Celena Sarillo, M.S.W., M.Ed. oversees the organization’s portfolio of early learning and care programs and policy and research efforts across Illinois and in Chicago. A devoted early childhood advocate with strong public and private sector relationships, Celena is responsible for developing and managing a statewide, comprehensive strategy that supports our vision for a comprehensive prenatal-to-age-5 system of early learning and care.

Prior to joining Start Early, Celena served as CEO of American Red Cross of Illinois, the second largest region of the organization. She also served as Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House, which she first joined as a Head Start social worker.

Celena has extensive and significant community development experience at both the city and the state level, including being selected to sit on former Chicago Mayor Emanuel’s Early Childhood Task Force and Education Transition Team and former Governor Quinn’s Illinois Human Services Commission.

She was also recognized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work as their 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient and was named as one of Chicago’s “Most Powerful Latinos,” on the 2019 inaugural list compiled by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Currently, Celena serves as a board member for National Louis University, Wintrust Wealth Management, Robert R. McCormick Foundation and the Chicago Network, a network of Chicago’s women leaders.

Celena holds a master’s degree in early childhood administration from National Louis University, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is a proud and delighted mother and grandmother.