Pathlights names new executive director

From staff reports

Elaine Grande has been appointed Executive Director by Pathlights’ Board of Directors effective May 30.

Grande brings more than 30 years of successful leadership experience and becomes only the third Executive Director in the Palos Heights nonprofit’s 46-year history. She currently leads all Pathlights program and services as Director of Program Development and has been with the nonprofit for more than 20 years, working across every department including specialist and supervisory roles in Advocacy & Benefits, Housing, and Care Coordination.

Stephen Sutera, Chair of Pathlights’ Board of Directors, says that the board has spent the past few months reviewing candidates who exemplify the leadership qualities consistent with the culture and mission of Pathlights.

“It was clear that Elaine Grande was the perfect choice for this significant role. She brings strong skills and deep experience, is a highly respected mentor to staff, and best known for her kind and caring approach with everyone in the community,” says Sutera. “She has been working in lock step with Ken Grunke, Pathlights’ Executive Director for the past five years, and we are confident it will be a very smooth transition for the organization when Ken departs to focus his time and effort on the care and wellbeing of an aging loved one out of state.”

“I’m thrilled to take on this new role and continue working alongside an amazing team who are deeply committed to help people on the aging journey,” says Grande. “Community service is my passion and I look forward to advancing the organization in the years ahead.”

Grande, a native of Ireland, lives in Oak Forest with her husband, two daughters and son. She is a graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology and has experience living and working in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the U.S.

Pathlights has been helping guide communities along the path to aging for 46 years. More than 16,000 individuals in 20 communities throughout the southwest suburbs of Cook County use its services annually.

The nonprofit helps guide adults 60 years and older, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families, and friends by providing resources, advocacy, programs and services needed to remain living in the community.

Services include home-delivered meals and safety checks, in-home services, support groups, education, and Respite for caregivers, protection from abuse, access to benefits for health insurance, SNAP, energy, transportation, and property tax savings, assistance needed for safe transition from hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, shared housing, and general information about resources.

No other organization in the area provides such comprehensive and coordinated services, at no charge.

For more information, visit www.pathlights.org or call 708-361-0219.