Woods Fund Chicago Announces Interim President, Executive Search Process
CHICAGO, IL March 15—The Woods Fund Chicago Board of Directors has named lead program officer Hina Mahmood interim president of the foundation following the departure of Grace Hou, who will serve as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
“Throughout her tenure at Woods Fund Chicago, Hina has demonstrated her passion and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the foundation,” said Ric Estrada, board chair. “As board members and staff colleagues prepare for the next chapter of our work, Hina was a natural choice as the bridge during this transition.”
In her role as interim president, Mahmood will manage day-to-day operations of the foundation, oversee grantmaking, and engage with partners on priority initiatives, working closely with the board of directors and staff.
Mahmood’s professional roots are in community organizing and public service. As lead program officer at Woods Fund Chicago, Mahmood has led the development, implementation, and evaluation of grantmaking strategies. Prior to joining Woods in 2012, she served as an education organizer and coordinated infrastructure and social service for a north side Chicago alderman, among other roles in the nonprofit and public sectors. She received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and undergraduate degree from Loyola University. Mahmood is on the board of directors of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and is a leader of Chicago Desi Youth Rising.
Morten Group LLC, a national consulting firm, has been retained by Woods Fund Chicago to conduct the search for a new president. The position description and additional details are forthcoming. Interested parties should contact executivesearch@mortengroup.com.
“Grace Hou guided Woods Fund Chicago in achieving a heightened level of advocacy and impact in philanthropy. We are pleased she has been chosen for the critical role of leading the state’s ‘super agency’ for human services and know she is dedicated to improving quality of life for families and communities, including the most vulnerable in our society. We express our deep appreciation for her service,” Estrada said.
About Woods Fund Chicago
At the heart of Woods Fund Chicago’s approach is the belief that systemic change is the only way to eradicate poverty and structural racism. Further, people most affected by poverty and racial inequity should lead and participate in the process of addressing issues that impact them.
From 1994 through 2018, Woods Fund Chicago provided grants of more than $70 million to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations in the Chicago region. Moving forward, the foundation looks to its history of bold grantmaking, public policy advocacy, and community support to shape and carry out its vision and mission. Please visit www.woodsfund.org to learn more.