Make-A-Wish® Illinois CEO Stephanie Springs Announces Retirement After 20 Years of Transformative Leadership
CHICAGO (September 24, 2025) – After 20 years leading Make-A-Wish Illinois, Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Springs has announced her plan to retire in early 2026. A valued leader at the local chapter and amongst the Make-A-Wish enterprise nationwide, Springs’ time with the organization saw the chapter grow exponentially while staying centered on the mission of granting a life-changing wish to every child with an eligible condition.
Starting in 2005 when the chapter covered only a portion of Illinois, Springs helped to transform the strategic direction, building a strong board and deep community connections that enabled the organization to deliver more wishes each year and substantially increase fundraising revenue. With Springs at the helm, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted nearly 14,000 wishes since 2005 and doubled the annual operating budget, all while raising the revenue needed to sustain this prolonged period of growth. In fiscal year 2025, Make-A-Wish Illinois granted 709 wishes across the state with an operating budget of $12M, making it one of the largest chapters across the global Make-A-Wish enterprise.
"Stephanie has had a legendary run as CEO of Make-A-Wish Illinois, overseeing remarkable growth during her tenure,” said Tom South, chair of the board of directors for Make-A-Wish Illinois. “The Foundation has delivered thousands of wishes to children facing life's most difficult challenges, and the hope and joy she’s delivered is immeasurable. We are thrilled that Stephanie is helping us search for someone to help carry on the mission about which she cares so deeply."
“Working with so many to provide a magical wish experience for the incredible wish children across the state of Illinois has been a privilege and life-changing gift,” Spring shared on her experience.
Prior to joining Make-A-Wish Illinois, Springs spent 30 years at Sears Roebuck and Co in information technology leadership. With a lifelong passion for serving the community, Springs also held several volunteer leadership positions at organizations including the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Illinois Crossroads Girl Scout Council and the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois in Champaign and an MBA at Loyola University in Chicago.
Springs will continue in her role as the Board of Directors, in partnership with the search firm DSG | Koya and Make-A-Wish America, conduct a nationwide search for the next CEO.
For information on the unique opportunity to lead one of the most successful chapters in the Make-A-Wish network into its next era of growth, innovation, and impact, visit the position profile on the DSG | Koya website.