Concordia Place, a vibrant mission-driven non-profit organization providing multigenerational programs, including early learning, after-school, and teen leadership for Chicago communities, is proud to announce Nathaniel Viets-VanLear as its inaugural Vice President of Youth Development and Impact.

Reporting to President and CEO Grace Araya, this newly created role is designed to elevate impact by strengthening and expanding Concordia Place’s high-quality youth and Out-of-School (OST) programs. Viets-VanLear will provide strategic leadership for the organization’s youth programming, turning bold vision into measurable outcomes that change young people’s lives. The executive search, led by KEES CEO and President Heather Eddy and Senior Project Manager Randi Blasutti, reflects the continued success of the ongoing partnership between Concordia Place and KEES.

Viets-VanLear most recently served as the Senior Director of Operations at My Block, My Hood, My City, where he was the principal strategic advisor to the CEO and maintained overarching operational and programmatic oversight of the organization. Most notably over the past year, he formalized the organization’s strategic infrastructure by establishing its very first Theory of Change and implementing a rigorous OKR (Objectives and Key Results) goals framework.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathaniel to the team as our new Vice President of Youth Development and Impact,” said Grace Araya, President and CEO. “Nathaniel brings a powerful blend of operational excellence and practical strategy, perfectly suited to drive our Out of School Time programming. His proven track record of scaling impact and disrupting social inequities makes him an ideal leader to ensure our youth programs remain competitive and poised for growth.”

Viets-VanLear attended Concordia Place programming as a young child in its early days. Additionally, Viets-VanLear brings experience from multiple roles at both Howard and Evanston Community Center and with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

“Having come full circle as a former student in Concordia Place programs, an after-school teacher, and now a leader, I know firsthand the power of this organization’s impact on the community,” said Nathaniel. “Building on the success of a program that is already changing the lives of hundreds of teens each year is exciting. I want to magnify its secret sauce and help tell the story of its success in a way that the community will invest in. I look forward to pushing this mission forward at a critical time for the organization.”

Nathaniel holds a Bachelor’s in American Racial Studies from St. Olaf College and a Master’s degree in Social Sector Leadership from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. He also received an Obama Scholar credential for completing a social impact and networking program through the University of Chicago, Columbia College, and the Obama Foundation.

Concordia Place first partnered with KEES, a leading executive search firm specializing in nonprofit CEO search, executive recruitment, leadership transition, and public sector leadership, in 2023. Since then, KEES has helped secure multiple key leadership roles supporting the new CEO in truly building a team, ensuring the organization is equipped with dynamic talent to advance its mission.

“Nathaniel brings a lifelong connection to the Concordia Place mission alongside 15 years of dedicated nonprofit sector experience rooted in youth development,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “We were proud to partner with Grace Araya on this pivotal, new role for Concordia Place, which evolved thoughtfully throughout the search process to meet the organization’s current and future needs. Nathaniel’s blend of lived experience, strategic agility, and deep operational expertise will be a tremendous asset to build on the mission and culture of Concordia Place.”

About Concordia Place

Inspired by faith, Concordia Place envisions bigger and better tomorrows where rich diversity strengthens learning and growth for all. Since 1981, Concordia Place has been disrupting social inequities through access to top-quality education, enrichment, and hands-on experiences that include children, teens, and families – together. By proactively addressing key social and economic needs, Concordia Place is where children and families go to learn, grow, and thrive. To learn more, visit www.concordiaplace.org. 

About KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a certified woman-owned nonprofit executive search firm dedicated to creating diverse teams with dynamic leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including executive search, leadership development, compensation analysis, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

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CONCORDIA PLACE MEDIA CONTACT: Laurie Dayon, ldayon@concordiaplace.org

KEES MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com