Longtime Center on Halsted CEO Modesto Tico Valle is leaving his post, according to organization officials.
Board Chair Victor Ravago announced Valle's departure in a March 10 statement:
"I share with you today that Modesto Tico Valle will be departing from his role as CEO of Center on Halsted after a long and storied tenure as its leader for the last 15 years.
"… Tico went on leave back in November of 2022, which turned into a period of reflection for both the Board and Tico, and through conversations and mutual understanding, it was decided that the time had come to pass the torch on to the next generation of leaders at the Center."
Editha Paras, the Center's chief program officer, and Brad Snyder, its chief development officer, will serve as interim co-CEOs while the organization searches for a new leader, Ravago said.
He added, "Over the months ahead, we look forward to engaging with staff, program participants, community leaders, donors, board members and alumni, partners in government, and other key stakeholders to ensure we fully understand the evolving needs of our Chicagoland LGBTQ+ community, especially as we face heightened violence and persecution both locally and nationally. … The learnings from this stakeholder engagement will help shape an inclusive and equitable national search to find the right leadership to help us meet these needs going forward."
Valle sometimes had tumultuous relationships with staff and community members, but he had a marked commitment to the Center itself, as Ravago noted.
"[Valle] leaves the organization in a position of strength and in the steady hands of a new senior leadership team," he said. "It was his idea to grow the corps of leaders at the helm of the Center, beginning a process back in 2021 to ensure that the Center had leadership who could steer the Center in a positive, healthy direction."
Valle later posted a message on Facebook about his departure on March 10:
"After 20+ years of service to Horizons Community Services and Center on Halsted, I am stepping away from the CEO position, effective March 1, 2023, that I have so proudly held for many years.
"In 2021, working with the Board, we began planning for the next generation of COH Leadership and, in 2022, we started the onboarding of new Leadership Team members. Since then, these additions have helped deliver on our mission and have risen as leaders passionate about defining the next chapter of COH.
"…There are so many memories, friends, donors, volunteers, and clients that I will forever be grateful to. I have been blessed. I thank you all and look forward to the next chapter of my life. Continue to be the extraordinary people you are, working to be recognized as human first. Continue to be innovative in your approach to serve the community. And continue to challenge this world to respect and believe that Love is Love is Love. Know that I will not be far and will always be engaged in the work of our community."
Ravago's entire statement follows. Windy City Times will continue to report on this story as it develops.
A Letter from the Chair of Center on Halsted's Board of Directors, Victor H. Ravago
I share with you today that Modesto Tico Valle will be departing from his role as CEO of Center on Halsted after a long and storied tenure as its leader for the last 15 years.
An entire generation of Center on Halsted staff, community members, and partners have seen the Center grow into what it is today under his leadership. I thank him sincerely on behalf of the Board for his service, his contributions, and the foundation he helped build here at the Center to ensure its sustainability and ability to serve countless more generations of Chicagoans who will find community here.
Tico went on leave back in November of 2022, which turned into a period of reflection for both the Board and Tico, and through conversations and mutual understanding, it was decided that the time had come to pass the torch on to the next generation of leaders at the Center.
He leaves the organization in a position of strength and in the steady hands of a new senior leadership team. It was his idea to grow the corps of leaders at the helm of the Center, beginning a process back in 2021 to ensure that the Center had leadership who could steer the Center in a positive, healthy direction.
Tico touched so many and impacted so much of what the Center is today, and it is hard to imagine what the Center will look like without him here. However, there inevitably comes a time in which change is necessary to ensure that the next generation of leaders are prepared to take on the evolving challenges of today and tomorrow. He'll always be a crucial part of the Center's legacy and work in providing critical services for our community.
In the interim, our seasoned leaders Editha Paras, Chief Program Officer, and Brad Snyder, Chief Development Officer, will continue serving as Interim Co-CEOs to ensure stability and growth in the Center's programs and services during the period of transition.
Over the months ahead, we look forward to engaging with staff, program participants, community leaders, donors, board members and alumni, partners in government, and other key stakeholders to ensure we fully understand the evolving needs of our Chicagoland LGBTQ+ community, especially as we face heightened violence and persecution both locally and nationally.
We will work to strengthen all of our programming and ensure we're meeting the needs of all our community members, from youth to seniors, and commit to deepening our work with transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community members who face increased threats. Our goal is to make Chicago a safe place for LGBTQ+ people of all backgrounds, and we can't do that without the voices of those who it is our mission to serve — the community. The learnings from this stakeholder engagement will help shape an inclusive and equitable national search to find the right leadership to help us meet these needs going forward.
I know Tico will share his reflections on his tenure with you all soon. I look forward to a bright future ahead for Center on Halsted, shaped through community input and a shared belief in continuing to work together to meet whatever challenges the future holds.
Sincerely,
Victor Ravago, Chair
Board of Directors, Center on Halsted
