DePaul Annual Report 2022

Leading What She Loves Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by Taylored Images

Renee Brown is grateful to be leading what she loves. In late November, she stepped into her role as DePaul’s Chief Executive Officer after an extensive search process that included candidates from across the nation. When asked why she felt called to consider being DePaul’s CEO, Renee’s answer was simple. “The people in and around DePaul and their passion and belief in our mission of hope and belonging,” said Renee. Throughout her life, Renee’s path has crossed with the populations served and loved by DePaul. As a child,

Renee watched as her mother, who held a Master of Social Work degree, made it her mission to help others. When she was 7 years old, Renee’s family adopted her younger brother. “I grew up knowing that not all children had forever families and that love transcends biology,” said Renee. As a teenager, she babysat children with special needs. “I realized that their parents faced barriers just to find quality care,” said Renee.

2 | depaulcr.org/annualreport