The Company

History of The Children's Heart Foundation

The story of The Children’s Heart Foundation begins with the joyful life and premature death of Sam Peterson, who was born with congenital heart defects.

Sam, the 8-year-old son of Betsy and Steve Peterson, died on January 3, 1995, of multiple organ failures brought on by a sudden heart-related collapse. Doctors were never able to explain why Sam was born with complex CHDs or why he collapsed so suddenly.

If Sam had been born 20 years earlier, he wouldn’t have survived even a day after his birth. During his short life, Sam proved that modern technology could conquer congenital heart defects, even if only for a while.

With the support of family and friends, and an understanding of the gift given to them because of research, Betsy and Steve bravely responded to their loss by creating The Children’s Heart Foundation. Friends, colleagues, and leading medical professionals formed the Board of Directors, and the Foundation was incorporated in Illinois in June of 1996.

It’s only through continued research that children born with CHDs have the chance to survive, which is why The Children's Heart Foundation is dedicated to funding this critical research.

About The Children's Heart Foundation

The Children's Heart Foundation was founded in 1996 and is the country's leading organization solely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect (CHD) research.

Our mission is to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects by funding the most promising research.

To date, through 2023, The Children’s Heart Foundation has funded nearly $18 million of CHD research and scientific collaborations— driving breakthroughs that have improved survival rates, longevity, and quality of life for individuals living with CHDs in dramatic and life-changing ways. In many cases, we’ve provided start-up funding for research that have gone on to earn support from larger entities such as the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Defense, along with pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries. The research we fund is truly moving the needle.

It’s only through continued research that children born with CHDs have the chance to survive, which is why The Children's Heart Foundation is dedicated to funding this critical research.

About Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems present at birth that affect the structure and function of the heart. CHDs are America’s most common birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 babies each year in the U.S alone. This equates to 1 child every 15 minutes. 

CHD Research

The Children’s Heart Foundation exists for one reason: to fund the most promising congenital heart defect (CHD) research. Our vision is a world in which everyone born with a congenital heart defect has the chance to live a long, healthy life, and that eventually, CHDs will be eradicated altogether. CHF has four prongs of funding research including independent research funding, partnerships with the American Heart Association and Cardiac Networks United and a commitment to fund early career researchers. With the help of our volunteers and supporters, we are making great progress. Successful examples of CHF’s research funding include the Fontan pump, chest tube research, CPR research and a significant number of other initiatives. CHD research is heavily underfunded, particularly in children, and CHF works to illuminate the need for pediatric and underrepresented population research. More information on CHF’s almost $18M of funding support to 160 research projects and collaborations can be found here – Children’s Heart | Research & Impact | Funded CHD Research. 

We recognize CHD research has not adequately addressed these disparities, and that among researchers, underrepresented minorities face additional challenges in obtaining research funding. We are committed to ensuring that our research efforts and dollars support addressing CHD health disparities and CHD researchers from underrepresented groups.

These are the first steps in our commitment to working toward more diverse representation and equity in CHD research. Our ongoing commitment will ultimately advance the mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation, helping the 2-3 million Americans impacted by CHD live longer, healthier lives.

An example of the impact our research has had on the field can be found here – Advancements in surgery for babies with CHDs. 

CHD Health Disparities

We acknowledge significant disparities in CHD in the longevity of life and operative mortality rates across diverse populations. We are committed to creating new tools and partnerships to help address those disparities that lead to disproportionate suffering and deaths among people of color.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs by funding the most promising research. Our hope is that all children impacted by CHDs can live long, healthy lives. The Children’s Heart Foundation recognizes that CHD families span across all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, languages, sexual orientations, national origins, and physical and cognitive abilities. We proudly celebrate diversity and recognize the need for representation and anti-racist efforts to achieve equity within The Children’s Heart Foundation and the field of CHD research. We pledge to work to create a more inclusive and equitable foundation for CHD patients, their families and caregivers, and CHD researchers.

Representation

We understand that representation makes a difference in care and will play a part in eradicating racial health disparities in the CHD population. We recognize that the makeup of The Children’s Heart Foundation is not fully representative of the communities we serve and are committed to improving diversity and inclusion in our governing bodies, staff, and leadership at all levels.

The Opportunity

Position: Chief Executive Officer 

Location: Chicago, Illinois or Remote

Reporting Relationship: Board of Directors 

Website: https://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/

Purpose of the Position

The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization and its primary objective to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects (CHD) by funding the most promising research. This executive with be CHF’s primary spokesperson to all external and internal stakeholders, while focused on the continued growth and diversification of partnerships. The Chief Executive Officer will report to the Board of Directors and manage a leadership team including a Director of Executive, Region, and Volunteer Services, Director of Marketing and Communications, National Director of Development, and a Senior Director of Finance and Operations. 

