American Red Cross of Illinois names new Regional CEO
Kellie O'Connell has been named Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Illinois.
According to a press release, O'Connell's role of Regional Chief Executive Officer will encompass the entire Illinois Red Cross region. She will be primarily based at the Greater Chicago. O'Connell will lead a team of volunteers and staff, serving more than 12.2 million people in 88 counties across Illinois, parts of Iowa and Missouri headquarters. O'Connell joins the Illinois Red Cross following the departure of former Regional CEO Celena Roldán Sarillo.
According to the release:
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.
The American Red Cross of Illinois
'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 a 2019 graduate of Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Executive Education Program. 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 serves on the executive committee of the board of Guitars Over Guns.
About the American Red Cross of Illinois
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
South & West Central Illinois
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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