News:
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.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
Rainbow Council, Boy Scouts of America Welcomes Peter Durkin as Director of Development
The Rainbow Council, Boy Scouts of America team, headquartered in Lockport, Illinois, has selected Peter Durkin as Director of Development. Durkin will be responsible for spearheading the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan that will raise the standard of the Council and ensure long-term sustainability and support for the organization’s vital mission. Durkin assumes the role beginning July 1, 2022.
Durkin most recently served as the Director of Alumni Relations for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, a leader in Catholic education since 1929 and his alma mater. As a director, Durkin focused on engaging, stewarding, and soliciting a portfolio of recent graduates through a variety of methods including organizing reunions and satellite alumni events, individual and corporate fundraising, and collaborating with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement on his portfolio.
“We were looking for a successful candidate who would be adept at both “big picture” strategic development and successfully be able to implement and fulfill plans to meet our goals and mission,” said Ted Karns, Scout Executive. “Peter’s passion for serving youth and education focused missions, paired with his excellent communication and development skills, were the winning combination we were looking to find with this role. I am proud to welcome Peter to our team.”
Prior to his time in development, Durkin served in a variety of public sector and government positions, including administrative support for Governor Pat Quinn, where he grew his knowledge in the areas of finance, project management, relationship management, and customer service. Additionally, Durkin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University.
“As a father of two young boys, I am committed to serving in an organization that is actively working to make the world a better place for young people,” said Peter. “Having served in an alumni focused position, I am passionate about connecting individuals with organizations that have had a profound and long-lasting impact on their lives and I am excited about the opportunity to do the same for Rainbow Council.”
Rainbow Council Board Members, including Jim Solari and Keith Dobrolinsky, shepherded the hiring process beginning in the Spring of 2022. KEES previously worked with the Board on a successful Boy Scouts of America project, and Rainbow Council competitively selected KEES again, as their executive search partner for this role.
“KEES was delighted to be selected as the search partner of choice for the Rainbow Council team and continue our partnership,” said Laura Weinman, Vice President of KEES. “It was a pleasure working with the team and we would like to congratulate Peter on his appointment to Director of Development. The future holds endless opportunities to help create the next generation of leaders.”
ABOUT KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
ABOUT RAINBOW COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Rainbow Council is one of 13 Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils in the state of Illinois, serving more than 2,500 youth and involving 1,200 volunteers in Will, Kankakee and Grundy counties each year. Located in the old City Hall building, the Rainbow Council service center sits in the heart of Lockport, IL where the Council hopes to become an increasingly visible center in the community and a recognized leader of Scouting in the region. The Council also owns and operates a 740-acre camp located in Morris, Illinois. To learn more about the Rainbow Council, please visit http://www.rainbowcouncil.org.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
RAINBOW COUNCIL, BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA MEDIA CONTACT:
Ted Karns
Fernwood Botanical Garden names KEES to lead its search for newly expanded role: Director of Development
KEES/Alford Executive Search, a leading nonprofit Executive Search firm, has been exclusively retained by Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, Michigan, to lead its search for a newly configured role of Director of Development. Fernwood is a special place, open to the community all year long, where people, plants, and nature come together and includes an arboretum, botanical garden, and nature preserve. Leading the search are KEES CEO and President Heather Eddy and Consultant Stacy Harker.
KEES holds high standards as an industry leader in Development and Fundraising roles. With more than 23 years of experience in nonprofit Executive Search and hundreds of successful past and current client partnerships, KEES continues to have a strong track record placing, creating, and supporting development roles nationwide. KEES predecessor firm started as mostly doing fundraising searches. Today, KEES has a diverse portfolio of clients and searches, with a focus on CEO/ED and fundraising searches in multiple sectors.
“KEES is a national boutique firm and provides a personalized touch to meet our specific needs,” said Carol Line, Fernwood’s Executive Director. “KEES was recommended to us by a Fernwood board member who had interactions with the firm in another local project. As an industry leader, the KEES team understands our goals, and we are energized by what is to come.”
