President and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services
Ricardo (Ric) Estrada was named President and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Chicago’s first and largest human services agencies, in March 2011.
Estrada has more than two decades of leadership experience in social services/human services, philanthropy and government. Prior to joining Metropolitan Estrada served as First Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). Before that he served as Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago, where his accomplishments included founding the Erie Elementary Charter School.
His civic and community involvement includes appointment to the Chicago Early Learning Executive Council; University of Illinois Board of Trustees; Board of Directors of Leadership Greater Chicago; Board member of the Woods Fund of Chicago; and member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Selection Committee, Emerging Leaders Program. Most recently, he was appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Repurposing Schools.
Estrada’s awards include being named an American Marshall Memorial Fellow and the Loyola University Chicago Latino Alumnus of the Year, as well as receiving the City Club of Chicago John A. McDermott Award for Distinguished Social Leadership, and the University of Illinois at Chicago City Partner Award. In 2012 he was honored by the Chicago Bears with an NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. He received a Kellogg CEO Perspectives Fellowship in 2009. He also was selected as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ “40 under 40” in 2002.
Estrada’s educational background is grounded in social services and business, including an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.A. in Social Service Policy and Administration from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago.