WASHINGTON D.C. - January 30, 2012 - Mark Ishaug is stepping down as President and CEO of AIDS United, effective February 29, 2012. Ishaug has accepted a position as Chief Executive Officer of Thresholds, a Chicago-based non-profit focused on serving persons with mental illness.
Following Ishaug's departure, Victor Barnes, Senior Vice President, will serve as Interim President and CEO. The Board of Trustees expects to commence a process to select a permanent President and CEO shortly.
"AIDS United has had a phenomenal inaugural year, and Mark has been a tremendous leader. We understand and respect his decision to pursue a new position that brings him back to his home state and his family," said Douglas Brooks, Chair of AIDS United's Board of Trustees. "I am confident that Victor Barnes and the AIDS United staff are well positioned to build on our 2011 successes, begin implementation of our three-year strategic plan, and advance our ambitious mission to end AIDS in this country."
AIDS United was launched in January, 2011 from the merger of two leading national HIV/AIDS organizations, The National AIDS Fund and AIDS Action, uniting the core strengths of strategic grantmaking and capacity-building with HIV/AIDS policy expertise. In 2011 the organization cultivated an unprecedented number of public and private sector partnerships - with investments totaling over $6M - that directly support its programs and policy work and advance the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. AIDS United also launched the first two of several planned regional advocacy networks to mobilize communities most vulnerable to the epidemic around local, state and regional policy that impacts people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
To learn more or to support AIDS United programs, visit www.aidsunited.org .
Thresholds names new Chief Executive Officer, veteran Chicago human services leader Mark Ishaug
CHICAGO — Thresholds, Chicago's oldest and largest provider of comprehensive services for people with severe mental illness, announced the appointment of Mark Ishaug as its new CEO. Mr. Ishaug will assume his duties in March.
Ishaug currently serves as President and CEO of AIDS United in Washington, D.C., and previously served as the President and CEO of AIDS Foundation of Chicago. He joined the AIDS Foundation in 1991 as its public affairs officer and assumed the role of President and CEO in 1998, a position he held until February of 2011 when he joined AIDS United in Washington.
Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS that collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy.
Mike Szkatulski of Mesirow Financial and President of Thresholds' board of directors called Ishaug's appointment "visionary," and he cited Ishaug's inspired and dedicated leadership to the Chicago social service community as a driving force behind the decision to hire.
"Mark has a long history of service to Chicago," Szkatulski said. "He has a proven track record within the community, building public/private partnerships and fighting stigma and discrimination among vulnerable populations. His experience parallels the work we do at Thresholds. We are honored to have him join our leadership team to bring his expertise and impressive tenure within the Chicago social service community."
During Ishaug's work with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, he grew the agency significantly — more than doubling its budget and staff, as well as increasing programs and housing options for those with HIV and AIDS. Ishaug's work came at a critical time for HIV and AIDS organizations around the country, as efforts to thwart and treat the disease were bolstered by new treatments and medications that changed HIV and AIDS from a fatal affliction to a manageable, chronic illness.
Just as with HIV treatment, mental health services are now bolstered by more effective community interventions in addition to the life-changing medications, housing services and therapeutic care championed by Thresholds. However, mental health policy within Illinois and nationally have yet to catch up with established best practices in the field.
"We know that Mark is adept in helping change the course of public health policy," Szkatulski said. "And we are confident that he will lead Thresholds energetically in the changing climate of mental health treatment and integrated care."
Ishaug echoed Szkatulski's sentiment, and he said that Thresholds will continue being a state-wide and national leader in comprehensive behavioral healthcare for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
"I am honored and excited to lead Thresholds through this dynamic period," Ishaug said. "The economic and political environment is challenging, but the opportunities are abundant. We will seize these opportunities to ensure persons with severe mental illnesses will receive the services they need and deserve."
Ronald B. Grais, a former Thresholds Board President, also lauded Ishaug's deep understanding of Chicago's social service community and dedication to the city's most vulnerable populations.
"I'm ecstatic to have Mark come on board," Grais said. "He is a charismatic, strategic and visionary leader who will guide this successful organization into new territory. He will help Thresholds continue its transition into an organization that is an international leader in behavioral health care, while maintaining our position as one of Chicago's leading provider of human services. We are thrilled to have him."
Thresholds will host a more formal reception to welcome Ishaug in the spring. If you wish to interview Ishaug, Szkatulski or Grais for a news story, please contact Daniel Billingsley, Director of Communications. For more information about Thresholds and its programs, visitwww.thresholds.org .
