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

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

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

-April Redzic

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Vickie Tabber, DuPagePads Board Chair

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

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

-Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO

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

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

The leadership at Living Care Retirement Community, a nonprofit, faith-based, non-denominational community in Yakima, WA that provides a variety of quality housing, care and services for seniors, has hired Steve George as its next Director of Facilities. 

Steve George has spent many of the past 30 years working on large residential and commercial construction and development projects in the Greater Seattle area, focusing on architectural plan drawing, blueprint reading and cost estimation. He holds several journeyman certifications, including carpentry and interior finishes, and has managed the building and renovations of large-scale projects such as 400-unit apartments and assisted living facilities.

Steve comes to Living Care from Yakima County Public Services, where he has held the role of Buildings Inspector & Plans Examiner since 2018. Previously, Steve was a Chief Estimator/Project Manager for two different contractor companies – KLHS&S Contractors and Division 9 Contractors. At both companies, Steve’s primary responsibilities included contract negotiation, cost estimating for projects, supervising large-scale construction projects, and hiring and training crews and foremen.

From 2013-2018, Steve also worked as a classroom instructor and head volleyball coach at Southwestern Oregon and Yakima Valley Colleges. Steve applies the player-coach approach he honed on the court to managing his staff—a method he believes has proven very successful. Steve officially joins the Living Care team on July 20, 2020.

“Steve has an extensive background in the commercial building and housing industries. His skills will be an asset for maintaining the many Retirement Apartments, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing beds on the Living Care campus. Steve also has a very real desire to serve others. His heart of caring for both Residents and Staff will make a positive impact at Living Care.”

-Calvin Groenenberg, Executive Director, Living Care Retirement Community

Living Care Retirement Community retained KEES as its executive search partner in April 2020, after their current Director of Facilities announced his retirement after 37 years of service. KEES has previously partnered with Living Care Retirement Community for both Executive Search and Development Assessment and Planning services.

During KEES/Alford Executive Search’s two-decade commitment to the field of senior living, the firm has supported numerous nonprofit providers across the country that are dedicated to ensuring the quality and abundance of what life has to offer after 65 years old. KEES’ executive search work in senior living has spanned the gamut from roles at the CEO/ED level to Marketing, Philanthropy, Investment, Finance, Nursing, and now Maintenance and Facilities. Recent/current KEES clients in the aging services sector include Broadmead, Canterbury Court, Covenant Living Communities & Services, Homage Senior Services, HumanGood, Panorama, and United Methodist Communities.

“Living Care Retirement Community is a shining star in senior living. We are happy to have introduced a dynamic slate of excellent candidates to leadership.”

–Laura Weinman, Vice President, KEES

Living Care Retirement Community is the only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Yakima, WA. Since its incorporation in 1958, Living Care has continued to grow and evolve within the community to accomplish the vision to be the provider of choice for aging services in Central Washington. For more information, please visit http://www.livingcarecommunity.com.

KEES is an executive search firm that builds transformative nonprofit teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners specifically with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of executive search, leadership development, interim staffing and human resources services and support.

To ask us how KEES can help YOU, fill out and submit our contact form, email inquiries@kees2success.com, or visit any individual team member’s page and hit their Email link to reach out to them directly.

The Board of Directors of Covenant Community Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides a full range of healthcare services to the people of Detroit and the broader metropolitan region, has unanimously approved the hire of Covenant team member Joslyn Pettway as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Joslyn Pettway began her career in 2008 as Director of Primary Care Initiatives at Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and served as Executive Director of the Southeast Region of the Michigan Area Health Education Center from 2011-2013 before joining the Covenant Community Care team.

Pettway started at Covenant in 2013 as a Program Director/Grant Writer before becoming Chief Program Officer in 2015 and then Chief Operating Officer in 2018. In addition to her role as COO, Pettway has also been acting Chief Executive Officer of Covenant since September 2019, when former CEO Paul Propson stepped down after 12 years of leadership.

Born and raised in Flint, MI, a large part of Pettway’s passion for working at Covenant stems from growing up in a community like those Covenant serves. She believes deeply in the mission of Covenant Community Care and is particularly fond of FQHCs because of the unique governance structure that ensures patients have a voice in their care. When Pettway isn’t actively advocating for Covenant, she is making connections through professional associations and volunteer activities. She is a member of the University of Michigan School of Public Health – Health Management & Policy Alumni Network and serves locally as a member of Triumph Church.

