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Adrienne Kessler, Ed.D.,BCBA

CEO, Board Member and Consultant: Mental & Behavioral Healthcare & Non-profit Sectors

Strategic and collaborative with a solution focused outlook, Adrienne brings nearly 30 years of industry experience in mental and behavioral health, with 12 years in executive & C-Suite roles working with non-profits and Fortune 500 companies. From her role as a change agent to her uncanny ability to identify trends and opportunities, Adrienne has been able to help organizations turn concepts into successful start ups and turn around legacy organizations on the brink of closure thrive.

 

In her work with Easter Seals Southern California, she helped launch the state-wide service line for Kaiser Permanente from inception into a nearly $300M service line in 3 years’ time building out infrastructure to ensure continuity of care across counties. While serving Speech and Language Development Center, she helped this legacy non-profit pivot from a school-based program to mental and behavioral health, saving it from closure. Her work included guidance in a number of key areas, such as organizational development, succession planning, human resources, and business development, ultimately rebuilding the organization from the ground up. She has supported the integration of newly acquired companies, led corporate rebranding, negotiated contracts with large enterprises, and worked with state governing bodies such as the CDE, DDS, DMHC to name a few, ensuring the organizations she supports meet compliance and regulatory requirements.

 

Adrienne got her start in education working as an in-home behavior therapist helping young children with Autism and related disorders. From there she went on to work in the public school system, developing district wide programs for students with special needs, creating programs from early intervention through adulthood along with professional development for faculty and staff. Today, she serves as the Board President for CAPSES, a state association representing nearly 7,000 students with special education, helping to inform and shape policy with legislatures and state taskforces. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member to City National Bank, and UC Irvine graduate programs. Through each of her pursuits, she has maintained an excitement to connect, learn and advocate for those she serves. She is the mother of two boys and enjoys giving back to her community through volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity, local food bank, Boys Scouts and PTA associations.

 

Adrienne’s Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University,
  • Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University,
  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), specialties in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  • Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from University of LaVerne
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Finance from Harvard