About Esperanza Health Centers
Esperanza—Spanish for “hope”—was born from the vision of community residents and leaders who sought to address the lack of affordable healthcare in Chicago’s Southwest Side. From the very beginning, Esperanza has remained committed to its core values of caring, quality, and family.
Today, Esperanza is a nationally recognized health center with comprehensive services in primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and preventive programs—all delivered in Spanish and English, and open to every person regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay.
Esperanza’s exceptional clinical quality has earned consecutive designations from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as both a National Quality Leader and a Health Center Quality Leader, placing it among the top-performing health centers in the nation.
But Esperanza is also known for much more than medical care. What sets Esperanza apart is its deep investment in community well-being:
- Panorama PACE supports older adults with holistic, whole-person services that keep them active, engaged, and connected.
- Two Community Resource Centers offer thousands of area residents access to free benefits counseling every year, so people can get the benefits they need and deserve.
- The Esperanza Counseling Center is reinventing how Esperanza delivers behavioral health, allowing it to provide more in-depth talk therapy for kids and adults.
- Sabor y Salud provides patients with fresh produce to combat food insecurity.
- Reach Out and Read promotes literacy and early development during pediatric well visits.
Looking Ahead
Esperanza remains committed to offering high quality culturally relevant care. Esperanza was originally founded to serve, and has grown by responding to, the unique needs of Latino, immigrant, and Mexican communities on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The next CEO should authentically demonstrate an appreciation for Esperanza’s history and continue strengthening trust with those Esperanza serves.
With its solid foundation, national recognition, and strong community orientation, Esperanza is poised for its next era of innovation and impact. The next CEO will have the opportunity to guide a health center that not only delivers care but also redefines what community-based healthcare can be.
The Opportunity
Esperanza Health Centers is seeking a visionary and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and community impact. This is an extraordinary opportunity to guide one of Chicago’s most respected health centers—an anchor for thousands of families on the city’s Southwest Side—and to work in close partnership with a dedicated Board of Directors, committed staff, and an engaged community.
Since its founding in 2004, Esperanza has embodied its name—hope—by transforming access to care for neighborhoods historically left behind. What began as a small community clinic in Little Village and Pilsen has grown into a Federally Qualified Health Center serving nearly 55,000 patients annually across seven sites in Brighton Park, Little Village, Marquette Park, South Lawndale, and West Lawn.
The next CEO will inherit a nationally recognized health center, trusted for its high-quality, bilingual care and innovative approach to community health. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will set the strategic vision, ensure long-term financial sustainability, and foster a culture of operational excellence. The CEO will directly supervise and coach seven executive level staff members who oversee all fundamental departments of the organization.
This leader will also serve as Esperanza’s “chief ambassador”—engaging with policymakers, healthcare leaders, academic institutions, and community and business partners to advance health equity and strengthen the organization’s role as a model for community-based care.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting base salary for this position is $315,000, with a generous benefits package and bonus potential. Actual pay for the finalist candidate will be adjusted based on various factors, including but not limited to, market conditions, departmental budgets, internal equity, geographic location, level of experience, certifications and training, education, accomplishments, and comprehensive evaluation.
Candidates are encouraged to learn more about the role and share their salary requirements.
Relocation support will be provided for candidates coming from outside of the Chicago region. This is an on-site role. Willingness to travel, work and attend occasional evening/weekend events is required.
Contact
The recruitment is open until filled and materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Tiara D. Muse and Zack Reynolds. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.