An End of an Era

As 2020 comes to an end, the Woods Fund Chicago team says goodbye to one of its longest serving board members, Ric Estrada. 

Ric joined the Wood Fund Chicago board of directors in 2010, bringing with him nearly three decades of leadership experience in human services, philanthropy, and government. His addition to the board deepened the foundation’s commitment to racial equity and community voice. In his ten years of service, Ric implemented the foundation’s Finance Committee, chaired every committee, and experienced the transition of two foundation presidents.  Ric is a “leader’s leader”, using his influence and power to create space for and to assist other leaders.  His incredible intersection of skills has meant that he has been an unwavering strategic partner to the last three foundation presidents.   

Ric’s accomplishments throughout his career are breathtaking. Honored as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow, Ric has been recognized as a Leadership Greater Chicago Distinguished Fellow. He has received the City Club of Chicago John A. McDermott Award for Distinguished Social Leadership, the University of Illinois at Chicago City Partner Award, and the University of Chicago’s Inaugural SSA Social Impact Alumni Award. In addition, Ric was named a Roberto Clemente honoree by the Chicago Cubs and has received the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award from the Chicago Bears. Additional accolades include being named “Person of the Year” by the Corporate Responsibility Group of Chicago, receiving a Kellogg CEO Perspectives Fellowship, and earlier in his career, being selected as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ “40 under 40.” 

Those that know Ric know that he seems to have boundless energy, and while Ric is stepping down from our board, that doesn’t mean that he will stop providing his support and service to other leaders in Chicago.  Currently, Ric serves on the board of trustees of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the board of Erie Elementary, the board of directors of the Grand Victoria Foundation, and the board of directors of A Better Chicago – to name a few.  

I, for one, will miss Ric’s presence on our board. Ric brought calm, measured energy, a strategic perspective and endless support for my leadership.  He was always a phone call, text or email away (honestly, I don’t know how he has the time!), always ready to respond to offer advice, insight, strategy and sometimes just an ear to listen. My friend, thank you for all you have done to strengthen this organization and to support my vision.