Elmhurst Youth Commission Chairman Steps in as Interim CEO of Robert Crown

Joan Drummond Olson was named interim executive director of the Robert Crown Center for Health Education. Olson assumes the role following the departure of Dr. Kathleen M. Burke, who left the organization to pursue other opportunities. 

Olson joined the Hinsdale-based health education center in 2011 and was named director of communications the same year.

"We are very grateful to Kathleen Burke for the many contributions she made to the Robert Crown Center,” said Pedro Menendez, RCC chairman. “We look forward to working with Joan Olson, the rest of our staff and community to fulfill RCC's important mission: teaching youth to live healthy, happy, safe lives." 

Menendez said the board plans to initiate a search for a permanent CEO. 

During her two decades as a journalist, Olson specialized in stories on health care and health policy issues. She served as a board member on three suburban nonprofit organizations and worked with local groups advocating for students with special needs. 

Olson also serves as chairman of Elmhurst Commission on Youth. 

Robert Crown Center for Health Education teaches students in the areas of substance abuse prevention, puberty and human reproduction, general health and obesity prevention. The center serves more than 80,000 students a year.