Chatsworth, California-based autism therapy provider 360 Behavioral Health is undergoing an autism therapy provider CEO transition as Rob Marsh announces his decision to step down. Marsh, who became CEO in January 2022, will transition to a board member role while pursuing other professional opportunities. His final day as CEO will be April 30, 2025. Kate Sheldon-Princi, the company’s current chief operating officer, will step in as interim CEO during this leadership transition.
This transition is particularly noteworthy as it represents the third CEO change since private equity firm DW Healthcare Partners acquired 360 Behavioral Health in August 2018. At the time of acquisition, Dennis Kogod served as CEO and executive chairman, followed by Paul Fischer, who led the company from February 2019 until November 2021, before Marsh took over.
A Brief History: From California Psychcare to 360 Behavioral Health
Founded in 2003 by Ali Sadeghi and Leili Zarbakhsh, 360 Behavioral Health initially operated under the name California Psychcare. Over the years, it has evolved into one of California’s prominent autism therapy providers. The 2018 acquisition by DW Healthcare Partners marked a pivotal moment, setting the stage for new leadership and strategic directions aimed at expanding and refining the company’s offerings.
Early Challenges During Marsh’s Tenure
Rob Marsh stepped into the CEO role at a challenging time for the autism therapy industry. Early in his tenure, he had to manage a significant round of layoffs, reflecting the financial and operational pressures facing many autism therapy providers nationwide. These pressures included long-stagnant payer reimbursement rates that had not kept pace with inflation or rising operational costs, intense competition from rapidly expanding platform companies, and chronic difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.
The early 2020s were marked by a confluence of factors that stressed many providers: increasing demand for services, workforce shortages, and financial constraints. Autism therapy providers had to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain quality care while ensuring financial sustainability.
Stabilization and Growth: Signs of Recovery and Expansion
Since those difficult early months under Marsh’s leadership, 360 Behavioral Health has made notable strides toward stabilizing its business. Improvements in payer rates and a somewhat easing staffing crisis have helped the company regain footing. Marsh’s leadership has focused on operational efficiency, staff retention initiatives, and enhancing the quality of care delivery.
Moreover, the company has turned its focus to growth. In addition to operating 21 autism therapy centers across California, 360 Behavioral Health runs nine ancillary support service locations offering critical resources such as respite care and personal assistance. These ancillary services play an essential role in providing comprehensive support to individuals with autism and their families.
Significantly, 360 Behavioral Health is now expanding beyond California, with plans to open two new locations in Nebraska. This geographic expansion highlights the company’s ambition to extend its reach and serve more communities in need of specialized autism therapy services.
The Broader Context: CEO Transitions Across Autism Therapy Providers
The leadership change at 360 Behavioral Health comes amid a wave of CEO transitions among major autism therapy providers, signaling possible shifts in the strategic direction and operational models in this rapidly evolving sector.
Just last week, Jason Owen, CEO of BlueSprig Pediatrics—a large autism therapy provider backed by private equity firm KKR—announced his departure to join Envision Healthcare. BlueSprig, founded by KKR in 2018, now operates 128 locations nationwide and had Owen as CEO since February 2022.
Similarly, Kathleen Stengel, CEO of NeurAbilities Healthcare, recently announced her exit. NeurAbilities received a significant investment from Nashville-based private equity firm Council Capital in 2018. These leadership changes across prominent providers reflect broader trends affecting the autism therapy market, including consolidation, increased competition, and the need for innovation to meet growing demand.
What This Means for 360 Behavioral Health and the Autism Therapy Industry
CEO transitions, especially at large providers like 360 Behavioral Health, often come with both challenges and opportunities. For 360 Behavioral Health, Kate Sheldon-Princi’s interim appointment signals continuity and operational stability during the leadership handover. With her deep understanding of the company as COO, she is well-positioned to guide the organization through this transitional phase.
Looking forward, the company’s leadership will need to maintain momentum on growth initiatives, continue addressing workforce challenges, and adapt to changing payer landscapes. Autism therapy is a field that requires constant innovation in clinical approaches, staff training, and service delivery models to meet the diverse needs of individuals with autism and their families.
For the broader sector, these recent CEO departures and appointments may herald a period of strategic realignment. Providers are likely to focus on improving operational efficiencies, expanding services geographically, and leveraging technology to enhance care.
Conclusion
The departure of Rob Marsh as CEO of 360 Behavioral Health marks a notable shift in the autism therapy provider’s leadership. Under his guidance, the company navigated industry-wide challenges, stabilized operations, and set the stage for future growth. With Marsh transitioning to a board role and Sheldon-Princi stepping in as interim CEO, this autism therapy provider CEO transition presents new opportunities to enhance services and broaden its impact.
Meanwhile, the recent flurry of CEO changes across major autism therapy providers signals that the industry as a whole is evolving rapidly. The coming months and years will be critical in defining how providers respond to market pressures, innovate in care delivery, and meet the increasing demand for high-quality autism therapy services nationwide.
360 Behavioral Health’s story is emblematic of the broader autism therapy sector — one characterized by resilience, adaptation, and the ongoing pursuit of improved outcomes for the communities it serves. The ongoing autism therapy provider CEO transition at 360 Behavioral Health is a pivotal moment that reflects these broader trends and the dynamic nature of the field.
