The Providers’ Council, the largest human services membership association in Massachusetts, announced today that Chief Operating Officer Bill Yelenak has been named president and CEO, replacing Michael Weekes, who is stepping down after 25 years leading the organization.
Yelenak has held nearly every job in his 16-plus years with the Providers’ Council, and these roles have touched on all facets of member and government relations and grassroots advocacy, as well as key association management and operational initiatives. As COO, he oversaw association team members and helped run the organization’s annual convention, the largest of its kind in the Northeast.
“The Providers’ Council is lucky to have Bill step into this key role,” said Sandra McCroom, chair of the Providers’ Council Board of Directors and President and CEO of Children’s Services of Roxbury. “His intimate knowledge of the Providers’ Council’s work, its employees, members and the sector is invaluable. Bill’s leadership and approach to this work is fueled by his pure passion for the human services profession and the members of this association.”
Yelenak has been a steady presence on Beacon Hill, where he often testifies on legislation pertaining to key human services provider issues, such as workforce and reimbursement rates, and meets with legislators to discuss the challenges facing providers. He has served as the Providers’ Council’s grant writer, winning major funding commitments, and has overseen brand and website development projects.
“With an exceptional understanding of the Legislature and the legislative process, and a demonstrated ability to advance the organization’s objectives, we believe Bill is exceptionally well positioned to lead the Providers’ Council and succeed in this role,” McCroom added.
Prior to joining the Providers’ Council in 2007, Yelenak was a journalist in Connecticut, where he covered state and local politics. He also worked in a communications role for a Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Suffolk University.
“I am so honored to be chosen for this important leadership role and am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me,” said Yelenak. “I was in the fortunate position of learning the organization from the ground up, under the mentorship of a transformational leader in Michael Weekes, and there is no greater opportunity in one’s professional life than to advocate for the thousands of people who serve vulnerable individuals with caring, dignity and compassion.”
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