Shelter Youth & Family Services Names Kristen Daniels New CEO

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Shelter Youth & Family Services has named Kristen Daniels its next chief executive officer, completing a leadership transition that began after longtime CEO Carina H. Santa Maria announced plans to step down.

Daniels, currently Shelter's chief development officer, will take over Oct. 1. Santa Maria's tenure concludes Sept. 30.

Daniels will become only the fourth CEO in Shelter's 51-year history.

RELATED: Shelter CEO To Step Down Amid State Senate Run

Santa Maria announced in 2025 that she would run for the Illinois Senate’s 27th District. Shelter's board later said she would transition from the CEO role in September while the organization carried out an executive search and succession process.

Before joining Shelter, Daniels served as executive director of Bernie’s Book Bank. Over the past year, she has worked alongside Santa Maria, the board, Executive Director of Programs Gina Ciulla and Shelter’s leadership team.

"The greatest gift of the last year has been the time to learn Shelter deeply," Daniels said. "I have come to know our people, our programs, and the communities we serve."

Daniels said that transition period has given her a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Leadership Transition

Shelter Board President Lindsay Tintera said Daniels spent the past year building relationships throughout the organization.

"Kristen has spent the past year listening, learning, and building trust," Tintera said. "She understands the people, purpose, and programs that make Shelter strong."

Santa Maria has led Shelter since 2018. During her tenure, the organization expanded services and capacity, strengthened community partnerships and improved its financial sustainability, according to Shelter.

The nonprofit also recently opened what it describes as Illinois’' first Department of Children and Family Services-licensed residential program dedicated to youth survivors of human trafficking.

"I am handing over something that means so much to me to someone I fully trust," Santa Maria said. "To leave something you love in the hands of someone you know will do wonderful things is more than I could have hoped for."

Daniels said she intends to build on the organization’s existing foundation while continuing to evaluate community needs.

"We have an extraordinary team and a solid foundation," Daniels said. "That gives us the opportunity to listen closely to what the community needs and make thoughtful decisions about how our programs can grow and evolve."

Founded in 1975, Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, transitional living, foster care, home visiting, human trafficking survivor support and clinical services for youth and families throughout the Chicago area.

More information is available at shelter-inc.org.