Turning Point Behavioral Health welcomes new CEO
Welcoming Sylvia Zaldivar
Turning Point Behavioral Health is announcing the appointment of Sylvia M. Zaldivar as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Sylvia will report to the Turning Point Board of Directors and serve as the organization’s chief executive, responsible for leading its strategic vision, operational growth, and community impact. The executive search, led by KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy and Senior Project Manager Randi Blasutti, reflects the success of the partnership between Turning Point Behavioral Health and KEES.
Sylvia most recently served as Executive Director of the Health Foundation of Cook County, where she successfully built the organization’s infrastructure, increased revenue through new projects and events, and deepened the foundation’s partnership with Cook County Health to increase opportunities and the impact of its programs. Sylvia’s work at the Health Foundation highlighted a focus on community-centered solutions, including awarding millions of dollars in scholarships to aspiring health professionals and launching a pilot program to provide paid internships to Community Health Workers.
“Throughout her career, Sylvia has stood with our neighbors on the margins – the poor, minorities, domestic violence survivors, justice involved families, immigrants and many who are at a low point in their lives,” said Randy Roberts, President of the Turning Point Behavioral Health Board of Directors. “Her unique blend of deep clinical experience and exceptional track record of leadership and stewarding millions in resources to create transformational initiatives makes her an excellent match to guide Turning Point Behavioral Health into its next chapter. We are confident that Sylvia’s lived experience as the proud daughter of Cuban refugees, her lifelong service to our neighbors, and her passion for community-centered solutions will deeply enrich all those we serve and strengthen our impact.”
Sylvia brings a strong track record of success in both nonprofits and philanthropy and has served as the inaugural executive director for several organizations including The Lake County Community Foundation and Maestro Cares Foundation. Before the Health Foundation of Cook County, Sylvia served as WINGS first Chief Development Officer, leading a team that significantly increased revenue, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, a critical time for an agency serving survivors of domestic violence. Her extensive leadership history also includes seven years working abroad in Latin America as a consultant and senior advisor to several nonprofits, foundations and families, and leading the creation and launch of The Chicago Community Trust’s first identity-focused funds, The African American Legacy, and Nuestro Futuro. Before her roles in executive leadership, Sylvia was a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and began her career as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Cook County, Illinois.
“Returning to the behavioral health space in a clinical setting feels like a full circle moment,” said Sylvia. “Turning Point plays a critical role in the communities I grew up in and love, and I am honored to lead the organization at such a pivotal time, and to continue the legacy established over 30 years by Ann Raney. I am excited to work alongside Turning Point Behavioral Health’s incredibly dedicated staff to ensure our communities always have a safe, reliable place to turn for care.”
Sylvia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mundelein College and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Illinois Institute of Technology. She has a Graduate Certificate from Loyola University in Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy, and was one of the state’s first clinicians to achieve licensure in 1992.
The search was conducted in partnership with KEES, a premier executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organizations and nonprofit CEO search. The process attracted a highly talented and diverse pool of candidates from across the nation. The search was led by Board President Randy Roberts and supported by Search Committee members Nives Bernardi, Brian Clarke, Marge Kray, and David Rosario. Sylvia will come in to lead forward after Ann Fisher Raney, who served as CEO for a quarter of a century, and was with Turning Point for over 3 decades, retired on June 30, 2026.
“Sylvia is a dynamic executive leader who brings an understanding of both the funding and operational sides of the nonprofit sector, as well as clinical mental health,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “Her extensive history of leading organizations through key growth transitions and forging meaningful stakeholder relationships makes Sylvia the perfect match for Turning Point’s mission. The KEES team proudly congratulates both Turning Point and Sylvia on this exciting new chapter of leadership and community impact.”
About Turning Point Behavioral Health
In operation for over 55 years, Turning Point Behavioral Health is a non-profit outpatient mental health center serving children and adults, with a mission to provide solid support when and where it is needed most. An award-winning agency, Turning Point annually serves over 1,000 children and adults from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately 94% of whom are low-income. Headquartered in Skokie, Turning Point maintains an additional location in Evanston.
