Executive Team

Francesca Edwardson, Chief Executive Officer
Fran Edwardson was appointed chief executive officer in January 2005.

Before joining the Red Cross, Fran previously served as senior vice president and general counsel of UAL Corporation and United Airlines. During her ten years at UAL, she served on the senior executive team that steered the company through the September 11 tragedy and UAL’s bankruptcy filing. She has experience in the public sector, having served as the director of the securities department for the State of Illinois in the mid-1980s.

Fran began her legal career in 1981 in the Chicago office of Mayer Brown where she was later named a partner in the corporate/securities group in 1989. From 2003-2004, she served as an adviser to the firm on change management strategies involving client development, knowledge management and risk management.

Fran has served in volunteer leadership positions for many nonprofit and professional organizations, and currently sits on the boards of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Illinois Humane Society for Children. She is also a member of the Executives Club and the Economic Club of Chicago, the Advisory Committee on Law and National Security of the American Bar Association and a Steering Committee member for the Senior Business Women's Forum. Crain's Chicago Business has recognized Fran as one of its "40 under 40" leading business executives. She holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Loyola University of Chicago, both earned with honors. Fran is a native of the Chicago area and currently resides in Oak Park with her two sons.

Guillermo Becerra, Chief Financial Officer
Guillermo Becerra was appointed chief financial officer in August 2000.

Guillermo came to the Red Cross from United Way/Crusade of Mercy Inc. where he served for thirteen years in finance and accounting. As senior director of finance for United Way/Crusade of Mercy Inc., he managed all the organization's financial activities and had financial oversight over the annual campaign contributions and allocations to partners and member agencies. Prior to his United Way experience, Guillermo also worked as a senior auditor with Thomas Havey & Co. and chief financial officer of El Hogar Del Niño.

Guillermo is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. A certified public accountant, he earned a bachelor of science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Guillermo resides in Willowbrook with his wife.

Heidi Mucha, Chief Advancement Officer
Heidi Mucha was appointed chief advancement officer in September 2008.

Heidi joined the Red Cross in 2001 and has served in several development roles in the organization. She has managed direct marketing, annual giving and special events programs and has led the marketing and communications team. She launched the Heroes Breakfast in 2001, a special event that brings significant support and visibility to the chapter, which is now an annual event. Heidi provided critical executive management for the Kankakee County chapter during a staffing vacancy, where she provided leadership and direction to the chapter’s staff and volunteers. She has also served as a disaster fundraising lead during several disasters, raising support for the Red Cross during the 2005 tsunami, the 2006 hurricane season (Katrina and Wilma), the 2006 Lebanese repatriation planning and the 2007 Northwest Illinois flooding.

Before joining the Red Cross, Heidi served in the development department for the Newberry Library, an independent research library dedicated to the expansion and dissemination of knowledge in the humanities. She served the Newberry as associate director of annual events and as a development associate for annual giving; she also oversaw the execution of marketing and public relations efforts for fundraising and outreach events.

Heidi earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan where she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. Heidi resides in Chicago with her husband and son.

LaForice Nealy, Chief Response Officer
LaForice Nealy was appointed chief response officer in March 2006.

LaForice first joined the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago in 1989 in the financial management division, and later moved to human resources. He has had increasing responsibility since joining the disaster services operation in 1995. In his most recent role as managing director for the response and emergency communications team, he led the chapter’s enormously successful response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

In addition, LaForice has served on multiple relief operations outside of the chapter’s jurisdiction, including acting as job director for the 2003 Atlanta flood relief effort. LaForice heads the disaster workers deployment operation and participated in the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. He resides in South Holland with his family.

Sandra Kay-Weaver, Chief People Resources Officer
Sandra Kay-Weaver was appointed chief people resources officer in June 2006.

Sandra served as the vice president of human resources at the Chicago Children’s Museum, where she was a member of the office of the chair during the museum’s search for a new CEO/president. Sandra’s efforts led to the creation of the human resources department at the museum, where she was responsible for developing and managing all human resources policies, procedures and programs, including oversight of the volunteer and intern programs. Prior to her eight years at the museum, she worked at the American Bar Association and at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.

Sandra holds a bachelor of science in business administration and management at Florida A&M University and has done post-graduate work at DePaul University in the master of arts program in HR strategic planning. Additionally, Sandra has done post-graduate work at the Kellogg School of Non-Profit Management at Northwestern University where she also provided training and facilitation. Sandra holds a senior professional human resources (SPHR) certification.

A board member of the Hyde Park School of Ballet and a past board council member of the Association of Children’s Museums, Sandra will continue to sit on the HR board committee for the Chicago Children’s Museum. Sandra resides in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

Lisa Hunter, Chief Preparedness Officer
Lisa Hunter was appointed chief preparedness officer in May 2008.

Prior to joining the Greater Chicago Red Cross, Lisa was a general manager and vice president for Sirva Inc, headquartered in Westmont, IL. At Sirva, Lisa provided relocation and moving services to government and military officials.

Prior to her position at Sirva, Lisa served as vice president of business development for General Electric Rail Services, implementing new product and service offerings while identifying and developing strategic growth initiatives. While at GE, Lisa also served as a disaster relief manager and led a business enterprise team coordinating the company's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans.

Lisa has brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to her current position at the Red Cross, where her responsibilities include managing the chapter's health and safety training and preparedness initiatives to ensure the Chicagoland area is ready for the unexpected.