Announcement on behalf of The Baby Fold’s Board of Directors and Board Chair, Rob Parent

The Board of Directors has selected Clete Winkelmann, to follow Dianne Schultz as the agency’s next CEO. 

Clete is currently the Executive Director of Nexus-PATH Family Healing. As Executive Director, Clete leads strategy, programming, and daily operations of Nexus-PATH, overseeing the range of foster care and community-based mental health programs for youth and families across the state. Clete has over 30 years of human services experience, ranging from foster care case management to leading community support and mental health organizations. His past CEO roles have also provided a great deal of experience with therapeutic day schools. In addition to Nexus, his other senior executive leadership roles in Illinois have included United Methodist Children’s Home (Spero), Peoria Children’s Home Association, and Aunt Martha’s Health and Community Support Services.

Clete is a faith-based, mission-driven leader. While his most recent role at Nexus took him to North Dakota, Clete is a long-time Illinois resident who is well-known and respected throughout the state. He is excited to return home to serve The Baby Fold. 

We look forward to welcoming Clete to the agency. He will arrive on June 5. Clete and Dianne will work together to ensure a seamless transition. Clete is familiar with The Baby Fold and has admired your good work for many years! He looks forward to meeting all of you soon and will plan an opportunity to engage with your departments early in his tenure so you can get to know him.