The successful candidate will have experience working closely with a Board of Directors on a variety of issues, a track record in strategic planning and execution, a breadth of fundraising experience across different avenues, and a passion for the healthcare industry and potential impact of promising research. 

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

 Establish current and long-range objectives, plans and policies, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, with special focus on funding research. 

 Advises, guides, directs and authorizes major plans and organization procedures, consistent with established policies and Board approval.

 Plans and directs the appropriate staffing of the organization to perform operational activities in an effective and efficient manner.

 Oversee the adequacy, accuracy and sustainability of the organization’s financial structure.

 Reviews the operating results of the organization, compares them to established objectives and takes steps to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results.

 Establishes and maintains an effective system of communication throughout the organization.

 Ensure ongoing national programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, governance, and systems.

 Grow and develop an exceptional staff team, providing oversight, management, and professional development opportunities, and a spirit of engagement and work in learning and helping with specific staff functions.

 Perform staff reviews and monthly coaching sessions with an eye towards the discussion of professional goals and process improvement.

 Ability to roll up one’s sleeves in functional areas where additional assistance is needed to meet tight deadlines.

Revenue Generation and Disbursement

 Plans and directs all fundraising and operational activities providing income to the organization. 

 Directs the day-to-day financial stability of the organization by managing income and expenses to result in funds to be used for research grants.

 Plans and directs the process for the Medical Advisory Board to receive, review and issue research grants in line with the organization’s mission.

 Represents the organization with major donors, volunteers, the financial community, and the public.

 Lead all high‐level fundraising for CHF, cultivating and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors and sponsors.

 Guide communications effectively, efficiently and very positively with all staff, board members, donors, region leaders, and stakeholders for CHF to continue to grow, increase our ability to fund the most promising research for congenital heart disease.

 Get involved in the details of the processes for developing our regions, our volunteers’ network, and our staff to optimize output and increase our donations.

 Guide the growth and sustainability of CHF and oversee the development of systems and policies to support this structure.

 Establish our % per $ raised / $ to research goal within 5 years to continue the focus on funding as much research as possible. CHF currently sits at 45% $ raised / $ to research and is hoping to moving to 50% by the end of 2025

Board Relations

 Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; serve as ex‐ officio of the Board and its committees; seek and build board engagement with strategic direction.

 Ensure the fiscal integrity of CHF, including annual budgeting and regular financial reporting to the Board.

 Lead the staff and the Board in the establishment of new and sustainable sources of revenue for the organization, with a particular focus on developing strategic partnerships nationally.

 Ensure positive staff interaction and support among all members, provide opportunities for open communication and time for brainstorming.

 Work with the Board on Program expenses, and the best mix of those combined with research funded.

The Candidate

Qualifications

The Children’s Heart Foundation seeks an enthusiastic leader who values and embodies CHF’s mission is to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects by funding the most promising research. The ideal leader is dynamic, outgoing, and has extensive executive experience in the non-profit sector. The Chief Executive Office will be the primary ambassador of CHF, bringing vision and strategy to guide the organization forward, coupled with the business acumen and cultural awareness to further develop the organization.

Specific experience, qualifications and characteristics sought include:

 At least 7-10 years of senior leadership experience with oversight across multiple functional areas.

 Proven track record in non-profits across any thematic area. Healthcare and/or research experience is highly desired.

 Demonstrated track record of individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising.

 Strong fiscal management experience, including budgetary oversight and ideally, prior experience working with an organization’s finance/audit/investment committee. 

 Comfort and track record providing interviews to news outlets, campaigning at events, and pushing policy initiatives forward at the local, state, and federal level.

 Exceptional verbal and written communications skills. Excitement for the mission and potential of Children’s Heart Foundation and the desire to develop its relationships across a broad range of stakeholders.

 A track-record of strategic development and deployment, integrating creative and new ideas to an organization.

 Energy, drive, and passion for continuous improvement, both personal and at an enterprise level. Commitment to staff development. 

 Unquestionable professional ethics.

Education and/or Experience 

 A master’s degree in related thematic area is preferred. A bachelor's degree or significant translatable experience will be considered.

Compensation

 A competitive compensation package will be provided to the finalist candidate. The estimated base compensation range is $175,000 - $200,000 with bonus opportunity. 

 ******

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.