Dr. Kirsten Watkins has been named the permanent CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center following eight months in the interim role.
The previous CEO, Patrick Schmitz, held the role from mid-2017 until he resigned from his position in June 2024 amid a financial crisis. The center’s governing board named Watkins as his interim replacement the same day.
The center announced Watkins’ selection in a news release Tuesday morning. She becomes just the fourth CEO of the center in its 75-year history.
“Although many things are uncertain around us, I’ve never felt uncertain about Bert Nash – our role in this community or our potential to be the best place to seek behavioral health care,” Watkins said in the release. “Our agency is focused and united on what matters most.”
Watkins joined Bert Nash in August 2021. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating behavioral health challenges, according to the release.
Matthew Herbert, chair of the board of directors, said the board is extremely excited to plan for the center’s long-term future with Watkins at the helm.
During her time as interim CEO, Watkins “improved financial stability through disciplined planning and mission alignment, strengthening core services, ensuring sustainable systems of care, and advancing key initiatives such as the Judge Jean Shepherd Youth Recovery Center,” according to the release.
“In her eight months as interim CEO she demonstrated the ability to lead with determination and strength despite any outside obstacles that were thrown in her way,” he said in the release. “As a board we feel very confident that we have found the right person for the job.”
Watkins continued in her role as the center’s clinical director throughout her time as interim CEO. Bert Nash will now begin the process of hiring a new clinical director, according to the release.
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