Highly Experienced Social Entrepreneur Joins From Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to Lead LIFT-Chicago to Next Stage of Growth and Development
LIFT, a national nonprofit organization working to lift people out of poverty for good since 1998, has announced the selection of banker turned social entrepreneur, Susan Resko, as the new executive director of its Chicago region. Susan will succeed Ben Reuler, who has led LIFT-Chicago since 2008. Mr. Reuler will consult LIFT’s national operations on strategic innovations projects through December 2014. He will be based in Seattle. The selection was made after an extensive regional executive search and selection process.
“We are thrilled to announce that Susan will be joining us as our Executive Director for LIFT-Chicago,” reported Tony Brunswick, LIFT’s Chief Operating Officer. “Susan is amazing and we are excited for her to lead our work in Chicago. Susan brings to the position tremendous experience, creativity, and a deep commitment for this work. She has served nonprofits at program, fundraising, executive and leadership levels and we look forward to having her drive our programmatic vision and regional impact strategy in Chicago.”
Susan’s resume includes over 25 years of executive leadership and administration, marketing, change management and relationship management experience in the banking and nonprofit sectors. A marketing concentrated MBA, Susan served as a vice president/senior relationship manger at Harris Trust and Savings Bank before transitioning into her nonprofit career with The Balanced Mind Foundation, a national parent network for children with severe mental health challenges. First serving as a consultant, Susan was quickly recruited into the role of Development Director and grew the Foundation’s budget nearly 300% from $350,000 to $900,000. Within five years, she became the organization’s Executive Director where she led the organization through a rebranding and re-organization, which saw the expansion of the Foundation’s focus area to include bipolar disorder, childhood depression, and other mental illnesses. In late 2013, Susan initiated and led the Foundation’s merger with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the nation’s leading organization for mood disorders education, support and advocacy. Upon the transition, Susan became the organization’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, where she led a team responsible for securing $3 million in revenue.
“I look forward to working with LIFT-Chicago at a time of such growth and impact,” remarks Susan. “I am dedicated to the work that LIFT-Chicago is doing to fight poverty because this City of Big Shoulders has the strength to do a lot more LIFTING and I’ve witnessed the power that simple, human connections have to transform lives, save families, build strong communities and LIFT people out of poverty for good.”
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About LIFT-Chicago
LIFT-Chicago is working to help lift people out of poverty for good by pairing rigorously trained volunteer Advocates with committed community members to build the strong personal, social and financial foundations they need to get ahead. By setting their own goals and working hard to achieve them, LIFT Members are equipped to get a job, a safe home and a quality education for themselves and their kids. They also build a support network, confidence in what they bring to the table and the skills to manage tough times in the future.
LIFT-Chicago works with over 2,500 Members each year and has been lifting the greater Chicago community since 2003. LIFT-Chicago is the local operation of LIFT, a national organization helping community members achieve economic stability and well-being. www.liftcommunities.org/chicago
Media Contacts:
LIFT-Chicago
Stephenie Lazarus
773.334.3755
[email protected]
LIFT
Patience B. Peabody
202-560-2457
[email protected]