THE FOLLOWING IS AN AMERICAN RED CROSS RELEASE
February 25, 2025 – The American Red Cross of Illinois proudly announces Kellie O’Connell as its new Regional Chief Executive Officer. While her responsibilities include the entire Illinois Red Cross region, O’Connell will be primarily based at the Greater Chicago headquarters.
An accomplished and inspiring leader, O’Connell brings a wealth of experience that aligns closely with the Red Cross mission, emphasizing community engagement, equitable access to resources, and diversity initiatives.
With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and governmental roles, O’Connell has dedicated her career to ensuring access to vital resources for underserved communities. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry). During her tenure, she expanded the organization’s food storage and distribution capacity, launched an innovative online market program, grew its mental health and social service offerings, rebranded the organization, and forged collaborative partnerships across Chicago.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kellie to the Red Cross,” said Judy Green, Division Vice President, North Central Division, American Red Cross. “Her leadership, vision, and deep commitment to helping communities in need will strengthen our ability to deliver the Red Cross mission across the Illinois region before, during, and after emergencies.”
As Regional CEO, O’Connell will lead a team of dedicated volunteers and staff, serving more than 12.2 million people in 88 counties across Illinois, and parts of Iowa, and Missouri.
“I am deeply honored to join the Red Cross and lead this exceptional team of volunteers and staff,” O’Connell said. “Together, we’ll build on the region’s strong legacy of service while exploring new ways to expand our impact and bring hope to those who need it most.” O’Connell holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago. She is also a 2019 graduate of Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Executive Education Program. Since 2020, she has been a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and is an active member of the Engagement Committee of the Economic Club of Chicago. O’Connell also serves on the executive committee of the board of Guitars Over Guns.
O’Connell joins the Illinois Red Cross following the departure of former Regional CEO Celena Roldán Sarillo.
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves communities through a network of five chapters: Central Illinois, Greater Chicago, Illinois River Valley, Quad Cities & Northwest Illinois, and South & West Central Illinois. Our mission is to help people prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. For more information, visit redcross.org. Also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
