Wade Ek joined The Children's Place Association in June 2004 to continue the implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement.  He was formerly at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for thirteen years, working in HIV programs.

In June of 2007 he moved back to direct programming and is now the Program Manager of Family and Community Services, which entails the HIV case management, in home respite, clinical mental health, group services as well as special family events.

Wade Ek holds a Masters in Divinity from Catholic Theological Union and studied at the Loyola School of Social Work. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.  He currently is the Roman Catholic Chaplain at Rush University Medical Health Care systems as well.