DENISE A. BROWN
Chicago,IL
Summary
Results-driven public sector executive with 30 years of leadership experience in diverse government systems and nonprofit administration. Led complex operations, aligned policy with practice, and delivered measurable outcomes. Managed multimillion-dollar portfolios, enhanced compliance frameworks, and forged cross-sector partnerships to improve outcomes for complex government and community organizations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Associate Deputy Director, Permanency Administration
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
Chicago, USA
01.2025 - Current
- Led statewide permanency operations as Acting Associate Deputy of Permanency and sole Statewide Administrator for Subsidy Support Unit, directly impacting thousands of children and families across Illinois.
- Facilitated completion of over 2400 permanencies (successful adoptions and guardianships) statewide in FY25, with projections for 2600 in FY26.
- Managed $58M+ in statewide post-adoption support services contracts, ensuring compliance, fiscal accountability, and achievement of performance outcomes.
- Lead 100+ diverse professional staff statewide, aligning regional operations with policy, performance expectations, and federal benchmarks.
- Evaluated statewide performance data to improve permanency timelines, enhance placement stability, and drive positive case outcomes.
- Advise courts, executive leadership, and state agencies on complex, high-risk cases, providing strategic guidance to enhance decision-making processes.
Global Grant Compliance Director
Heartland Alliance
Chicago, USA
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Sole compliance authority overseeing 120+ federal and state grants totaling $101M+ across 9 countries.
- Established compliance framework for 200+ programs serving youth and families in 400 communities worldwide, strengthening program integrity and accountability.
- Executed federal-level subcontracts and led internal audits, developing policies that ensured regulatory alignment across domestic and international systems.
- Facilitated executive training sessions and conducted risk-mitigation audits, ensuring adherence to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Site Director (Multi-Site)
Heartland Alliance - HHCS
Chicago, USA
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Led 60+ multidisciplinary staff in a 32,000 sq. ft. (24/7/365) crisis response facility (3 buildings, 9 floors, 10 classrooms, 94 beds, clinic, 6 kitchens, 7 offices).
- Hired, trained, evaluated, and supervised 60+ multidisciplinary staff; facilitated monthly all-staff meetings and weekly 1:1s with managers to enhance team alignment and accountability.
- Delivered trauma-informed legal, residential, educational, clinical, and medical services to over 1,000 children ages 12 months–17 years, ensuring holistic support and well-being.
- Collaborated with federal/state courts, foreign consulates, hospitals, and attorneys, achieving successful reunification of 300+ undocumented children with families across the U.S.
- Led internal/external audits and ensured compliance through timely completion of quarterly reports, case notes, and incident reports; produced 27-page monthly federal reports and maintained weekly engagement with grant officials.
- PROMOTED to Global Grant Compliance Director during this tenure.
Executive Program Manager (Contracted)
Daniel J. Nellum Youth Services
Chicago, USA
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Program Operations Administrator for a DCFS-funded (24/7/365) emergency crisis shelter for neglected, abused, and adjudicated males ages 15 to 20; hired, trained, and managed 20 full-time and 15 additional temporary staff.
- Collaborated with clinical, medical, educational, and legal staff to implement trauma-informed services during final (90-day) probation, ensuring compliance and enhancing support for at-risk youth.
- Coordinated communication as sole 24/7/365 Community Liaison and Emergency Response Administrator with parents, police, CPS, attorneys, and DCFS to ensure swift response and support.
- Investigated and corrected program and facility code violations, achieving 53% reduction in property damage, client assaults, thefts, and runaways, 80% reduction in staff absenteeism/turnover, and 99% reduction in staff injury and client hospitalizations, significantly improving program safety.
- Passed all DCFS and COA audits and inspections, securing 5-year COA reaccreditation and 1-year DCFS licensure renewal.
President & Chief Executive Officer
YWCA of Northwest Indiana
Northwest, USA
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Sole senior administrator. Led 24,000 sq. ft. multi-service community facility, serving over 700 students, 600 seniors, and 1,600 paid members, enhancing community engagement.
- Managed multi-million-dollar operational budget, securing $107K in new grants, raising $90K in unrestricted funds, and increasing membership revenue by 13% monthly, supporting financial sustainability.
- Directed federally funded, year-round out-of-school program in Northwest Indiana, serving 6–17 year-olds daily from 26 high-risk schools, fostering academic and social development.
- Supervised 27 staff and led 18-member all-female board and 12-member Advisory Board, facilitating year-round out-of-school program for 700 students, enhancing educational access and community support.
