The Baby Fold board has named a new CEO, Clete Winkelmann, to replace Dianne Schultz, who is retiring.
“I am thrilled to pass the torch to Clete Winkelmann,” Schultz said. “I feel very comfortable retiring knowing that a person of Clete’s caliber will be working with our talented executive leadership team to keep the agency moving forward.”
The Baby Fold is a 121-year-old agency based in Normal that provides foster care, special education, early childhood programming, and adoption services to children and families in central Illinois.
Winkelmann is an Illinois native who has worked in human services at a variety of not-for-profits for more than 30 years.
“I’ve admired the amazing work done by The Baby Fold for years,” said Winkelmann. “I’m excited to return to Illinois and join such an impactful agency.”
His previous positions have ranged from foster care case management to leading community support and mental health organizations. His past CEO roles also have provided experience with therapeutic day schools. Winkelmann's senior executive leadership roles in Illinois have included United Methodist Children’s Home (Spero), Peoria Children’s Home Association, and Aunt Martha’s Health and Community Support Services.
Winkelmann's most recent role is executive director of Nexus-PATH Family Healing in North Dakota. He led strategy, programming and daily operations of Nexus-PATH, overseeing the range of foster care and community-based mental health programs for youth and families, according to an agency news release.
Schultz is retiring on June 7 after nearly 30 years at The Baby Fold. Winkelmann begins June 5.
