Meet Ric Estrada

A quick Internet search could tell you a lot about Ric Estrada (’89), CEO of Metropolitan Family Services.

He has spent 30 years as a leader in human services, philanthropy, and government. In that time, he has been included on Crain’s Chicago Business’s “Who’s Who in Chicago Business” list, named “Person of the Year” by Corporate Responsibility Group of Chicago, and received Loyola’s Damen Award.

But the Internet cannot tell you what initially drove Estrada to live a life of social impact.

Estrada graduated from Loyola with a BS in Psychology, with minors in Theology and Philosophy. He said the university’s Ignatian values, combined with his time in the seminary, directed him toward a career in the social enterprise sector.

As CEO of Metropolitan Family Services, Estrada works to provide programs and services to Chicago families and communities. The organization offers economic support, education opportunities, counseling, and legal services. Estrada has also created social impact as First Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago.

Estrada said his time at Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has taught him a lot about how to scale impact.

“MFS is big enough to make a difference and test solutions at scale,” Estrada said. “We served 72,000 people last year and are on track to serve even more.”