Pettway holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. She received her Community Health Center Executive Fellowship (CHCEF) certification from the University of Kansas, Medical Center.

“Seven years ago, I was drawn to Covenant Community Care because of its mission. The opening of our mission statement, ‘to show and share the love of God,’ serves as the foundation for all that we do at Covenant. It is the standard by which we measure our strategic decisions, operational expectations, and day-to-day interactions. It has always resonated with me that Covenant’s mission clearly defines the type of care we want to provide to those we serve, and I look forward to advancing that mission throughout our community for years to come.”

-Joslyn Pettway, CEO, Covenant Community Care

Pettway has led Covenant Community Care as acting CEO during the last few months of COVID-19, overseeing the organization’s shift in April 2020 from 100% in-person care to offering telehealth visits at all locations. Covenant began re-opening on a limited basis for in-person medical, dental, and behavioral health visits in June 2020, with new social distancing safety procedures and protocols in place. Pettway’s first 90 days as CEO will be spent evaluating and assessing the ever-evolving needs of the community during this pandemic, guiding both short-term decisions and longer-term initiatives. Covenant provides regular COVID information and updates on their website at https://covenantcommunitycare.org/covid-19-response/.

Covenant Community Care’s Board of Directors retained KEES as its executive search partner in December 2019. A comprehensive search was launched, attracting a large number of candidates from across the United States. The Search Committee, led by Board Chair Dotti Sharp, ultimately selected Joslyn Pettway from an exemplary group of top finalists.

“The search for a new CEO was a rigorous national process, and Joslyn quickly rose to the top of the pool. Her experience as a Covenant team member for the last seven years only enhances her commitment to the organization and ability to lead it effectively. The Board of Directors is sure that under Joslyn’s great leadership, wisdom and guidance, Covenant will strive to much greater heights and achievements.”

-Dotti Sharp, Board Chair, Covenant Community Care

KEES is a national executive search firm that builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit sector. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of executive search, leadership development, interim staffing and HR services and support.

“It was a pleasure to meet Joslyn from day 1. Her passion for those served, as well as her perspective on the future, instantly set her apart from other candidates. Joslyn Pettway is an emerging leader who will take Covenant in the right direction. The Board and Search Committee of Covenant Community Care have been excellent partners, and we see a strong, flourishing future for Covenant in the years ahead.”

-Heather Eddy, President and CEO, KEES

Covenant Community Care’s mission is to show and share the love of God, as seen in the good news of Jesus Christ, by providing integrated affordable and quality health care to those who need it most. Covenant is a Community Health Center that proudly cares for 20,000 people every year through medical, dental, OB-care, and behavioral health services. For more information, please visit www.covenantcommunitycare.org.

AJC Chicago, a regional office of the leading Jewish advocacy organization AJC Global, has selected Sarah van Loon as its next Director, Advancement & Engagement.  

Sarah van Loon is a passionate, mission-driven development professional and former Associate Director for AJC Chicago, where she grew her skills in fundraising and development in the Jewish philanthropic community.

Most recently, Sarah served as the Director of the Sustaining Fellows at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she oversaw the success of the museum’s leadership donor society and $4 million in annual unrestricted giving. Sarah joined the Art Institute in 2018 after nearly five years with AJC Chicago, serving first as Development Coordinator and then ultimately Associate Director.

Sarah’s passion for development is built on her background in the performing arts, including her early career in opera as a classically trained soprano, before transitioning to work in the Chicago Jewish community with the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF). Sarah specializes in connecting donors to their passions through intentional gift making, and she is looking forward to continuing this work in her return to AJC.

“AJC’s mission to enhance the wellbeing of the Jewish people and Israel has always resonated with me on a deeply personal level. As a Jewish person, to be able to come to work each day and know that I’m making a difference—whether I’m working with others to combat antisemitism, advocate for Israel, or grow our relationships with interfaith partners—brings meaning to my work, especially in our rapidly changing world.”

