Belleville, Illinois (January 28, 2026) Caritas Family Solutions is proud to announce the promotion of Ashlee Lambert to Chief Development Officer, recognizing her exceptional leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and longstanding commitment to advancing the organization’s mission of serving individuals and families in crisis.
Lambert has been part of the Caritas Family Solutions team for the past 14 years. She began her career as a foster care case manager before transitioning into development, a move inspired by her passion for connecting people and strengthening the organization’s ability to serve more families throughout the community.
“I had a dream to change the world, even if it was just for one person, and I am able to do that tenfold with Caritas,” said Lambert. “My mom taught me the importance of community at an early age, that you are only as strong as the people you are surrounded by. At Caritas Family Solutions, we offer a wide range of services and opportunities that support individuals and families through any crisis in their lives and help lift them up afterward. I love being a part of that, especially when I call people who make a donation because I get to hear their stories and understand why they gave. Whether it is $5 or $500,000, every dollar allows us to continue this important mission of making our community stronger.”
Throughout her career at Caritas, Lambert has led a wide range of fundraising efforts, from individual and community giving, to major grants and organizing galas. In total, Lambert has helped raise $11 million for Caritas, playing a critical role in the nonprofit’s growth and success. Her goal is to make Caritas a name people won’t easily forget.
“When I first started, the agency had less than 100 employees, most of whom worked in a single building,” said Lambert. “Now, we have more than 550 employees across multiple service lines and locations. While so much has changed, what has remained constant is our commitment to caring for our employees just as deeply as we care for the people we serve. I have been able to grow both personally and professionally because Caritas continues to evolve, and this new role will allow me to continue that growth. Most importantly, I want to ensure that when people are struggling or wake up on their worst day, they can come to Caritas, receive support and feel loved. As Chief Development Officer, I will continue collaborating with donors whose generosity makes it possible for Caritas to respond with love and support when our community needs us most.”
