Woods Fund Statement regarding Grace Hou's Departure

Grace Hou, president of Woods Fund Chicago, will step down from the foundation to become Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, effective March 15, 2018.

The Board of Directors and staff of Woods Fund Chicago are grateful for Grace’s leadership during her seven-year tenure. As the foundation’s chief executive, Grace forged important partnerships with the community, philanthropic and civic organizations locally and nationally. Her seminal work in addressing issues of racial equity and social justice led to groundbreaking discussions about structural racism and its effects on the most vulnerable residents and neighborhoods of Chicago.

Under her leadership, Chicago was named a partner in the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) initiative, a multi-year commitment led by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to bring about transformational, sustainable change in addressing the effects of racism.

Grace has been a champion for Woods Fund Chicago grantees as they work in communities throughout the city to combat injustice. In the process, she has helped deepen public awareness and understanding of the significance of policy, advocacy initiatives and community organizing as fundamental tools for social transformation in Chicago.

As she assumes her new role, thed Woods Fund family looks forward to seeing Grace bring her leadership, fresh thinking and collaborative skills to addressing the needs of communities throughout the state.

Sincerely, 

Ric Estrada, Board Chair, Woods Fund Chicago