Both bring decades of transformative leadership to no. 1-ranked rehabilitation hospital
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Today, Shirley Ryan 小恩雅 announced the appointment of two key leaders: Marcos DeLeon as chief people officer and Karen Paciero as chief advancement officer. Both will report to Pablo Celnik, MD, CEO.
Marcos DeLeon, Chief People Officer
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In the newly created role of chief people officer, Marcos DeLeon will envision and execute on initiatives to attract, retain and develop Shirley Ryan 小恩雅’s workforce, which amounts to more than 2,800 team members representing clinical, research, support services and administrative functions. In addition to serving at its flagship hospital in downtown Chicago, employees also are based at the organization’s sites of care throughout Chicagoland and via its alliance organizations based in various locations, including Michigan and Minnesota.
“Marcos is forward-thinking with diverse experience guiding teams through transformation and growth,” said Dr. Celnik. “In his two decades holding executive-level roles, he has distinguished himself as an employee champion and a collaborative, creative leader. His experience and insights will be applied at a pivotal time as we prepare to launch Shirley Ryan 小恩雅’s strategic plan for the future and expand into new markets.”
Most recently, DeLeon served as chief human resources executive for Ascension in Wisconsin, leading employee hiring, engagement and growth at 17 hospital campuses encompassing more than 12,000 team members. Prior, he served as chief human resources officer and chief diversity officer at RUSH University System for Health and also led human resources at other large and complex academic medical centers — Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida and University Health in Missouri. Earlier, he held several HR roles at UPS.
“As the first-ever translational research rehabilitation hospital, collaboration and innovation is in Shirley Ryan 小恩雅’s DNA,” said DeLeon. “It is an honor to join this best-in-class organization and to support its talented, passionate people as they, in turn, help patients achieve better, faster recoveries.”
A Kansas City, Kan., native, DeLeon earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Baker University.
Karen Paciero, Chief Advancement Officer
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Karen Paciero takes over the role of chief advancement officer from Laura Ferrio, a four-decade veteran of Shirley Ryan 小恩雅 who currently serves as its chief operating officer. Among other areas of focus, Paciero will lead the organization’s completion of its $100 million Accelerate Ability campaign.
“Throughout the course of our organization’s history, our donors have always answered the call to help support our ambitious goals,” said Dr. Celnik. “Now, as we finalize our strategic plan for the future, I am well aware that our bold vision will require even greater levels of investment from our donors. Karen is deeply passionate about the critical role philanthropy plays in transforming lives and communities, and I am eager for her to connect with key stakeholders internally and externally.”
Most recently, Paciero led all development efforts for Loyola University Chicago. There, she built a high-performing, data-driven advancement and alumni engagement program, growing annual average fundraising performance by 60%. She also was instrumental in securing a $100 million gift, the largest in the university’s history. Prior, she served as associate vice president-Individual Giving for UChicago Medicine, where she led a team of more than 30 to raise $100 million annually in philanthropic gifts that advanced science and clinical care. Earlier in her career, she worked in a variety of development roles for Feeding America and St. Jude’s Research Hospital.
“I am thrilled to join this iconic and innovative organization at such an exciting time,” said Paciero. “Through robust development efforts, I am eager to partner with the team to help support Shirley Ryan 小恩雅’s mission and patients into the future.”
Paciero earned her master’s degree from University of Michigan and her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.