More information regarding the Director of Development opportunity will be released soon as the comprehensive regional search begins. Please contact inquiries@kees2success.com for more information or for candidate referrals.
About KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a non-profit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the non-profit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of non-profit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
Youth Job Center Announces Lucretzia Jamison as its next Executive Director
Youth Job Center (YJC), a leading youth workforce agency in Cook County, Illinois, has selected Lucretzia Jamison as its next Executive Director. Assuming her new role in May 2022, Jamison will be responsible for providing overall executive leadership and management of YJC’s day-to-day activities and partnering with the Board to ensure ongoing strategic growth. Jamison will succeed Karen Tollenaar Demorest, who is departing in June after eight successful years leading the organization.
Jamison brings a 22-year career in nonprofits, government, and higher education. Her life’s passion has been centered on youth and young adults in workforce focused missions. Currently serving as the Dean of the Dawson Technical Institute (DTI), part of Kennedy King College, City Colleges of Chicago, Jamison is responsible for a team of over forty, a budget of $4.2M, and annually impacts over 1,000 students and residents. The programming of training, community education, and grant initiatives serves individuals in the Bronzeville, Englewood, Woodlawn, and surrounding communities. DTI is an academic center for Construction Technology and is nationally recognized for top quality job training location for the construction industry and its career development programs. An integral part of Jamison’s role at DTI is to ensure that students who have never been exposed to the Construction Industry, learn the industry, and gain skills in this steady, high-paying career field.
“We were seeking a strategic, visionary executive, and confident decision-maker to lead YJC through its next phase of growth and development. The Board of Directors unanimously selected Lucretzia after a rigorous vetting and decision-making process. She brought complementary experience to YJC’s past and will swiftly lead us forward in to the future and future opportunities to continue our impact for youth and young people,” said Board Search Committee Chair Doug Oettinger.
A Search Committee comprised of YJC Board Members, including Frank Adams (Crate and Barrel), Mary Dolan (Pro-Am Team Sports), Louis English (Robert W. Baird), Sergio Hernandez, Jr. (Illinois State Board of Education), Doug Oettinger (ZS Associates and Search Committee Chair), Jess Ticus (Consult HLT and YJC Board Chair), and Ericka Wrencher (Northwestern University) who shepherded the process since Fall of 2021. KEES worked with the Board and a 2012 Search Committee to hire Demorest. The search committee competitively selected KEES, again, as their partner in Fall 2021.
In previous positions, Jamison provided extensive managerial leadership and experienced success implementing and monitoring volunteer, academic, vocational, and employment programs. Prior to her role at DTI, Jamison served as the Executive Director (Chicago Campus) for the Center for Employment Training, an accredited Title IV institution for adult vocational and workforce training. Jamison additionally worked as the Director of Workforce Funding for the City of Chicago (DFSS), where she had hands on experience evaluating programs and distributing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to underserved communities and trained agencies to successfully comply with grant requirements. She began her career at Junior Achievement of Chicago, a youth organization that inspires and prepares young people to succeed. Alongside the noted professional accomplishments Lucrezia brings to the role, she is an active and involved member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., an avid traveler, and a superhero of a mother to her son, where she is often called to play superheroes and Space Jam.
Jamison said of her appointment to the position, “I am honored and humbled to have been selected as the next Executive Director of Youth Job Center. The mission of YJC resonates with my life-long passion for helping young people navigate their pathway in life. I look forward to working alongside the Board to ensure our youth can lead positive and self-fulfilling careers, with long-term outcomes that benefit both families and communities.”
“The entirety of Lucretzia’s professional experience has been in roles that help young people succeed. Her career is a true reflection of her dedication, determination, and commitment to helping youth and young adults find pathways to their future with equitable living wages,” said KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy. “We congratulate the entire YJC community and proud to be selected, again, as the search partner when Karen announced her transition plans.”
