American Red Cross of Illinois names Kellie O’Connell Regional CEO

CHICAGO, Ill., (KBSI) — The American Red Cross of Illinois has appointed Kellie O’Connell as its new Regional Chief Executive Officer.

O’Connell, an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and governmental roles, will oversee the entire Illinois Red Cross region, with a primary base at the Greater Chicago headquarters.

She most recently served as CEO of Nourishing Hope, where she expanded food storage and distribution capacity, launched an online market program, and grew mental health and social service offerings.

As Regional CEO, O’Connell will lead a team serving over 12.2 million people in 88 Illinois counties, as well as parts of Iowa and Missouri.

O’Connell holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and Loyola University Chicago and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Executive Education Program.

She succeeds former Regional CEO Celena Roldán Sarillo.