06/29/2026
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ง ๐๐๐ก๐ฅ๐ฌ๐ค๐จ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐
๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐น๐ฆ๐ค๐ถ๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ๐ค๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ 28 ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ด
NAPERVILLE, Ill. โ June 29, 2026 โ The Youth Outlook Board of Directors today announced that Carolyn Wahlskog (she/they) has been appointed the organizationโs next Executive Director, effective January 31, 2027. Carolyn will succeed founding Executive Director Nancy Mullen (pronouns interchangeable), who will retire after more than 28 years leading the organization.
Nancy became Youth Outlookโs first Executive Director in October 1998, when the organization was only months old. Under her leadership, what began as a fledgling effort grew into the first and longest-running nonprofit in Illinois dedicated solely to LGBTQ+ youth. Today, Youth Outlook supports young people across DuPage, Kane, Whiteside, LaSalle, DeKalb, Will, Peoria, suburban Cook Counties, and virtually through Drop-In Centers, parent and caregiver support, community education, and health and wellness navigation.
โNancy didnโt just lead Youth Outlook; she built it. For nearly three decades, LGBTQ+ young people and families across Illinois have found belonging, affirmation, and a growing ecosystem of care because of her vision,โ said Emily Simonson (she/they), Board Chair of Youth Outlook. โJust as importantly, Nancyโs legacy lives in the team that will continue showing up long after their retirement, in the culture they shaped, and the relationships they built that define this organizationโs place in the community. We are profoundly grateful they are extending that same spirit through a thoughtful transition that positions Youth Outlook for continued strength and stability.โ
โOne of the strongest indicators of an organizationโs health is its ability to cultivate the next generation of leadership. Carolynโs grown with Youth Outlook. They know our youth, communities, and mission deeply and have already made profound impacts on our programs and culture,โ notes Cecilia Benitez (she/her), Vice Chair of Youth Outlook. โAt a critical time for LGBTQ+ young people and our country, we are fortunate and proud to have a leader of Carolynโs caliber ready to guide the organization forward.โ
Carolyn first joined Youth Outlook in 2011 and has spent the better part of fifteen years with the organization, rising from Graduate Intern to Program Leader to her current role as Director of Operations and Programming. She also brings executive experience from outside the organization. As Executive Director of Housing at 360 Youth Services, she led a $2.5 million portfolio of housing and child welfare programs serving young people experiencing homelessness.
Carolynโs leadership spans regional coalitions, state boards, and a gubernatorial subcommittee appointment, making her a trusted voice in the statewide LGBTQ+ ecosystem, with deep relationships across funders, schools, and community partners. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicagoโs Jane Addams College of Social Work. Her recognition in the field includes the National Association of Social Workers โ Illinois Chapterโs Emerging Leader of the Year award and selection to Windy City Timesโ 30 Under 30.
The Boardโs decision followed a structured, months-long assessment process. Rather than a traditional leadership handoff, Youth Outlook is undertaking a structured transition period. Beginning this summer, Carolyn will serve as Executive Director Designate, working alongside Nancy to ensure continuity for staff, youth, partners, and funders while creating space for mentorship, knowledge transfer, and shared leadership.
"It's an honor and a privilege to step into this role, and I am grateful for Nancy's mentorship as we prepare for the next chapter in our story," said Carolyn Wahlskog, Executive Director Designate of Youth Outlook. "Q***r and trans young people are magic, and in this moment more than ever, they deserve the safe, supportive, and celebratory spaces that Youth Outlook provides. I look forward to continuing this work alongside our incredible staff, volunteers, and community partners, and growing our capacity to be there for every LGBTQ+ young person who needs us."
