LifeStance Health (NASDAQ: LFST), one of the nation’s foremost outpatient behavioral health providers, has announced a significant behavioral health leadership transition as Danish Qureshi steps into the role of Chief Operating Officer. Qureshi, who currently serves as the company’s Chief Growth Officer, will officially take over the COO position following the retirement of long-standing executive Gwen Booth on July 1.
Booth, a respected leader in behavioral health operations, will not be leaving the LifeStance mission behind. Instead, she will assume a new position as Executive Director of the LifeStance Health Foundation—a nonprofit organization committed to improving access to mental health care through grants, scholarships, and community support. This thoughtful behavioral health leadership transition reflects LifeStance’s dedication to both operational excellence and community impact.
Experienced Leadership for Continued Growth
“As a highly experienced health care executive and founding member of the LifeStance team, Danish is well-positioned to successfully guide our business through its next phase of growth,” said Michael Lester, Chairman and CEO of LifeStance. “Danish has been instrumental in the success of our organic growth engine and the rapid scaling of our business since inception. He has an excellent track record delivering against our long-term strategic priorities, and we are confident that he will excel in this new role.”
This behavioral health leadership transition marks a critical step in LifeStance’s strategic direction. Qureshi has helped drive key initiatives that have fueled the company’s expansion nationwide, contributing directly to the company’s ability to serve more individuals across both virtual and in-person platforms.
Qureshi’s Background and Expertise
Qureshi brings a diverse background in health care leadership and strategic planning. Before joining LifeStance, he served as SVP of Strategic Initiatives and COO of the post-acute division at Accelecare Wound Centers. He also held previous positions at Nautic Partners, a private equity firm, and at Bain & Company, where he specialized in strategy development and operational improvement. His experience positions him well to lead LifeStance through its next chapter of growth and innovation during this critical behavioral health leadership transition.
LifeStance’s Rapid Growth and National Reach
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, LifeStance officially launched in 2017 as an outpatient behavioral health provider after partnering with Summit Partners and Silversmith Capital Partners. Since then, the company has built a powerful care model centered around accessibility, personalization, and clinical excellence. Today, it employs over 5,000 psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and therapists, and operates in 32 states with more than 500 care centers.
The company went public in June 2021, reaching an initial valuation of $7.9 billion. Since then, it has experienced rapid expansion through a mix of acquisitions and clinician onboarding. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, LifeStance added 199 new clinicians and reported 79 total acquisitions during its April earnings call. This continued momentum is a testament to the company’s strategic planning and the strength of its leadership team—and it sets the stage for this pivotal behavioral health leadership transition.
Addressing Growing Mental Health Needs
With mental health needs continuing to rise across the U.S., LifeStance’s focus on high-quality, outpatient behavioral health care is more relevant than ever. Qureshi’s new role as COO reinforces the company’s emphasis on scalable, sustainable growth that meets the needs of diverse patient populations. This behavioral health leadership transition is more than a shift in roles—it’s a signal that LifeStance is doubling down on its mission to improve access and outcomes in behavioral health care.
Foundation Leadership and Community Impact
While Qureshi steps into his new role with a forward-facing strategic lens, Gwen Booth’s ongoing contribution through the LifeStance Health Foundation ensures that the company’s social impact efforts remain robust. The Foundation will continue supporting initiatives that remove barriers to care, fund educational opportunities, and address disparities in mental health access—further amplifying LifeStance’s holistic approach to health care and community well-being.
Strong Internal Promotion and Future Outlook
This behavioral health leadership transition also highlights the organization’s ability to retain and promote talent from within, a hallmark of sustainable corporate culture. By promoting Qureshi, a founding member who has helped shape the company’s DNA, LifeStance ensures continuity in values and vision. His deep understanding of both the operational and patient-facing sides of the business positions him uniquely to lead LifeStance into a future of responsible innovation and increased impact.
As the industry evolves with new technologies, payer models, and patient expectations, LifeStance’s proactive approach to executive planning stands out. This behavioral health leadership transition ensures the company stays ahead of the curve, equipped with leadership that blends business acumen, clinical understanding, and a patient-first philosophy.
Conclusion
In a time when behavioral health services are more essential than ever, LifeStance is making clear that strong, strategic leadership is central to its mission. With Danish Qureshi at the operational helm and Gwen Booth leading philanthropic efforts, this behavioral health leadership transition is set to shape the future of mental health care delivery across the country.
