After a seven-year run, William Hansen retired March 1 as executive director of Family Service of Glencoe, and took a back on his career in the village without citing personal accomplishments but sharing credit.
FSG is the village social service agency that provides a series of services, including mental health counseling, other prevention and intervention services, plus programming for seniors.
“I’m so proud of the community for recognizing the critical nature of our services and supporting the organization in so many different ways that help us meet the needs of our constituents,” Hansen said.
Kristina Phillips will replace Hansen, the FSG board announced Feb. 21. She is currently the executive director of Lake Forest’s Career Resource Center.
The board praised Hansen for his work with his team of therapists, including an expansion of mental health services to people who either live or work in the village, even if finances were a concern.
“We are grateful for all that Hansen has brought to the organization and the community,” FSG President Sheri Styles said in a statement.
For his part, Hansen, who worked in the industry for more than 40 years, expressed gratitude for the support he found in Glencoe.
“The community has embraced the idea that we are all human and that we all have needs at one time or the other,” he said. “I’m grateful for the recognition that mental health needs are prevalent, and we all need help from time to time.”
Besides mental health, under Hansen’s leadership, FSG offered programs designed to assist local senior citizens. For most of the last two years, Hansen and the 11 FSG employees worked under challenging conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic. Counselors had to meet their clients via telehealth, and other video conferencing platforms were used for community programs.
However, FSG personnel continued to respond in person for crisis intervention situations in partnership with the Glencoe police department.
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“I’m really proud of the team, board and staff that embraced the need for flexibility and the need to continue these life-saving services,” he said.
Hansen will stay on as a FSG consultant through March, assisting Phillips as she starts her new role.
“His continued mentorship will help us to effect a smooth transition to our next leader,” Styles added.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer.