Wendy Thompson

Wendy Thompson serves as CEO of Friend Health (formerly Friend Family Health Center), a federally qualified health center serving Chicago's South and Southwest sides through six community-based locations. She leads an organization that delivers integrated primary care, women's health, pediatrics, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and dental services while advancing innovative models to expand access in historically underserved communities. Under her leadership, Friend Health has strengthened partnerships with health systems, community organizations, educational institutions, and public-sector collaborators to improve care coordination, develop local healthcare workforce pipelines, and bring services directly into neighborhoods through community-based initiatives.

Wendy is an experienced community health leader with expertise evaluating risks and opportunities within complex organizational systems. Previously, she held leadership positions at Chicago Public Schools and Aon Corporation and began her career at Goldman Sachs. She holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Chicago.