Clinical Leaders

Lauren’s journey has always been defined by heart. At sixteen years old, Lauren was
crowned Miss Missouri Teen USA, a title that brought with it the privilege and
responsibility of service. That year, she devoted her time to volunteering with the
Special Olympics, and what began as a charitable commitment quickly became a
calling. Through countless hours spent cheering, coaching, and celebrating athletes of all abilities, Lauren realized she had found her purpose. The joy, authenticity, and courage she witnessed in those moments changed how she saw the world—and herself.

In college, while pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Lauren
began working with an adult with intellectual disabilities. It was then that she saw firsthand the profound challenges individuals face when transitioning from the structured support of the school system into adulthood. She recognized the fear and uncertainty many families experience as their children “age out” of formal education and became
determined to change that story. Lauren’s mission grew clear, to make the next chapter of life not something to fear, but something to look forward to, a time filled with opportunity, purpose, and belonging.

Lauren now leads multiple CARF-accredited programs. Lauren holds degrees from Lindenwood and Chapman Universities and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Innovation at Carolina University. Recognized as a 2024 40 Under 40 honoree and recipient of the Susan Phillips Gorin Award, she continues to advance behavioral health through innovation and mentorship, ensuring the next generation carries her mission forward.

Back to Top

Carrie discovered her passion for supporting people with serious mental health needs as a volunteer rape crisis hotline counselor--when she learned how important immediate counseling access was for all people in crisis. Shortly afterward, she joined the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as Marketing and Communications Manager for four years. There, Carrie first witnessed the power that public education efforts can have--to advocate for people with disabilities and remove barriers for underrepresented groups to foster respect. By collaborating with CSWE’s scholars and clinical experts, she gained a deeper appreciation for how aging, disability rights, and mental health intersect—and how understanding these connections is vital to promoting dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all people to live full and independent lives. This experience strengthened her belief that real progress happens when care systems embrace the whole person.

Professional and personal growth opportunities in advocacy, website development, advertising, public relations, program management, and civic leadership introduced Carrie to other nonprofit sectors for the next 14 years. Carrie was immediately drawn to CRi after reading about its Living Independently for Tomorrow (LIFT) Program. Ten percent of Carrie’s high school classmates had been in foster care, and many started experiencing a series of struggles as soon as they became 18, struggles she sees worsening years later. Carrie’s experience at CSWE continues to guide her work at CRi today. She is energized to know that, every day, working with her team on fundraising, communications, and volunteer activities makes choice and independence possible.

Back to Top

Larry has been CRi’s CIO for 22 years, during which he has focused on providing the best tools for CRi staff to deliver quality care and services. For more than 30 years he has led teams to manage many changes in healthcare information technology.

The opportunity to join and strengthen a mission-driven team drew Larry to CRi, and he has led multiple versions of CRi’s information technology team. He has directed these teams to improve communication by implementing computer networking that supports CRI’s headquarters teams and the linking of CRi’s expanding programs. He has also led CRi to use a modern “cloud” environment that enables more efficient information sharing and documentation, monitoring the progress of the individuals that CRi serves.

Larry’s background in mathematics and computer science enable him to understand the potential of technology to improve service delivery. Through his experience as a network engineer, project manager, and then Senior Principal with Information Management Consultants, he gained expertise in continuous process improvement. At CRi, Larry has collaborated with clinical and finance teams to guide the systems that allowed quality services to expand from Northern Virginia to Maryland and the greater Richmond metropolitan area.

Always looking to the future and the evolution of information technology, Larry is determined to develop partnerships that improve the systems used by CRi staff. He pushes the organization forward with technology user interface improvements that benefit Program Managers with improved functionality, and Direct Service Providers with flexibility that enhances their service provision.

Back to Top

Carrie discovered her passion for supporting people with serious mental health needs as a volunteer rape crisis hotline counselor--when she learned how important immediate counseling access was for all people in crisis. Shortly afterward, she joined the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as Marketing and Communications Manager for four years. There, Carrie first witnessed the power that public education efforts can have--to advocate for people with disabilities and remove barriers for underrepresented groups to foster respect. By collaborating with CSWE’s scholars and clinical experts, she gained a deeper appreciation for how aging, disability rights, and mental health intersect—and how understanding these connections is vital to promoting dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all people to live full and independent lives. This experience strengthened her belief that real progress happens when care systems embrace the whole person.

Professional and personal growth opportunities in advocacy, website development, advertising, public relations, program management, and civic leadership introduced Carrie to other nonprofit sectors for the next 14 years. Carrie was immediately drawn to CRi after reading about its Living Independently for Tomorrow (LIFT) Program. Ten percent of Carrie’s high school classmates had been in foster care, and many started experiencing a series of struggles as soon as they became 18, struggles she sees worsening years later. Carrie’s experience at CSWE continues to guide her work at CRi today. She is energized to know that, every day, working with her team on fundraising, communications, and volunteer activities makes choice and independence possible.

Back to Top