Kara Teeple, chief executive officer of Lawrence Hall, grew up in a home where humor was used daily. “Learning to laugh and laugh at yourself is very healthy for the soul,” she said. “The work my team and I do every day is so rewarding, but it can come with its challenges, and being able to smile and laugh together and with those we serve helps with building relationships. Our business is all about relationships and the trust and respect that must be earned and developed.”
Teeple joined Lawrence Hall in 2013 as chief operating officer and was quickly thrust into the role of interim chief executive officer when the organization faced financial and operational challenges. Formally appointed chief executive officer in January 2015, Teeple now leads Lawrence Hall, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community since 1865 and has a mission to empower individuals who have experienced trauma by providing healing, stability and community connection.
Under Teeple’s leadership, the organization has expanded its services and grown into a prominent social service agency, focusing on youth development, foster care, mental health, workforce development and LGBTQ services.
With a background of over 16 years working at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Teeple was passionate about building prevention programs to support children and families before they entered the foster care system. Her vision led to the rebranding of the agency in 2015, dropping “youth services” from the name to better reflect its expanded focus on families and community. Teeple’s focus on prevention and community-based services led to the opening of the agency’s South Shore office, where they could more effectively serve youth and families in their communities.
Under Teeple’s leadership, Lawrence Hall has grown significantly, from serving 50 youth to over 500 in the South Shore community. The organization has expanded from five core programs to seven, adding services like workforce development, creative therapies and community wellness. One of her most notable achievements is the launch of the first LGBTQ transitional housing program for youth in foster care in Illinois, a groundbreaking initiative that has garnered national attention. The agency plans to open a second home in 2025 and is committed to becoming the premier agency for LGBTQ services for foster youth in the state.
Teeple has also led efforts to transform the agency’s internal culture. She revamped the human resources department into the people and culture team, with a renewed focus on employee experience. “I always tell my team ‘this too shall pass’ whenever there is something challenging occurring, and this has helped to keep me grounded,” said Teeple.