Founded in 1966, CEDA is the largest Community Action Agency in Illinois, dedicated to empowering individuals, families and communities facing poverty to secure a better quality of life. When assuming leadership as the president and chief executive officer in 2014, Harold Rice inherited an organization on the brink of financial collapse, burdened with $40 million in debt, $2 million in lawsuits and a federal investigation into misuse of funds.
Under his guidance, CEDA underwent a comprehensive restructuring that restored fiscal health, improved operational efficiency and revitalized its mission to break the cycle of generational poverty.
“Leadership is the one skill that evolves over time: impacted by generational change, technology, and identifying and motivating a workforce before problems become uncontrollable issues,” he said.
Rice’s approach in his role included negotiating the reduction of the organization’s debt, realigning program priorities, outsourcing inefficient departments, and rebuilding employee morale through strategic communication and incentives. He restructured the finance department, established robust auditing practices, and implemented Results-Oriented Management Accountability (ROMA) to ensure transparency and effectiveness. Today, the organization operates with a $234 million budget and has maintained flawless audits since 2016.
At the core of Rice’s leadership philosophy is investing in people—both within the organization and the communities it serves. Recognizing that revitalizing marginalized neighborhoods requires more than infrastructure improvements, Rice has championed workforce development initiatives that equip individuals with skills, mental health support and financial literacy.
“As corny as it sounds, my father used to say, ‘Don’t make an A out in the street and an F at home,’ meaning I strongly believe in investing in the staff within CEDA and building out the necessary infrastructure to empower them to be effective change-agents within the communities and individuals they serve,” said Rice.
Under Rice’s leadership, CEDA has expanded its impact through innovative programs such as the affordable housing option under its weatherization program, which combines energy efficiency upgrades with pathways to homeownership. Strategic partnerships with organizations like the American Diabetes Association and EMMAUS of Chicago further address systemic issues such as health inequities and human trafficking.
Rice’s forward-thinking initiatives also include the adoption of advanced tools like customer relations management systems to improve client experiences and the performance index assessment tool to optimize team dynamics. By fostering a culture of innovation, he has reduced CEDA’s reliance on unpredictable government funding, securing a more stable future for the organization.
A recognized leader in his field, Rice serves on national boards for Community Action and has positioned CEDA as a significant voice in legislative and programmatic discussions. His most significant accomplishment remains the turnaround of CEDA—a testament to his unwavering dedication to creating lasting change.