Naperville Business Exec to be Honored by Leading Social Service Provider
Former Northern Trust EVP is “True Friend” to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Lee Selander brushes off praise for his many years of service and philanthropy, saying his faith and blessings have inspired him to give back and that volunteerism and philanthropy are parts of his everyday life.
One prime example of that selfless giving is the business savvy Selander brought to his service on the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Board of Directors for nine years, including three as board chair.
A retired Executive Vice President of The Northern Trust (his career closing position was Head of North American Clients Serving for the Institutional Businesses), where he managed 400 employees serving corporate, public fund, not-for-profit, health care, educational and endowment segments in North America.
LSSI programs, and the people they support, fit well with his personal philosophy on where he directs his time and philanthropic support. He praised LSSI’s foster care, Intact Family Services, and Foster-to-Adoption programs as progressive and integral to serving Illinoisans in need.
Fittingly, Selander will be honored with LSSI’s True Friend Award at its 43rd Annual True Friend Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.
Selander draws inspiration from Luke’s Gospel that says, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required,” for his support of nonprofit organizations like LSSI.
“I’m humbled to receive the True Friend Award,” Selander said. “The importance of LSSI’s mission is essential to my faith journey.”
LSSI provides critical programs for more than 50,000 children, adults and seniors annually. Services include foster care, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment, affordable senior housing, home care for older adults, residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and programs that help people and families impacted by incarceration.
“To be on a board, you have to be thoroughly committed to the organization’s mission,” he said of his involvement. That commitment is apparent in Selander’s service to LSSI in various capacities over nearly a decade. Besides serving as a past Chair of the LSSI Board of Directors, Selander participated on committees for finance, governance, and property and investment, as well as serving as treasurer and on the executive committee.
Serving Illinois since 1867, LSSI is one of the largest statewide social service providers, and the largest private provider of foster care services. Grounded in Lutheran values, LSSI welcomes and serves people from diverse backgrounds.
Since 1981, LSSI has presented the True Friend Award annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the human community by giving of themselves. Selander is in good company. Past True Friend Honorees include Paul Simon, former United States Senator from Illinois; Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and author Walt Wangerin.
Selander earned a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College, where he currently serves on its Board of Directors, and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Additionally, Selander is a former board member and chair of SamaraCare, and a past trustee for over a decade at the Morton Arboretum.