Hephzibah Children’s Association has hired Jason Patenaude as the new chief executive officer.
His appointment is effective June 24. It comes after a nationwide search after former executive director Merry Beth Sheets announced her departure. Interim Chief Executive Nancy Dorfman Schwartz has been serving in the role since then.
Patenaude comes to Oak Park’s Hephzibah with three decades of experience leading nonprofits and for-profit organizations, including serving as executive director and chief operating officer for the Schuler Education Foundation, where he worked to “support college access for high-achieving, low-income, and underrepresented students,” according to a statement.
“Jason brings a growth-oriented mindset to the new role of CEO at Hephzibah and his extensive financial, fundraising and executive leadership experience at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations will undoubtedly enhance his stewardship of Hephzibah,” said Jennifer Ellis-Jason, board president.
Patenaude said he was looking forward to working with staff and leadership at Hephzibah, because the mission is close and dear to his heart.
“As adoptive parents, my wife and I understand how enriching it can be to form a family through the kinds of foster and adoption programs that Hephzibah provides,” Patenaude said. “Also, as a multi-racial family living here in Oak Park, we’re deeply committed to supporting Hepzibah’s contributions to our diverse and inclusive community.”
Patenaude also has worked as chief operating officer for Reading in Motion, a Chicago-based early literacy organization, Cricket Media, a leading creator of award-winning books and other products, and served as President of the Carus Publishing Company.
He has a bachelor of arts degree from Bates College and a master of business administration degree from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Hephzibah is one of Oak Park’s oldest social service agencies, helping children and families through “innovative, community-based programs,” which include therapeutic residential treatment programs for young children, wrap-around foster care services, and prevention services for families in crisis. They also run an after-school care and summer camp for elementary children in Oak Park.