-Sarah van Loon

Sarah is an active member with the Chicagoland chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and serves on the AFP Chicago Continuous Learning Council. From 2015 to 2016, Sarah was an Annual Fellow with the Development Leadership Consortium, and in 2017, she was named one of Chicago’s “Jewish 36 Under 36” emerging leaders by JUF and Oy!Chicago. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, a bachelor’s degree from North Park University, and a certificate in accounting from City Colleges of Chicago.

AJC Chicago retained KEES as its executive search partner in February 2020. A comprehensive search was launched, attracting candidates from across the Midwest. The Interview Committee, led by AJC Chicago Executive Director Laurence Bolotin, ultimately selected Sarah van Loon from an impressive group of top finalists.

“I am so pleased to welcome Sarah back to the AJC Chicago family. Her commitment to our mission, magnetic and positive personality, and deep knowledge of nonprofit fundraising make her the ideal candidate to step into this role. AJC Chicago is poised for tremendous growth in our ability to impact the future of Global Jewish Advocacy, and I’m confident that Sarah will lead us in ensuring we have the resources needed to achieve our goals.”

-Laurence Bolotin, Executive Director, AJC Chicago

KEES is a retained executive search firm that builds transformative nonprofit teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners specifically with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of services including executive search, leadership development, succession planning, interim staffing and human resources consulting.

“It took a lot to recruit Sarah back to AJC! She was growing and thriving in her previous role, but elements of the mission allowed us to keep after her. The KEES team knew she would be a perfect fit for this role – and I am thrilled that our tenacity paid off. Sarah will be an incredible asset to AJC as it continues to grow and develop under Laurence Bolotin’s leadership. Nothing makes us happier than adding a great leader to a team!”

-Heather Eddy, President and CEO, KEES

The mission of AJC (American Jewish Committee) is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. The Evelyn R. Greene AJC Chicago Regional Office connects the local Chicago community with AJC’s global advocacy work. With access to diplomats, elected officials, and interfaith leaders at the local level, AJC Chicago advances the broader priorities so vital to AJC’s global work: combating antisemitism, promoting Israel’s place in the world, and countering the spread of radicalism and extremism. To learn more about AJC Chicago, visit www.ajc.org/chicago.

BY Jane C. Simons, MiBiz (article excerpt below)

“The announcement last month that five of the most influential U.S. charitable foundations would be substantially increasing their giving levels was met with gratitude by philanthropic leaders in Southwest Michigan.

According to Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES, which offers a broad range of services to the nonprofit sector, the Ford Foundation’s step helped catalyze the philanthropic sector to take action.

‘When the Ford [Foundation] story came out, it created a greater awareness for the need to increase giving levels,’ Eddy said, noting that more than 760 foundations of all sizes have signed on and made a similar commitment in the ensuing period.

‘There’s a recognition from foundations that this is not business as usual,’ Eddy said. ‘While they may have given a grant for something specific, if that operating nonprofit can’t open its doors every day, that specific intent may get delayed. Funders want to see nonprofits continue and provide programs and services that they funded with that grant.’

From a strategic standpoint, ‘these foundations are realizing that if they made a two-year $100,000 commitment and the nonprofit closes, they’ve lost that $50,000,’ Eddy said. ‘If the nonprofit doesn’t exist, then all of their historical investments get wiped away.’“

Read the full article online HERE or as a pdf HERE.

KEES Executive Search client partner Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) announces Sandra Nelson as its next Vice President for Advancement. Ms. Nelson started in the role on June 15, 2020.

Sandra Nelson is a highly qualified and successful advancement professional who has been working in faith-based, healthcare, and higher education philanthropic areas since 1990.

Sandra comes to Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) from Concordia University, where she served as Vice President at the Foundation since 2015. Prior to her position at Concordia, Sandra worked in nonprofit consulting—both in her own company, SHN Advisors, and with The Alford Group. Other previous roles include President of the Foundation and Vice President of Development at Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare; Vice President Foundation, Corporate and Government Relations at Advocate Healthcare; Director of Donor Services at The Chicago Community Trust; and Director of Development and Communication with The Presbyterian Church (USA). Sandra has a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and held CFRE certification for 21 years.

“I have known about the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for a long time and its commitment to form leaders for a public church. This position brings together my love of the church with my professional background. I look forward to working with people of faith to shape those who will go out to serve the church as leaders.”

