About
Kellie O’Connell serves as Lakeview Pantry’s Chief Executive Officer. In her role as CEO she works in partnership with the Board of Directors to design, communicate, and implement the strategic vision of the organization. Kellie leads a staff of 20 and leverages the efforts of nearly 4,000 volunteers to distribute over 1.4 million meals to the North Side’s low-income residents every year. With an annual budget of over $5 million, Kellie is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization, ensuring delivery of the highest quality services to the Pantry’s most vulnerable neighbors, while safeguarding its financial stability.Kellie joined the organization in January of 2016. During her first years in the role, she successfully closed a capital campaign; renovated and moved to a larger, permanent headquarters; and doubled the Pantry’s geographic service area encapsulating the majority of the North Side of Chicago. As a result, Lakeview Pantry increased its clients served by 25% and revenue by 65%. In addition to the three core food programs, the Pantry also expanded its social service programs and added behavioral health offerings.
Kellie comes to Lakeview Pantry with over 18 years in the nonprofit sector. She was most recently Director of Advancement at Northwestern Settlement House. Prior to joining the Settlement, Kellie was a consultant for various nonprofits and government agencies, and spent eight years at the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), the nation’s third largest public housing authority, including serving as the Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and Public Affairs.
Kellie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago. As a Chicago native, Kellie loves spending her spare time in the city she grew up in, exploring everything it has to offer with her daughter, Brennan.
