication skills, this executive will be comfortable engaging with a variety of people. The Executive Director will leverage The Acorn’s networks and establish new partnerships to obtain support and achieve results.

For more information on the Executive Director position at The Acorn, please read the full Opportunity Guide here: http://bit.ly/Acorn-ED

The Acorn is the creative and performing arts epicenter of Harbor Country. Located in Three Oaks, Michigan, it draws audiences from Chicago, northern Indiana, and southwest Michigan. The Acorn curates, highlights, and supports local talent while also welcoming renowned performers. Every performance year is filled with a breadth of diverse programming that ensures no two events are alike. In 2021, planning is underway to offer traditional performances, when conditions are safe, and blend in new ways of promoting innovative material and arts programming. To learn more about The Acorn, please visit http://www.acornlive.org.

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders. 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.

The Board of Directors of United Way of Will County (UWWC) has retained KEES, an executive search firm for nonprofits, as its partner in the search for a new President & CEO.

United Way of Will County is seeking a visionary and strategic executive as its next President & CEO. The new executive will succeed Mike Hennessy, who recently retired after leading United Way for 31 years. The organization is poised to envision, design, and pursue a new strategic plan to ensure United Way is prepared to meet the evolving and diversified needs of Will County in dynamic and innovative ways. Working closely with and reporting to a passionate Board of Directors, the President & CEO will address both long- and short-term goals set by the Board and lead a team of four professionals. The successful candidate will be a passionate leader with demonstrated knowledge of Will County and its unique challenges and opportunities.

For more information on the President & CEO position at United Way of Will County, please read the full Opportunity Guide here: https://bit.ly/UWWC-PCEO

Will County, located southwest of Chicago, is Illinois’ fourth largest county (850 square miles) and home to a vibrant and diverse population that is one of the nation’s fastest growing counties. United Way of Will County partners Will County’s 30+ communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change. For more information, please visit www.uwwill.org.

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders. 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’ executive search client partner United Methodist Communities, which provides senior residences and healthcare at 12 different sites across New Jersey, has hired Linda Hill as its next Vice President of Philanthropy.  

Linda Hill has over 15 years of philanthropy leadership experience, predominantly in the healthcare sector. Linda joins United Methodist Communities (UMC) after five years as Executive Director of the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, which is part of Hackensack Meridian Health. Previously, Linda spent eight years in various development roles at Penn Medicine, Princeton Medical Center, and three years as Director of Development at the Stuart Country Day School of The Sacred Heart.

Prior to her development career, Linda worked as a Clinical Pharmacist before launching and leading a medical communications company, WriteChoice Inc., for 15 years. Linda holds a Pharmacy Doctorate from the University of the Sciences in Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is involved with the local Association of Fundraising Professionals and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties. She begins her new role as Vice President of Philanthropy at UMC on November 30, 2020.

“As a fundraiser, I have carefully chosen my career path to reflect organizations about which I could feel passionate because for me, that visceral connection to the organization I represent allows me to do my best work. United Methodist Communities is a marriage of career and passion for me, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the UMC team.”

-Linda Hill

United Methodist Communities leadership retained KEES as its executive search partner in July 2020. A comprehensive search was launched, and Linda Hill was ultimately selected from an impressive group of top finalists. Members of UMC’s Steering Group, including Nona Ostrove (Chair of the Board of Directors) and Grant G. Karsner (Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees), are thanked for their involvement in the process.

“Linda brings a wealth of experience to United Methodist Communities and her commitment to her field was evident from the moment we met. Linda’s passion fits perfectly with UMC’s mission driven focus. I’m looking forward to Linda becoming part of the UMC family.”

-Larry Carlson, UMC President & CEO

KEES is a nonprofit executive search firm. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES provides executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR services and support exclusively to nonprofits.

United Methodist Communities, headquartered in Neptune, NJ, is driven by principles of faith and its charitable mission to serve seniors of all faiths, backgrounds, and needs. UMC lives its mission daily: Compassionately serving in community so that all are free to choose abundant life.

Heifer International, an international development organization that works with communities to end hunger and poverty world-wide, has added Kari Hammett-Caster, Natasha Lewis-Oliver and Jaime Schilling to their philanthropy team.        

Heifer International first retained KEES as its executive search partner in June 2018. Since then, KEES has partnered with Heifer on seven executive searches, helping to build and strengthen Heifer’s philanthropy team by placing six Directors of Philanthropy covering regions across the U.S. (including the three in this hiring announcement) and one Senior Director, Global Foundation Partnerships.

“I could not have been more pleased with the caliber and variety of talent assembled by the KEES team. The newest members to the philanthropy team will allow Heifer International to connect more closely with supporters and investors in our global partnership to end hunger and alleviate poverty.”

-Stephanie Brown, Vice President of Philanthropy, Heifer International

Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities. For over 75 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Today, Heifer works in 21 countries to attain sustainable livelihoods through community-owned interventions and has provided more than 35 million families with the tools and training to lift themselves from poverty. For more information, please visit www.heifer.org.

KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services, Inc.) is an executive search firm that builds transformative nonprofit teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners exclusively with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of executive search, leadership development, interim staffing and HR services and support.