- Oversaw HR, operations, fundraising, and program reporting, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
- Monitored compliance with OSHA, ADA, Title IX, and state and federal regulations, remediating major facility violations to ensure safe learning environments.
Chief Professional Officer & Executive Director
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park Regions) / Community Chest
01.2008 - 12.2010
- Led two nonprofit organizations simultaneously with $900K and $3.1M budgets. Managed 23 board members and over 100 volunteers, securing multiple 5 and 6-figure gifts from 32 corporate accounts (State Farm, Deloitte, AON, Northern Trust).
- Raised $988K in individual donations during economic downturn, enabling funding for 43+ agencies and addressing critical community needs.
- Facilitated grant-making process by reviewing 200+ applications and 40 program/financial reports quarterly, optimizing resource allocation to 43+ agencies.
- Designed and led RFP/RFI processes, monitored compliance, implemented corrective actions, and trained board members to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Executive Director
Lake County Haven
Libertyville, USA
01.2006 - 12.2008
- Spearheaded fundraising initiatives, special events, direct mail campaigns, and donor prospecting, resulting in $100,000+ increase in unrestricted funding and in-kind support.
- Led shelter and transitional housing programs impacting 100+ women and children across 1 shelter, 11 apartments, 2 offices, and 8 programs.
- Managed 12 staff, 12 board members, and 123 auxiliary volunteers while overseeing human resource functions, driving operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with political figures, police agencies, the court, media, and public to enhance awareness and support for agency and clientele.
- Passed all licensing and funding audits, ensuring compliance and operational integrity.
Associate Director
Heartland Alliance
Chicago, USA
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Coordinated operations, licensing, and compliance across multidisciplinary teams to support executive leadership of large-scale human services programs and enhance program effectiveness.
- Developed and refined policy to align with program execution, monitoring outcomes to ensure compliance and facilitate program improvement.
- Led 20 staff to deliver housing and stabilization services for co-ed ward and non-ward youth clients aged 14 to 24, improving client support and engagement.
Education
Ed.D. - Higher Education Leadership
Governors State University
University Park, IL06-2027
M.S. - Human Services Administration & Nonprofit Management
Spertus College
Chicago, ILChicago, IL
B.A. - Human Services
Aurora University
Aurora, ILAurora, IL
Executive Diploma -
Dominican University - Brennan School of Business
River Forest, ILRiver Forest, IL
Skills
- Grant compliance and reporting
- Compliance systems and policy analysis
- Risk management and stakeholder engagement
- Strategic planning and project oversight
- Program execution and budget management
- Financial oversight and data analysis
- Process optimization and change leadership
- Team management and talent acquisition
- Data management tools
Additional Experience
- Professional Advisor - DePaul University, School for New Learning, Chicago IL.
- Academic Advisor - University of Illinois Medical School, Chicago, IL.
- Title IX Equity Compliance Investigator - Chicago Public Schools, (Sole Investigator 600+ schools)
- Grant Compliance Specialist - Cook County Justice Advisory Council, ($12M+ to 40 organizations)
- Juvenile Probation Officer, Cook County Circuit Court - IL. / Berrien County Family Court - MI.
Licenses & Certifications
- Federal Grant Compliance — Federal Funding Training Academy
- Domestic Violence Counseling Professional — Illinois Dept of Human Services
- Victims Rights Training -US Dept. of Justice (Trauma-Informed Care, Title IX, Campus Investigations & Victims’ Rights, etc.)
- Certified Investigator & Decision Maker- (Titles VI, VII, & IX) - ATIXA Training Institute
- Child Welfare Specialist & CERAP — Illinois DCFS
- Commissioned Juvenile Probation Officer — Cook County & Berrien County Courts
Timeline
Acting Associate Deputy Director, Permanency Administration
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
01.2025 - Current
Global Grant Compliance Director
Heartland Alliance
01.2018 - 12.2019
Site Director (Multi-Site)
Heartland Alliance - HHCS
01.2017 - 12.2018
Executive Program Manager (Contracted)
Daniel J. Nellum Youth Services
01.2013 - 12.2015
President & Chief Executive Officer
YWCA of Northwest Indiana
01.2011 - 12.2012
Chief Professional Officer & Executive Director
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park Regions) / Community Chest
01.2008 - 12.2010
Executive Director
Lake County Haven
01.2006 - 12.2008
Associate Director
Heartland Alliance
01.2005 - 12.2006
Ed.D. - Higher Education Leadership
Governors State University
M.S. - Human Services Administration & Nonprofit Management
Spertus College
B.A. - Human Services
Aurora University
Executive Diploma -
Dominican University - Brennan School of Business