CEO Update - June 20, 2012

Mary Ellen Caron Named New CEO of After School Matters Following Retirement Of Raymond Orozco

The Board of Directors of After School Matters, the nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school teens high quality, out-of-school time opportunities to develop their talents and gain critical skills for work, college and beyond, announced today that it has named Dr. Mary Ellen Caron as the organization’s new CEO effective immediately.

A longtime educator and former commissioner of both the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services and the subsequent Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, Caron was a close friend of the late Maggie Daley who founded After School Matters in 1991 and served as its chairperson until her passing last November. She has served as a member of the organization’s advisory board of directors since 2004.

Caron’s appointment follows an announcement by current After School Matters CEO Raymond Orozco that he will retire. Orozco has served as CEO of After School Matters since July 2011 when he stepped in to guide the organization through a time of transition as Mrs. Daley was in declining health and important structural and operational changes were being made to enhance teen recruitment and program quality.

Expressing excitement and optimism about her new role and the future of the 21-year old organization, Caron said, “I am proud to take on the leadership of an organization that plays such an important role in opening Chicago teens’ eyes to opportunities beyond their school day and neighborhood. After School Matters quality out-of-school time programming in arts, communications, science, sports and technology helps teens develop their talents in these content areas, but also cultivates important career readiness fundamentals, such as positive attitude, work ethic, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. By helping teens understand how the skills they gain in After School Matters transfer and are critical to success in the workplace or in college, our programs really do prepare students for success in work, college and beyond.”

To view the full press release click here.