News:
Maryville Academy Foundation selects Michelle Jimenez as its First Chief Development Officer
Maryville Academy Foundation, operating as Maryville Foundation, located in Des Plaines, IL, has named Michelle Jimenez as its inaugural Chief Development Officer. Jimenez, a nonprofit professional with over 25 years of extensive experience, assumed the role in November 2022.
In her role as Chief Development Officer, Jimenez’s responsibilities include all fundraising efforts of the Foundation, with a focus on major gifts, planned giving, and campaigns. Maryville Foundation is launching a powerful initiative to support the efforts to move the Charles H. Walsh Sr. Academy and Career Tech High School (formerly known as Jen School) to its new and expanded space in Niles, IL for the 2023-24 school year.
As a nonprofit development professional with extensive experience, Jimenez has a history of managing multiple projects in annual funding and campaign evaluation for various non-profit organizations. For the past two decades, Jimenez has consulted, most recently through HPS Chicago, a full-service fundraising and non-profit consulting practice serving clients similar to those supported by Maryville Foundation.
“Throughout my nonprofit career, the work I have done to support children and families has been my most satisfying and rewarding and I look forward to beginning a new chapter with Maryville Foundation,” said Michelle. “These experiences have demonstrated how important family support is for the overall strength and well-being of an entire community. I am excited to apply my experience and consulting skills to help grow the Foundation into a forward-thinking development operation.”
Capital campaign management has been a core focus of her consulting career and has included the guiding of the creation and design phase, selection and formation of steering committees, gift solicitations, campaign kick-off, and execution. In her consulting roles, Jimenez had the privilege to work with Chicagoland nonprofits including Rainbows for All Children, New Star Services (formerly SouthStar), Visitation Parish, St. Pius X, St. Irene Parish, Old St. Pat’s Church, Community Support Services, St. James Hospital, LIFT India, and others.
“The hiring of our first Chief Development Officer is a defining moment in our history, and we are thankful for KEES for their expertise as we navigated this process. We were seeking a mission-driven and innovative individual to bring a fresh perspective. Michelle brings a true passion and skillset to grow the Foundation and further the mission of Maryville Academy. The entire team looks forward to working with Michelle as we advance our Foundation’s philanthropic activities and increase new opportunities for donors,” said Sean Madden, Board President of Maryville Foundation.
Leading the search efforts were Board President and Search Committee Chair Sean Madden (President (ret.) at Madden Insights) and Search Committee members Frank Pawlak (Attorney/Owner at Frank M. Pawlak, P.C.), Maggie Reynolds (Volunteer at Maryville), Randy Roberts (Village Trustee at Village of Skokie), and Pat Shea (Commodities Trader). This was the first search partnership for KEES and Maryville Academy Foundation, following a competitive selection process to identify a search partner. The comprehensive search attracted several qualified candidates from across the Midwest.
“The future holds enormous potential for Maryville Foundation, and we are thrilled to have led this search,” said Heather Eddy, KEES President and CEO. “KEES strives to help build strong nonprofit teams and leaders through executive partnerships and working with Maryville over the last several months has been extremely rewarding. Client partners that are hiring “the first” of a key leadership role have a unique element, and Michelle will truly help the Foundation gain its footing and come to life. KEES proudly congratulates the entire Foundation 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 MARYVILLE ACADEMY FOUNDATION
Maryville Foundation’s mission includes raising funds to improve and expand Maryville Academy programs which are focused on protecting children and strengthening families. The Foundation’s support helped Maryville Academy serve 5,300 individuals last year. To learn more, please visit https://www.maryvillefoundation.org
ABOUT MARYVILLE ACADEMY
Maryville Academy was founded in 1883 by the Archdiocese of Chicago as an orphanage to house and educate children orphaned by The Great Chicago Fire, Cholera, and the Yellow Fever epidemic. Over its almost 140-year history, Maryville has adapted to the changing needs of society. Today, no longer an orphanage, Maryville’s mission is to protect children and strengthen families through its 19 programs which fall under four primary services: Early Childhood Engagement, Education, Family and Residential Care, and Transitional Healthcare. Of note, Maryville Academy is a Catholic organization but almost 80% of the children and families supported are not Catholic. The Academy and the Foundation are committed to serving the needs of the entire community.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
MARYVILLE FOUNDATION CONTACT:
Sean Madden
KEES Retained by Little City to Lead Executive Director Search
Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been exclusively retained by Little City Foundation in its search for its next Executive Director. With over ten programs throughout the Chicagoland area, Little City engages and supports individuals, families, and communities to ensure that children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can realize their unique potential to live safely, learn continuously, explore creatively, and work productively. KEES President Heather Eddy and Project Coordinator Megan Taylor will lead the search, and the new leader is expected to start in 2023. Shawn Jeffers, having served and expanded Little City over the past 20 years, will retire after a new leader is identified.
As a premier executive search firm, KEES specializes in executive searches for top nonprofit executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and President roles. KEES has a long history of placing accomplished executives within the Chicago metropolitan area and in the state of Illinois. For over two decades, the team at KEES has been a leader in offering a proven search process with creative and unique approaches designed to fit each client partner’s needs.
Little City Board of Directors selected KEES after reviewing several competitive proposals. “KEES came highly recommended to the board during our succession planning process,” said Greg Burns, President of the Board of Directors. “The KEES team and their excellence in nonprofit executive search stood out to us because they were familiar with our needs and understood the mission behind our caring community. We are thrilled to be in a partnership with KEES.”
KEES’ work helps ensure that missions are fulfilled, visions are achieved, leaders can succeed, and clients can change the world through the meaningful missions they serve. This partnership builds upon KEES’ long list of client partners who serve and support individuals with disabilities in a multitude of ways.
