Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits President and CEO of Cara Collective
May 11, 2026 – Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Karin Norington-Reaves as president and CEO of Cara Collective in Chicago. “This is a defining moment for Cara Collective,” said J. Todd Phillips, chair of Cara Collective’s board of directors. “Karin was selected from a national search conducted by a special committee of the Cara board of directors supported by executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates. She brings the strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment needed to build on our 35‑year legacy while accelerating the organization into its next era. The board is excited to work alongside Karin and the entire Cara team as we position Cara Collective for continued growth, innovation, and lasting impact.”
Ms. Norington-Reaves is a lifelong public servant with more than 30 years of experience in education, law, advocacy, and community development. She was the founding CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership in 2012. Under her leadership, the partnership helped more than 100,000 people gain employment, collaborated with 2,000+ employers, managed over $500 million in federal funds, and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic funds. Most recently, Ms. Norington-Reaves served as CEO of i.c. stars, a workforce development organization preparing underrepresented people for careers in technology.
Prior to her time at Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Ms. Norington-Reaves served as director of Cook County Works, deputy director of the office of Urban Assistance for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and chief of staff for the City of Chicago’s 20th Ward. She spent eight years as a litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, and the Citizens Utility Board in the fields of mental health law, education, contracts, and public utility consumer protection.
“Since my first visit in 2008, I’ve admired the heart, humanity, and impact of Cara Collective’s work,” said Ms. Norington-Reaves. “Cara embodies the values that matter most to me: investing deeply in people, challenging outdated notions of who gets access to opportunity, and expanding economic mobility for all. I’m honored to join this remarkable team and excited to help shape what comes next, together.”
Ms. Norington-Reaves’ civic engagement includes service as a member of the Cook County Economic Development Advisory Committee; the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation; the board of advisors for LISC Chicago; the board of trustees for the Workforce Development Council of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; the board of directors of the Chicago Lighthouse; the board of the National Retail Federation Foundation; the board of Access Living; board of directors of Empower Illinois, board chair of the Untapped Potential Project; the board of Thrive Chicago and the board of mothers2mothers.
Cara Collective seeks to fuel a courageous national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty. Through their three entities they engage job seekers, employers, and other organizations across the country to break the cycle of poverty through the power of employment. Since 1991, they’ve helped more than 10,800 people get placed into more than 17,300 jobs and get started on their path to lasting success.
Related: Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits CEO for Uplift Education
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Its 520-plus consultants in 47 offices work with public, private, and non-profit organizations across all industries and regions. The firm also conducts in-depth organizational culture assessment and measures the cultural fit of key leadership and candidates in the following areas: arts and culture, global development, higher education, non-profit health and human services, public sector, social justice and advocacy, as well as trade and professional associations.
Russell Reynolds Associates offers specialized executive search and leadership advisory services for higher education institutions, focusing on finding “future-fit” leaders for colleges, universities, and academic medical centers. They assist with presidential searches, dean appointments, and key functional leadership roles.
University of Buffalo Search
Russell Reynolds Associates was recently tapped by the University of Buffalo (UB) to lead in its search for its 16th president. Satish K. Tripathi has announced that he will step down next July. Jett Pihakis, Steve Newton, and Joi Hayes-Scott are leading the assignment. The presidential search committee is composed of a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community representatives. “Jett brings extensive experience in recruiting senior administrators, and his knowledge of our university will make him a highly effective partner throughout this process,” said Jerry Jacobs, chair of the presidential search committee and chair, UB council. “The search committee will begin its work immediately. We will provide updates on the committee’s progress throughout the search, and additional information will be available on the search website.”
The next president will assume leadership of the 179-year-old institution at an important stage in its history. UB ’s next president will provide visionary direction as a SUNY Flagship university and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. As UB ’s chief executive officer, the president reports directly to the chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) and will engage the UB community in the university’s vision and strategic plan for the future.
Related: Russell Reynolds Associates Assists Shatterproof with CEO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
