As the behavioral health landscape continues to evolve, leadership transitions are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of care delivery, strategy, and innovation. The Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025 wave is already off to a dynamic start, marked by high-profile appointments that signal a broader shift in priorities—growth, accessibility, technology integration, and compassionate leadership.
One of the most notable developments comes from Accanto Health, a leader in eating disorder treatment. Accanto has named behavioral health veteran Tom Britton as its new Chief Executive Officer. Britton brings decades of experience in leading multi-site behavioral health organizations, including previous CEO roles at American Addiction Centers, Gateway Foundation, and Acadia Healthcare. His appointment is a strategic move as Accanto looks to expand its footprint and improve access to care through its brands: The Emily Program, Veritas Collaborative, and Gather Behavioral Health.
“With the growing awareness of eating disorders and the demand for quality, compassionate care, we needed someone who understands the complexity of multi-site behavioral health care,” said Dirk Miller, executive chair of Accanto and founder of The Emily Program. “Tom’s passion for behavioral health and his deep commitment to walking beside those we serve makes him the right leader for this next chapter.” The addition of Britton is a significant highlight in the growing list of Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025.
Gateway Foundation Expands Philanthropic Reach
Meanwhile, Gateway Foundation is also in the spotlight with the appointment of Ave Marie Costa as its new director of development. Costa, who previously led philanthropic partnerships at the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, will now spearhead fundraising efforts at Gateway. This move is part of the organization’s broader philanthropic expansion under the leadership of CEO Jeremy Klemanski, who succeeded Tom Britton in January 2023. The focus on fundraising and community engagement underscores Gateway’s commitment to scaling its substance use disorder and mental health services across the country.
Costa joins a growing leadership team that includes recent hires Deborah Solmor as general counsel and Jim Scarpace as chief clinical officer. These moves mark Gateway’s dedication to long-term sustainability and growth—another key marker in the trend of Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025.
Lightning Step Adds CFO to Fuel Tech Growth
As the behavioral health space becomes increasingly tech-driven, software providers are also reshuffling their executive teams to support innovation and operational excellence. Houston-based Lightning Step, a provider of all-in-one electronic medical record (EMR), revenue cycle management (RCM), and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, has appointed Matt Wesolosky as its new chief financial officer. With prior experience as vice president and controller at Net Health, Wesolosky’s expertise is expected to drive financial transparency and efficiency as Lightning Step enters a high-growth phase.
His arrival, along with the company’s recent partnership with CHESS Health and the appointment of Brent Michael as CEO in late 2023, contributes to the broader story of Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025. These leadership changes indicate a continued push toward integrated technology solutions in behavioral health operations.
Multi-Health Systems Inc. Promotes From Within
Further north, Multi-Health Systems Inc. (MHS) has elevated John Clarke from chief revenue officer to CEO. Clarke’s leadership comes at a pivotal time as MHS, a provider of data-driven digital solutions for behavioral health assessment, continues its mission to help clinicians evaluate and track patient progress through advanced technology.
With over four decades of service in the behavioral health assessment space, MHS is positioning itself for global impact under Clarke’s leadership. His promotion reflects the industry’s emphasis on combining purpose-driven leadership with scalable, tech-forward operations—another defining trait of Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025.
Thriveworks Welcomes Back Irene Frohlich
In the outpatient care sector, Thriveworks has welcomed back Irene Frohlich as vice president of enterprise success. Frohlich, who served as Thriveworks’ chief of staff from 2022 to 2023, returns to lead enterprise strategy and drive client success initiatives. Her return signals a renewed focus on accessibility and quality in outpatient mental health care.
“My return is fueled by the passion to make quality mental healthcare more accessible,” Frohlich noted. Thriveworks, headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, has grown rapidly in recent years, raising $340 million in 2021 and launching youth mental health programs to meet rising demand.
This strategic rehire adds to the growing narrative of Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025 and underscores how companies are investing in experienced, mission-aligned talent to drive growth and patient outcomes.
The Bigger Picture in Behavioral Health Leadership
These leadership changes reflect more than just new faces at the top—they symbolize a renewed commitment across the behavioral health industry to innovate, grow, and serve more people in need. The Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025 trend showcases how organizations are prioritizing operational excellence, mission-driven leadership, and integrated care delivery as they navigate an increasingly complex health landscape.
From expanding access to care and developing philanthropic strategies to harnessing data and refining enterprise solutions, these leaders are tasked with steering their organizations through the next phase of transformation. As more transitions unfold throughout the year, stakeholders across the behavioral health spectrum will be watching closely to see how these appointments translate into real-world impact for clients, families, and care teams.
Looking Ahead
In an industry where leadership often directly correlates with quality outcomes, the Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025 not only highlight the movers and shakers of today but also set the tone for what’s possible tomorrow. The emphasis on collaborative, tech-savvy, and patient-centered leadership suggests a future where behavioral health care becomes more accessible, more efficient, and more empathetic than ever before.
As more companies follow suit and announce new leadership in the coming months, the Behavioral Health Leadership Changes 2025 will continue to shape how care is delivered, managed, and experienced across the country.
