Sharing Connections names new CEO

DOWNERS GROVE - The board of trustees of Sharing Connections namd Ryan Varju as chief executive officer, replacing the retiring Deb Rickert, effective Nov. 15.

Varju, who is the organization's chief operating officer, has more than 19 years of experience in nonprofit management, including the last 13 years with Sharing Connections managing the organization's operations as well as programs, volunteers and agency liaison. Since 2006, he has led the effort to help serve more than 76,000 individuals and build a network of over 550 social service professionals throughout Northern Illinois through the services of Sharing Connections.

In addition to his experience in nonprofit, he brings with him over eight years of banking, HR and IT management.

he move comes during an especially active time in the organization's development. In 2018, Sharing Connections served close to 10,000 individuals, up 30% from 2017.

Sharing Connections has been providing furniture, household items, clothing and beds to clients including the previously homeless, unemployed and working poor, veterans, victims of domestic violence, immigrants, individuals with mental or physical disabilities, victims of fire, flood and natural disaster, etc.