Child’s Voice is excited to announce that Wendy Deters has been selected to be Child’s Voice’s new Executive Director. Wendy was chosen by a committee of the Board of Directors after a nationwide search, and she will begin in the position on April 5.
She will be working with current Executive Director Dr. Michele Wilkins during a transition period. Dr. Wilkins’ last day is in June.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors I am more than thrilled to announce that Wendy Deters has been selected as our next leader,” said Dan Stratis, President of the Child’s Voice Board of Directors and father to alum Danny (’11).
“We went through a very comprehensive search process that produced many wonderful candidates. In the end it was clear Wendy was the perfect choice due to her years of experience in deaf education and her tremendous dedication to Child’s Voice.”
Wendy is well known by many Child’s Voice families, friends, and colleagues for her work with the Early Intervention Program. She has worked at Child’s Voice since 2006 and is currently the Early Intervention and School Professional Development Coordinator. Wendy provides evaluation and therapy services for children in the Early Intervention Program and also supports the EI Staff, coordinates the Toddler Program, and leads professional development in EI and the School.
Wendy is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Midwestern University. Wendy is one of the co-hosts of the All Ears at Child’s Voice podcast, which features a wide range of speakers on topics related to hearing loss.
“I have been honored to work with Wendy as a member of the leadership team and to watch how her dedication and expertise has helped grow our programs,” said Dr. Wilkins.
“It has always been clear to me that our team is at the heart of the amazing work we do, and Wendy is a wonderful example of how strong and enthusiastic that team is.”
“Wendy is already known in the deaf education community as a thought leader and as a creative podcast host. She is integral to Child’s Voice already as an educator, a professional development coach, and a supportive cheerleader for staff,” said Wilkins.
Wilkins will remain with Child’s Voice through the end of the school year, with her last official day at Child’s Voice’s annual Golf Outing on June 7. On May 4, Child’s Voice families and friends will gather at the Wood Dale, IL, campus from 2:30-5 PM for an open house to thank Dr. Michele for her 23 years of visionary leadership of Child’s Voice. It will also be a chance for the community to greet and congratulate Wendy.
Child’s Voice thanks our families, alumni, donors, friends, and partners for your support and trust. Wendy will continue to foster the work that Child’s Voice does for children with hearing loss and their families and nurture the Child’s Voice community.
The Board of Directors and our staff has boundless confidence that Wendy will guide Child’s Voice into our next 25 years with thoughtful leadership and a compassionate spirit.