Youth Job Center Board Chair, Jessica (Jess) Ticus will guide the transition from Demorest to Jamison this summer. Ticus commented, “Lucretzia brings a great background in workforce development, strong financial management, fundraising experience, and a warm and inviting personality. The Board and staff are very excited to welcome her, and we look forward to bringing job skills and employment opportunities to young people throughout the Chicago area.”
Jamison holds a Master’s in Business Administration from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Northern Illinois University. Additionally, she has a Customer Experience Management certification from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.
ABOUT KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in nonprofit and public sectors. A woman-owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. To learn more about KEES, visit https://kees2success.com.
ABOUT YOUTH JOB CENTER
Youth Job Center (YJC) has been a leading provider of employment-related and career-building services for Evanston and Chicago youth experiencing barriers to successful job placement and rewarding careers for 39 years. YJC’s mission is, “Success for young people in the workplace and in life.” YJC envisions a future where all young people have the support to build a meaningful career and share widely their skills and potential.
YJC programs serve youth and young adults beginning at age 14 and serving up to age 25. YJC works with young people to support them onto a path to a career. We begin by identifying individual needs and areas of interest, career planning, goal setting, barrier reduction and connection to training programs and employment that will lead to meaningful and living wage careers for our young people.
To learn more about Youth Job Center, please visit https://youthjobcenter.org/
KEES MEDIA CONTACT
Jamie Sheffler jsheffler@kees2success.com
YOUTH JOB CENTER MEDIA CONTACT
Amanda Marks amarks@youthjobcenter.org
The Salvation Army Del Oro Division renews partnership with KEES
The Del Oro Division of The Salvation Army has exclusively retained KEES, a leading nonprofit and public sector executive search firm, in its search for two critical roles that support philanthropy. Headquartered in Sacramento, the Del Oro Division offers community centers and service offices throughout northern California and northern Nevada.
Nationwide, KEES and The Salvation Army have a longstanding partnership dating back over 30 years when KEES was still part of Alford Group; at the same time this renews the most recent Del Oro Division partnerhsip from 2106. KEES has frequently been retained to provide Executive Search and Consulting Services for professional staff roles across numerous territories, divisions, commands, and service extension units to help strengthen leadership structures and lead various consulting services. For these specific hires, expected to be open by the end of April, the search will be led by KEES CEO and Founder Heather Eddy and Project Manager Katie VanderKlok. The roles include: Divisional Development Director and Donor Relations Director.
“KEES is thrilled to renew our partnership with The Del Oro Division and Divisional Commander, Major John Brackenbury,” states Heather Eddy. “Our executive search and consulting efforts continually result in successful Salvation Army hires across the country and with this recent partnership, we will continue to drive The Salvation Army’s mission and ministries forward. They continue to Do the Most Good.”
The Del Oro Division of The Salvation Army reached out to KEES after seeking inquiries and proposals from other executive search firms and consultants specializing in nonprofit organizations. KEES was selected as the most qualified executive search firm given its history, experience, and prior work with many aspects of The Salvation Army.
“Selecting KEES was the right choice,” said Del Oro Divisional Commander Major John Brackenbury. “KEES is familiar with The Salvation Army and has a longstanding dedication and passion for supporting the mission of the Army. We needed leadership that was familiar with The Salvation Army and are thankful for the opportunity to work with KEES again to hire two critical and essential roles for our Division.”
If you would like to recommend someone for the Divisional Director of Development and Donor Relations Director roles or have any questions, please email KEES directly at inquiries@kees2success.com.
About KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services, including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com. Follow us on LinkedIn at KEES/Alford Executive Search and Facebook at Kees2success.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit.
For more information, visit GoSalArmy.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @SalArmyDelOro and on Facebook at The Salvation Army of Northern California.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Sheffler
THE SALVATION ARMY MEDIA CONTACT:
Samantha Jarosz
North Park University Welcomes Julie Fregetto as Director of Advancement Services
North Park University, Chicago’s city-centered Christian University, has selected Julie Fregetto as its next Director of Advancement Services. Fregetto assumes the role on April 18, 2022, and will be responsible for leading strategy, operations, and database management for the Office of Advancement.
