April 30, 2024
EveryStep President & CEO Marks 20 Years with Nonprofit Leader
Tray Wade, president and CEO of EveryStep, marks his 20th year with the nonprofit health care and human services organization May 3. Wade leads EveryStep’s more than 30 programs, including hospice care, home care, child and maternal health services, grief support, assistance for immigrants and refugees, and interpretation services.
Wade joined the organization in 2004 as a hospice director. Over the years, Wade honed his health care expertise and moved into various leadership positions before being named president and CEO in 2016.
During Wade’s tenure, he has helped align EveryStep’s dozens of distinct programs under one umbrella with a united vision. In 2018, Wade led the organization through its renaming and rebranding of HCI Care Services & Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa to “EveryStep”. Additionally, he has led efforts to bring several like-minded nonprofit programs to join EveryStep.
Throughout his career at EveryStep, Wade has worked to create a culture that sets the organization apart as a great place to work. EveryStep has been named a Top Workplace by the Des Moines Register 11 times — an honor based upon feedback from the organization’s own employees. Additionally, EveryStep has been named “Runner Up: Best Nonprofit” by the Des Moines Business Record five times.
In 2012, Wade was recognized by the Des Moines Business Record as one of Des Moines’ “Forty under 40”. In 2019, he received Volunteer Iowa’s “Nonprofit Staff Leader of the Year Award” and in 2020, he was named Des Moines University Alumnus of the Year. In 2020 and again in 2022, the Des Moines Business Record named Wade as “Runner-up: Best CEO” in their annual Best of Des Moines awards.
Under Wade’s leadership, EveryStep completed a $3.5 million capital campaign and associated renovation of EveryStep’s Kavanagh House hospice home in Des Moines; grew net operating revenue to $32 million annually; and led the organization through the pandemic, which included pivoting to provide tele-health visits and opening a special COVID hospice care unit at EveryStep’s Bright Kavanagh Center.
Wade earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Arts from the University of Iowa, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Des Moines University, and holds a certificate in Executive Development from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to his career at EveryStep, Wade held human service positions at ChildServe and Lutheran Services of Iowa.
Wade currently volunteers and sits on the boards of Above + Beyond Cancer and Amadora Legacy Project.
EveryStep has been offering nonprofit care and support for Iowans since 1908, with at least one of its 30-plus programs in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Staff and programs provide support and education to young moms; assistance to immigrants and refugees; in-home care to people who are ill, injured or facing the end of life; and compassionate support to families during times of grief and loss.
To find confidential support and care through EveryStep, visit www.everystep.org/find-care. To learn about EveryStep career opportunities go to www.everystep.org/careers.