The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) is entering a new chapter under the leadership of its founder and former CEO, Doreen Granpeesheh. After a challenging period marked by the company’s bankruptcy filing, Granpeesheh and her business partner, Sangam Pant, have successfully acquired the company out of bankruptcy. The deal, which was valued at approximately $48.5 million and approved by a judge in July, closed at the end of August 2023. This marks Granpeesheh’s return to the helm, and her leadership promises to guide the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) into a future of growth and innovation, while addressing the challenges that led to its struggles in recent years.
Granpeesheh’s return as CEO is a significant turning point for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), which she founded decades ago. Her previous decision to sell the company to Blackstone in 2018, with the intent of slowing down and transitioning to a board role, was upended by the pandemic. The crisis had a profound impact on the company, leading to leadership changes and financial pressures. In an interview on the Behavioral Health Business Perspectives podcast, Granpeesheh discussed her decision to return to the company and the lessons she learned through both its successes and setbacks.
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
Granpeesheh’s journey with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) began at UCLA, where she worked in a small, research-focused clinic. While UCLA’s clinic provided valuable services, it lacked the resources to offer ongoing therapy for children with autism. This gap in services led Granpeesheh to start her own practice, where she treated children coming out of UCLA’s clinic. The small operation quickly grew, as many of the parents whose children thrived under her care began recommending her services to others.
Her commitment to delivering quality care and her innovative approach to autism treatment quickly gained the attention of families across the country. Parents began reaching out, asking if Granpeesheh would open additional clinics in their areas. She agreed, but with a caveat: if parents could gather 20 to 25 children, she would open a clinic in their community. This gradual expansion led to a rapid growth phase for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), with new locations springing up across the nation.
By the mid-2010s, the company was expanding rapidly, and Granpeesheh’s leadership was crucial in building the infrastructure needed to scale. From 2015 to 2017, the company grew exponentially, as the demand for autism services surged in response to increased awareness of the condition. During this period, Granpeesheh and her team refined the systems that would allow the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) to scale efficiently while maintaining a high level of care.
The Role of Private Equity and the Decision to Sell
In 2018, after years of organic growth, Granpeesheh and her leadership team decided to sell the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) to Blackstone, a global private equity firm. At the time, Granpeesheh believed that bringing in a larger investor would allow the company to grow even faster and extend its reach. The company had already opened more than 150 clinics by the time of the sale, and it was clear that additional resources would be needed to keep up with the skyrocketing demand.
However, bringing in Blackstone marked the first time the company had engaged with outside investors, and it came with a series of challenges. Granpeesheh had always run the company independently, reinvesting revenue to fund growth, but the scale required to keep expanding made outside funding necessary. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) had a strong track record, but it was also experiencing growing pains, particularly with the increasing complexity of managing such a large operation. Blackstone’s involvement provided the resources needed to continue expanding, but it also introduced a different dynamic in terms of corporate structure and decision-making.
The Impact of COVID-19 and the Path to Bankruptcy
The COVID-19 pandemic was a pivotal moment in the history of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD). Granpeesheh explained that, while the company had been financially healthy prior to the pandemic, the sudden disruption caused by the virus exposed vulnerabilities in the company’s structure. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, many of CARD’s clinics were forced to close temporarily, and the shift to remote services proved difficult for both staff and patients.
Granpeesheh remained involved with the company during this time, serving as an advisor to the new leadership team. However, the financial pressures exacerbated by the pandemic, coupled with leadership changes and a sudden increase in operating expenses, led to a challenging situation. Despite the challenges, Granpeesheh reflected on how she would have approached the situation differently. One of the key issues was that centers were closed without thoroughly assessing each location’s struggles and determining if there was a way to turn things around. Under her previous leadership, Granpeesheh would have focused on identifying the root causes of the challenges and working to resolve them rather than simply cutting costs.
A Fresh Start: Granpeesheh’s Vision for the Future
Now that Granpeesheh and Pant have acquired the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) out of bankruptcy, they are working to rebuild the company from the ground up. One of the first steps in this process has been to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary costs. Sangam Pant took charge of renegotiating contracts with vendors and payers, while Granpeesheh focused on rebuilding the workforce and re-engaging employees. By creating a flatter organizational structure, the team has already made significant strides in reducing overhead costs and improving efficiency.
Granpeesheh’s focus now is on returning to the company’s roots: delivering the highest quality care to patients while ensuring financial sustainability. A key part of this will involve keeping the company lean, avoiding unnecessary outsourcing, and paying close attention to the company’s financial health. In her return to the CEO position, Granpeesheh is committed to fostering a culture that values both the well-being of patients and the long-term success of the business.
Another major change is that Granpeesheh plans to reverse the trend of focusing exclusively on younger children. Previously, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) had restricted its services to early intervention, but Granpeesheh’s vision is to expand care to patients of all ages. By offering a broader range of services, the company will be able to better meet the needs of families affected by autism, regardless of age.
Granpeesheh’s return to the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) represents a new era for the company, one in which she plans to integrate lessons learned from both success and failure. Her commitment to quality care, operational efficiency, and patient-centered service is at the core of her vision for the future. As the company moves forward, it is clear that Granpeesheh’s leadership will be pivotal in navigating the complex landscape of autism treatment, and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) is poised for a bright future under her guidance.
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