“Julie brings many areas of technical expertise that will help advance the mission of North Park University,” said Gwen Williams, Director of Advancement at North Park. “She has the necessary leadership, operations, and database management skills we were seeking in our next Director of Advancement Services, and we thank KEES for assisting with this search to bring Julie’s expertise to North Park.”
Prior to joining Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, Fregetto served in two roles at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). During her tenure at ELCA, Fregetto was one of the team members who launched the organization’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, Always Being Made New: Campaign for the ELCA, which raised just over $250 million in current and planned gifts. Additionally, Fregetto previously held roles as Senior Associate for a philanthropic consulting company in Chicago and worked for the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Business Administration in the Development Office.
“A long-term goal has been to return to higher education and serve in an academic setting where I can live out my passion for raising awareness and funds for student scholarships. It is my belief that institutions like North Park University uniquely form future leaders and professionals equipped to make the world a better place,” said Julie Fregetto, “and I am honored to be joining the North Park team.”
Fregetto holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Additionally, she recently served as Board Treasurer for the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement.
KEES supported this role through our Search Assistance service and was delighted to be North Park University’s partner of choice.
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 NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church, North Park University is located on Chicago’s north side and enrolls more than 3,000 students across all levels of degrees offered. North Park seeks to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology. To learn more about North Park University, please visit http://www.northpark.edu/.
KEES MEDIA CONTACT
Jamie Sheffler jsheffler@kees2success.com
NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY MEDIA CONTACT
Mara Perlow, 773-244-5215, mperlow@northpark.edu
Milestone Anniversary Spotlight: Joe Ancell, Outreach Community Ministries
Congratulations to KEES placement, Joe Ancell, for celebrating 7 years of service at Outreach Community Ministries! To celebrate this achievement, we recently spoke with Joe about his time as Vice President of Donor Relations and Operations and what he is looking forward to in the future.
- What do you most remember about the search process with the KEES?
At the time, I was a general manager at a company but didn’t like the industry. So, I was putting feelers out there to get back into fundraising. I was already connected to KEES when they reached out to me about this role, as they knew I had an affinity for foster care and social work. I had never heard of Outreach Community Ministries before, but it caught my interest, and I applied. I remember the search process being very thorough, which has proven to be a good thing, with two other members of the Outreach team also being placed by KEES. I was very prepared throughout the process, having met with KEES team members several steps before interviewing with Outreach.
2. What has been your greatest achievement during your time at Outreach?
In my role, it would always be growing relationships with the community, staff, and donors. I’m proud of increasing the awareness of Outreach with the donors and connecting them to the need of the people we walk alongside and serve as an organization. Specifically, I’ve grown some of our large fundraising events to become staples in our area and the go-to events in the summer. But those things wouldn’t be successful without the relationship aspect of connecting the mission of the organization with people’s desires and hearts and being able to fill some of the needs of those we serve.
3. What is your primary goal for this next year?
We have been in a lot of transition for the last year with a new CEO replacing the founder of 40 years and adding some new positions to the Development and Operations team with that change. We’ve also been focused on our work culture and recently did all-day team-building activities. As a result, I am excited to have a full team and utilize the depth of each person’s gifts as we move forward and plan to take Outreach into the new era of serving the community. COVID has been a lot on the team and the organization, so we are all excited about the direction we’re going and moving forward.
4. What would you tell your younger self during a job search?
Don’t hold too tight to the status quo because change will be a part of your life continuously as you serve the community and your organization. So, be patient and attack each day with energy. Also, rely on the great team that has been put together around you.
Thank you, Joe, for sharing your experience and your deep commitment to the mission of Outreach. Please help us celebrate Joe by congratulating him on this amazing career milestone! We wish you and the entire Outreach Community Ministries team all the best in the year ahead!
To read more about our current placements, click here. 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.