Washington, ComEd Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, to Support Nonprofit’s next phase of growth
CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (ChicagoCAC) announced today that Melissa Washington has been elected to serve as President of the nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors. Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives for ComEd (an Exelon company), will serve a three-year term effective July 1, 2024.
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center is the city’s front-line responder to reports of child sexual abuse. Since its founding in 2001, the organization has served more than 50,000 children by providing services and resources to support children and families in healing from abuse and restoring their lives.
“Melissa has been a member of our Board since 2013 and has served in various leadership roles including chairing our development committee and Luminary Award Dinner host committee,” said Char Rivette, ChicagoCAC CEO. “Because of her longevity and unwavering commitment to support, Melissa has a remarkable depth of understanding about where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re going. Melissa believes in our vision, and I’m honored to have her leadership now as board president. I look forward to actively working together to expand our mission and propel our agency into the next phase of growth and impact for the city of Chicago.”
Washington joined Exelon in 2003 and has held several roles of increasing responsibility for Exelon and ComEd throughout her tenure with the company. In her current role as Senior Vice President, Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives, she oversees all aspects of ComEd’s customer operations, including its energy efficiency programs, customer channels and related technology, large customer services, customer call center, field operations and customer financial operations.
Outside of ChicagoCAC, Washington also serves as a board member of the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Civic Consulting Alliance, and Smart Electric Power Alliance, as well as board chair of Leadership Greater Chicago, where she is also a fellow. Washington earned her MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Lewis University.
Washington succeeds Justin Hoss, Global Lead Partner, KPMG LLP, who served as ChicagoCAC’s board president since 2017.
“I am thrilled to welcome Melissa as the new board president of Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center,” said Hoss. “She brings a wealth of experience, a compassionate heart, and a visionary mindset to the role. Under her board leadership, we are confident that ChicagoCAC will reach new heights in making a meaningful impact for the children in the Chicago community.”
Melissa is the first woman and first African American to serve as President of the Board of Directors for Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. During her term, she will support and provide oversight for the agency’s governing operations and strategic initiatives including donor cultivation, annual fundraising events, and the launch of Chicago Advocacy Network for Hope (CAN Hope), a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary, co-located center that ChicagoCAC is opening to provide services to adult survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
“It is an honor to support the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (Chicago CAC), an organization dedicated to protecting the safety, well-being, and futures of Chicago’s children,” said Washington. “Chicago CAC’s mission to reduce trauma for children by bringing together child protection staff, law enforcement, medical experts, family advocates, and mental health professionals aligns with ComEd’s commitment to supporting our communities. I am proud to serve on the board and contribute to Chicago CAC’s efforts alongside their dedicated team.”
To learn more about Melissa or for more information about Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, go to www.chicagocac.org.
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About Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and its partners are the front-line responders in Chicago to reports of child sexual abuse and other serious child maltreatment. Since opening in 2001, the organization has served more than 50,000 children and provided sexual harm prevention education to thousands of adults and students.