5 Questions with Chris Letsos, New CEO of Kids’ Chance of America 

Getting to Know

Chris Letsos recently joined Kids’ Chance of America’s as its first full-time chief executive officer, marking a major milestone in the national nonprofit’s growth and development. Drawing on his more than two decades of experience leading youth-focused and mission-driven organizations, Letsos oversees all operations for KCOA, which powers a 50-state nonprofit network that provides scholarships and support to the children of critically and fatally injured workers.  

We were fortunate enough to borrow some of Letsos' time, and get his thoughts on Kids' Chance, his background, and what the future looks like

Q: Your connection to workers’ compensation and the Kids’ Chance mission has a personal dimension. Could you describe how a workplace injury in your family affected your journey?  

Chris Letsos: When I was a freshman in high school, my father suffered a serious spinal injury after falling down a flight of stairs. That first year was a blur of doctor visits, legal meetings, and endless insurance paperwork, much of which I translated for him. Ultimately, his injury meant he could no longer work, and our family had to start over in Florida, facing an uncertain future. Living through that experience gave me a deep understanding of the challenges and fears families face in the aftermath of a life-changing injury. It’s why the mission of Kids’ Chance resonates so profoundly with me because I know, personally, what it means to have your life upended and to search for hope and opportunity in the middle of hardship. 

Q: On a related note, how would you describe your “why” in the work you do at Kids’ Chance of America?  

CL: My “why” has always been centered on empowering children and youth. For more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of serving in organizations dedicated to lifting up young people—whether at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Knox Education Foundation or during my time overseeing child welfare programs with the Florida Department of Children and Families. In every role, my focus has been on helping kids who need that extra support and guidance to break cycles of poverty, struggle or hardship. 

Kids’ Chance resonates with me on a deeply personal level because I know firsthand what it feels like when a parent’s injury changes the trajectory of a family. Choosing to serve here allows me to carry forward my life’s work in a way that feels especially close to home: creating opportunities, restoring hope and helping young people see a future that’s bigger than the challenges in front of them. 

Q: What aspects of Kids’ Chance do you see as key building blocks for growth and where do you see potential new opportunities?  

CL: Kids’ Chance is built on a strong foundation—a legacy of impact and service, deep connections within the workers’ compensation industry and more than 1,500 dedicated volunteers who make our mission possible. Behind those numbers are thousands of powerful stories of young people whose lives have been changed through opportunity and support. What inspires me most is the shared vision across the country: a commitment to empowering youth to achieve success, no matter the adversity their families have faced. 

Looking ahead, I see tremendous opportunities to build on that foundation by forging new partnerships, expanding awareness of our mission and growing the scope of our work. By strengthening our brand and widening our reach, we can ensure that even more students receive the support they need to pursue their education and their dreams. 

Q: For people involved at the state level, why is it important to also work toward the goals of Kids’ Chance of America?  

CL: Kids’ Chance of America exists to strengthen and support the critical work happening at the state level. Collaboration is essential—because when we work together, we can expand both the scale and the impact of our mission. By aligning our efforts, we amplify our reach and deepen our relevance, not only within the workers’ compensation community but also far beyond it. 

When states and KCOA come together as one interconnected network, we unlock new opportunities—additional resources, stronger partnerships and ultimately more scholarships. And that means more students across the country will have the chance to pursue their education and build a brighter future. 

Q: What do you hope everyone in the workers’ compensation industry thinks when they hear the words “Kids’ Chance”?  

CL: When people in the workers’ compensation industry hear “Kids’ Chance,” I hope they immediately think of a trusted and committed partner—an organization dedicated not only to supporting children, but also to standing alongside the families they serve in the wake of life-changing injuries. 

Our goal is to spark a true movement within the industry, one where every stakeholder sees themselves as part of something larger: creating hope, restoring opportunity and opening doors for young people whose futures have been forever altered by a catastrophic workplace injury. Together, we can ensure that “Kids’ Chance” is synonymous with making a lasting difference in the lives of these families. 

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