“Congratulations to Shawn Jeffers as he takes this exciting next step. I remember when Shawn came to the Chicagoland area from Springfield. He has since transformed Little City in almost every aspect,” said Heather Eddy. “It is an honor to have been competitively selected to lead Little City into this stage of transition. We look forward to partnering with leadership in the coming months.”
Confidential inquiries, candidate recommendations, and questions concerning this 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 Little City
Established as a nonprofit organization in 1959, Little City’s mission is to serve children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) by providing the best options and opportunities to live safely, learn continuously, explore creatively, and work productively throughout their lifetime. Little City offers a portfolio of programs that include 24/7 supportive residential settings for children and adults, a therapeutic children’s day school, foster care and adoption, home-based family support, health and wellness services, and a variety of therapeutic day programs such as employment services, horticulture, fitness, and recreation. For more information, visit www.littlecity.org.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
LITTLE CITY MEDIA CONTACT:
Tina Maraccini
tmaraccini@littlecity.org
Fernwood Botanical Garden taps industry leader Chris Jabin as Director of Development
KEES Executive Search Client Partner, Fernwood Botanical Garden, a 105-acre botanical garden, arboretum, and nature preserve located in Niles, Michigan, has selected industry leader Christopher “Chris” Jabin as Director of Development following a comprehensive search.
Currently serving in a consulting capacity through Dragonfly Advisors, Inc., Jabin offers strategic consulting to build philanthropic and investor networks, develop leadership and solid governance practices, and enhance development programs to nonprofits in Chicago and Michigan.
“I am deeply grateful to Carol, the Board, and the Fernwood family of friends and supporters for this wonderful opportunity,” said Chris. “Just as I strove to improve the quality of life in Chicago through my philanthropic work, I look forward to enhancing our new community in Southwest Michigan in this role with Fernwood Botanical Garden. Creating mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations has always been a focus of my professional efforts, and Fernwood has a wonderful foundation on which to build many new relationships. I am eager to get to work to help advance Fernwood’s environmental stewardship and conservation education activities. With Fernwood’s strong visitation and dynamic public programs, there is a great opportunity to help our many friends and philanthropic partners learn about making a positive impact on the natural world around us.”
Jabin and his family moved to Three Oaks, Michigan, in 2019 to pursue a vision and lifelong dream. As part of his passion and love for nature and gardening, Chris and his wife Thayer, a Master Gardener, have been redeveloping the gardens and trails on their 12 acres of Dragonfly Farm. Prior to his current consulting work, Jabin’s diverse fundraising career included serving many of Chicago’s top arts, culture, zoo, and aquarium institutions. Most recent of those organizations included The Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Zoological Society (CZS). Prior roles where he led and built philanthropic programs included John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“We were looking for an experienced and strategic leader to spearhead the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan that will ensure long term sustainability and support for Fernwood’s mission. We found that and more with Chris,” said Fernwood’s Executive Director Carol Line. “Chris brings a proven track record as an accomplished, nonprofit and development professional, and will contribute knowledge from over three decades of success in fundraising to our community. We proudly welcome Chris to the Fernwood team.”
In recognition of his many contributions to the field, Jabin received the Benjamin Franklin Award from the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2014. Additionally, as an active philanthropist, Jabin has served on several boards, including the Acorn Center for the Performing Arts, Cabinet of Curiosity, and Arts Alliance Illinois. Originally from Grand Rapids, Jabin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College with a concentration in public service from the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Service.
Fernwood Botanical Garden retained KEES, a national executive search firm for nonprofits, as its executive search partner in 2022, launching a comprehensive search. Jabin was selected among a talented group of top finalists. Leading the search efforts included Executive Director Carol Line and Board Chair Mary Keefe.
“Congratulations to Chris and all those connected with Fernwood,” said Heather Eddy, CEO and President of KEES. “Less than 90 miles from Chicago, Fernwood is a gem of an institution in Southwest Michigan that is a leader among peer public gardens. As a growing organization, the KEES team is incredibly excited for the future success of Fernwood with Chris leading the philanthropic work. He will fit perfectly with the vision for its future. We applaud the entire Fernwood 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 FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN
Fernwood Botanical Garden’s mission is to enrich people’s lives by awakening and deepening their appreciation of nature. The garden, just 90 minutes from Chicago’s downtown, is located in Berrien County Michigan, which is famous for its fruit production, wine country, and lakeshore communities. Fernwood comprises 105 acres of gardens and natural areas and is a birder’s paradise. The property features at least ten unique ecosystems and 36 plant species that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has deemed threatened, endangered, and plants of special concern. Visitors may enjoy Fernwood’s natural areas with miles of walking and hiking trails, garden paths that wind throughout special botanical collections, and a visit to the Sims Education Center for drop-in educational features and a bird viewing area at the wooded edge of the preserve. To learn more, please visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
FERNWOOD MEDIA CONTACT:
Elaine Rowland
Bay Area Urban Debate League selects Mya Whitaker as its next Executive Director
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
Chicago Debates Selects KEES to Find Next Executive Director
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
Storycatchers Theatre retains Executive Search Firm KEES to lead Executive Director Search
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
KEES Client Partner, Western Arts Alliance, Welcomes Joshua Heim as Next Executive Director
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
WAA MEDIA CONTACT:
Lucy Taylor
KEES Expands Partnership with North Park University
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
NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY MEDIA CONTACT:
Mara Perlow
mperlow@northpark.edu
Curt’s Café selects Malik Kemokai as Executive Director
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
Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center selects KEES to begin Search for Executive Director
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.
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