Waukesha-based nonprofit organization
La Casa de Esperanza has promoted its chief operating officer
Shari Campbell to chief executive officer.
The board selected Campbell following a national search to fill the opening created by former CEO Anselmo Villarreal’s resignation earlier this year. Villarreal
left the organization after leading it for 31 years to become president and CEO of national social justice nonprofit group Southwest Key, based in Austin, Texas.
Campbell has served as interim president and CEO of La Casa since then.
La Casa’s search committee and full board of directors were unanimous in selecting Campbell as its next leader.
“I am grateful for the trust the board has put in me, and I look forward to the future with optimism,” Campbell said. “A good deal of that optimism is based on knowing that La Casa already has a great senior leadership team in place, and I look forward to continuing to work with them. The past year has been challenging for everyone, and La Casa could not continue to be successful without having this strong team in place.”
The organization operates a variety of programs that serve Waukesha’s low-income and Hispanic community, including housing services, a Head Start program, charter school, a center for financial stability and weatherization services.
“Shari Campbell is the right person at the right time for the top position at La Casa de Esperanza,” said Rudy Gutierrez, chairperson of the La Casa board and small business sales manager at U.S. Bank. “She has done a great job serving as the interim leader for the past nine months, and her efforts to promote safety and continue services during the pandemic have been outstanding. She has demonstrated her abilities as an accomplished servant leader, and La Casa is glad to have her formally take the reins of the agency. Shari has our full support as she leads La Casa.”
Campbell has worked at La Casa for 21 years and has been involved in big projects including the organization’s charter school, housing services, and Head Start and financial stability programs. She’s held multiple roles with the organization prior to COO, including director of programs and director of development.
“The past year has been a challenge for everyone, and Shari has done a remarkable job in leading the effort at La Casa to foster hope, provide opportunity, and help build a prosperous, engaged, and connected community,” said Villarreal, who was on the search committee. “La Casa will continue to flourish and meet its goals and objectives with Shari as its leader.”
