Arden Shore President & CEO Dr. Dora Maya Announces Retirement After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership.
Arden Shore Child & Family Services proudly announces the upcoming retirement of Dr. Dora Maya, President and CEO, on May 2, 2025. After more than 25 years of remarkable service, Dr. Maya is stepping down, leaving an extraordinary legacy of leadership, innovation, and community impact.
Under Dr. Maya’s visionary leadership, Arden Shore has become a leading provider of child welfare and mental health services in Lake County. During her tenure, the organization expanded its bilingual services, grew its Intact Family Preservation program by 120%, and increased its Foster Care program by 90%. Dr. Maya’s dedication to equity and cultural inclusivity has redefined how Arden Shore supports underserved and Spanish-speaking communities, helping thousands of children and families rebuild their lives in a caring community. Reflecting on her time at Arden Shore, Dr. Maya shared:
“It has been my greatest privilege to serve Arden Shore and witness the resilience of the children and families we support. We have built an organization grounded in equity, cultural responsiveness, and compassion. I am excited to see Arden Shore continue to thrive under new leadership, and I remain deeply grateful for the partnerships and support that have made our work possible.”
As an immigrant from Cali, Colombia, and a former foster parent, Dr. Maya has been a tireless advocate for underserved populations, working to dismantle systemic barriers in child welfare and behavioral health services. Beyond her work at Arden Shore, she has played a key role in national and state-level initiatives, serving on boards and committees such as the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, Illinois Partners for Human Service, and the Latino Policy Forum. Her career spans nearly four decades, including pivotal roles at the Association House of Chicago and Children’s Home + Aid, where she pioneered culturally responsive mental health and family preservation programs.
In recognition of her decades-long commitment to transforming child welfare systems and expanding access to culturally competent services, Dr. Maya was honored as a 2024 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Latino Leader. This distinction celebrates her leadership at Arden Shore and her contributions to shaping policy and practice in child welfare and mental health services throughout Illinois.
Scott Yelvington, Board Chair of Arden Shore, expressed the Board’s gratitude:
“Dr. Maya’s leadership has elevated Arden Shore’s impact and reach, improving the lives of countless children and families. Her ability to inspire change, foster partnerships, and advocate for systemic improvements has left an indelible mark on our organization and the community. We are confident in Arden Shore’s continued success as we transition to new leadership.”
The Arden Shore Board of Directors has identified a successor; additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.