-Sandra Nelson

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago retained KEES as its Executive Search client partner for the Vice President for Advancement position in January 2020. KEES has also partnered with LSTC on three previous searches, successfully placing candidates in the roles of Director of Advancement Operations, Major Gifts Officer, and Director of Philanthropic Engagement in 2019.

KEES is a retained executive search firm that builds transformative nonprofit teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners specifically with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of services including executive search, leadership development, succession planning, interim staffing and human resources consulting.

Based in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) is the leading urban Lutheran seminary training students to serve in the global community. True to its Lutheran heritage and built on a foundation of intellectual rigor, its innovative, nationally recognized curriculum equips students for visionary ministry. LSTC’s curriculum cultivates competencies for leadership in a public church that focuses on community engagement, public witness, and social transformation. LSTC’s holistic approach to theological education breaks academic disciplines out of their silos and allows creative collaboration to flourish. To learn more, visit www.lstc.edu.

“Just this week, the first week that Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans are beginning to hit the original eight-week period for payback forgiveness, we are hearing of and discussing furloughs, layoffs, and terminations with client partners,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “Whether you are a team of 500 or 50, losing 50 to 75 percent of your staff can have devastating effects, both in terms of work and output and emotional and cultural impact for the surviving team. It is not easy, and unfortunately, we are just seeing the next wave beginning this process. It’s going to get worse, before it gets better.” 

Read the full article HERE.

BY MARLA R. MILLER (article excerpt below)

“Heather Eddy, President and CEO of [KEES]…said during this time of economic uncertainty, she has been counseling her clients to constantly engage with their volunteers and communicate with their board members. Eddy notes philanthropy for children’s issues has been receiving greater attention lately.

‘Children can’t control their environment and they need us to keep them healthy and protected.’” 

Read full article online HERE or as a pdf HERE.

Catch up on the latest KEES news – including a personal message from President and CEO Heather Eddy – in the inaugural issue of our newsletter!

Leadership at The Actuarial Foundation, an organization that enhances math education and financial literacy through the talents and resources of actuaries, announces the hire of Valerie Thompson as the Foundation’s first Director of Development.  

Valerie Thompson has worked in the Chicago nonprofit environment for more than 20 years. She comes to The Actuarial Foundation from the American Academy of Dermatology, where she most recently served as Senior Manager for Individual Giving. Previous roles include Director of Development at the American Brain Tumor Association, Executive Director of Emergency Fund for Needy People (now known as All Chicago), and Executive Director of Resources in Community Living. Valerie has a Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Medical Society Fund Raising Network (MSFRN), and Association Forum.

“I am excited to join The Actuarial Foundation at this pivotal time in their growth. As I’ve come to know more about the Foundation’s work, I have been impressed by their proactive approach to math education – not only for future careers but also for daily life – which gets kids excited about learning. Online tools and resources, games, and other alternatives to classroom instruction also support the needs of teachers as they work to address the different learning needs of students and today’s reality of changing learning environments.”

-Valerie Thompson

The Actuarial Foundation retained KEES as its executive search partner in November 2019. A comprehensive search for the Director of Development position was launched, and Foundation leadership ultimately selected Valerie Thompson from a commendable group of top finalists.

“We are very excited to have Valerie taking on the role of Director of Development for The Actuarial Foundation. Valerie brings to the job an exceptional combination of fundraising experience, program development, and proven leadership to the challenges we face providing math and financial literacy programs to students across the U.S. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with her extensive knowledge, her 20-years of work within the nonprofit sector, and her strong management skills. We expect Valerie to not only continue the Foundation’s excellent fundraising programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the Foundation’s programs to more people in need.”

-Jason Leppin, Executive Director, The Actuarial Foundation

KEES is a retained executive search and consulting firm that builds transformative teams and leaders. Founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, KEES partners specifically with nonprofit organizations to provide an array of search, leadership, interim staffing and human resources support.

For 25 years, The Actuarial Foundation has led the way in creating quality education initiatives for students of all ages. Since its inception, the Foundation has promoted lifelong math education and financial literacy through the provision of innovative learning resources, tools and scholarships. Accessed by over 15 million students annually, the demand for the Foundation’s programs continues to grow, as does the vision for the organization’s impact. To learn more, please visit www.actuarialfoundation.org.