November 5, 2019 – FORT WORTH, Texas
Lena Pope, a nonprofit that improves child well-being in Tarrant County, announced today the selection of Ashley Lind, Ph.D., as the agency’s new chief executive officer.
Dr. Lind was hired following a national search. She comes to Lena Pope with extensive nonprofit leadership and clinical expertise in an array of social service settings related to children, at-risk youth and families. In 2017, she was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, Non-Profit CEO of the Year by Community Council of Dallas.
At Lena Pope, Dr. Lind will oversee the agency’s evidence-based, research-tested programs, which focus on prevention and early intervention services that support child development and improve the behavioral and mental health of local children and families.
“We were committed to finding the right person to drive our continued progress in improving the well-being of children in Tarrant County,” said Jim Estill, Lena Pope board member and chair of the search committee. “Dr. Lind was chosen because not only does her professional background align remarkably well with our mission and programs, she also has a strong track record of helping organizations grow capacity, develop programs and enhance operations.”
Dr. Lind previously served as chief executive officer for Promise House, an agency leading the charge to end youth homelessness in North Texas, where her achievements included increasing the scope of residential programming and clinical services as well as partnering to create a one-of-a-kind collaborative sheltering service for homeless high school students.
Her investment in youth and family advocacy, prevention and early intervention spans nearly 30 years and has included an emphasis on programs that support healthy child development and strong mental health outcomes during family crises. To that end, Dr. Lind previously served as the chief operating officer at Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, an agency working with both public and private entities to investigate, prosecute and provide healing services for child abuse cases. Additionally, she has provided clinical oversight in residential treatment settings, provided advocacy and leadership at Genesis Women’s Shelter and SafeHaven of Tarrant County, and taught master’s- and doctoral-level counseling courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas. Most recently, Dr. Lind was vice president of population health and Meals on Wheels at Visiting Nurses Association of Texas.
“I am honored to be granted the privilege of leading Lena Pope,” said Dr. Lind. “My dedication to improving the lives of children and families in our community is a calling that fuels my passion to further nonprofit resources that promote youth and family well-being. I am beyond enthusiastic about what the future at Lena Pope holds.”
Dr. Lind’s first day with the agency will be Nov. 18. She replaces Dr. Todd Landry, who was appointed director of the Office of Child and Family Services for the state of Maine earlier this year.
About Lena Pope
Lena Pope is a nonprofit organization that believes that investing in the well-being of children today creates happy, healthy and successful adults later!
The organization’s 89 years of experience in child and family services guide their current efforts to improve child well-being here in Tarrant County. They use evidence-based, research-tested programs focused on prevention and early intervention services that support child development and improve the behavioral and mental health of children.
Basically, they invest in kids! From infants to teens, Lena Pope offers services that improve child and family resiliency, decrease problematic behaviors and improve school readiness and success! Lena Pope’s counseling, educational and behavioral programs serve over 4,000 children and families every year.
Restoring Hope. Creating Happiness. Building Success. Lena Pope.