President and CEO

President and CEO
AIDS Foundation Chicago

About AIDS Foundation Chicago

In 1985, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) was founded by four visionary Chicagoans who dared to bring dignity and human rights to the forefront of HIV services. Over these past four decades, their legacy has fed a movement that has grown in power and visibility. Today, AFC is a proud national leader on HIV care, housing, anti-racism, and advocacy, and a proud defender of hard-won progress.

Since its earliest days, the HIV movement has bravely confronted powerful interests and dreamed of a day when people living with HIV have justice and care, when there are no new HIV cases, and when people living with HIV will thrive. AFC dreams of an end to homelessness and an end to the structural inequities that fuel both HIV and housing instability.

For 40 years, AFC has dared to dream and transcend those that would stand in its way.

To realize its dreams, AFC serves over 8,000 people per year and partners with 60+ agencies to provide critical HIV and housing services. Programs include supportive services for people living with HIV, behavioral health services, and partnerships to mobilize priority communities and address social determinants of health.

Critical housing programs include eviction prevention services, linkage to resources, and rent support for people with chronic health conditions. Additionally, AFC serves as the parent organization to the Center for Housing and Health (CHH), a 501(c)(3) supporting organization. CHH reduces barriers to safe, affordable permanent housing and supports people experiencing homelessness to find better housing solutions.

AFC's programs and services are shaped by the following key strategic priorities:

Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL):
Leading the statewide implementation plan to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.

Housing as Healthcare:
Expanding supportive housing models through CHH that recognize stable housing as a fundamental prerequisite for viral suppression.

Equity & Justice:
Implementing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Plan across internal operations and external advocacy.

Diversified Funding:
Growing private philanthropy and corporate partnerships to complement government grants.

The Mission

AFC mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions.

Organizational Highlights

Founded: 1985

Annual Operating Budget: $44.5 million

Board of Directors: 23

Staff: 110

Headquarters:
Chicago

The Opportunity

After over 21 years with AFC, including 12 years as President and CEO, John Peller will step down in December 2026. He believes AFC is poised for new energy and ideas and ready for its next chapter. The Board and John have designed an intentional plan to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

The need for the right successor is especially important now. AFC serves thousands of people each year and manages more than $40 million in annual revenue, most of it from government grants. At the same time, the organization is working toward ambitious goals: ending the HIV epidemic, reducing homelessness, advancing racial equity, protecting access to care, and responding to a difficult and uncertain public funding environment.

At a time when the federal government has abandoned people living with HIV both at home and abroad, and when real and threatened funding cuts seek to silence dissent and reverse progress, AFC has resolved to keep fighting. This is a rare opportunity for an audacious, transformative leader to continue AFC's legacy of fortitude and realize the dream of ending the HIV epidemic.

The Position

Reporting to the AFC Board of Directors, the President and CEO will be a visionary, mission-driven executive responsible for the organization's full administrative, fiscal, and operational leadership. The new CEO will provide strategic oversight for both AFC and its supporting organization, the Center for Housing and Health (CHH), and will be accountable for advancing AFC's mission and strategic priorities. Essential responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

In partnership with the Board of Directors, provide vision and leadership for AFC's continued growth and impact;

Build and sustain a high-performing senior leadership team to advance AFC's mission and realize strategic priorities;

Maintain an organizational climate and culture that attracts, motivates, and retains diverse, mission-aligned talent;

Drive AFC's role in Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL), ensuring the organization remains central to statewide efforts to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and beyond;

Align the efforts of AFC and CHH to maximize impact in health, housing, and policy;

Oversee the development and implementation of innovative programs that improve HIV health outcomes and reduce racial health disparities.

Fundraising and Fiscal Management

Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic fundraising plan to diversify current revenue streams;

In…