We are pleased to announce that Jeanne Russo, Senior Vice President of Community-Based Mental Health, has been appointed as Vinfen’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Ms. Russo will oversee Vinfen’s various operational divisions including Community-Based Mental Health, Developmental Services, Brain Injury, Behavioral Health, Integrated Care, and Vinfen Connecticut. Ms. Russo brings both a proven track record of Vinfen leadership and tremendous industry experience to her new role.

Ms. Russo began working for Vinfen 18 years ago, as a Vice President and Director of Service, initially for the Northeast Area services for both the Community-Based Mental Health and Developmental Services Divisions. In 2008, she accepted responsibility for the licensed programs at Vinfen’s behavioral health clinic in Lawrence and throughout Massachusetts and continued to oversee the Northeast Area Community-Based Mental Health services. In 2016-2017, Ms. Russo was invited by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to participate in a yearlong steering committee that provided input and guidance to the Department on the development of the Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) model, which was implemented in July of 2018. In July 2019, Ms. Russo was promoted to Senior Vice President for the Community-Based Mental Health Division. During Ms. Russo’s tenure with Vinfen, she has served as the lead author in responding to over 30 Requests for Responses (RFRs) for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) contract bids. Prior to joining Vinfen, she served for 13 years in senior leadership positions at North Suffolk Mental Health, including serving as the Chief Operating Officer from 2001 to 2004 and acting Chief Executive Officer in 2004.

President and CEO Jean Yang shared, “No one is more qualified than Jeanne to take on this operational leadership role, especially at this exciting time when Vinfen is leveraging its deep expertise to grow in new and expanded ways. Jeanne’s exceptional knowledge and capabilities, combined with her unwavering commitment to serving the community, have long made her a trusted leader to Vinfen staff. I am excited to work closely with Jeanne in moving the organization forward.”

Ms. Russo has worked on many division-level initiatives, such as the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) fidelity plan and the design and implementation of the Transitions to Independence Program (TIP) that serves transition age youth and young adults in a strengths-based model. In addition, Ms. Russo has worked collaboratively with DMH in the Northeast Area on projects including the federally funded Healthy Transitions Grant awarded to DMH known as YouForward and YouthQuake.

“I am honored to accept the position of Chief Operating Officer at a pivotal time in Vinfen’s evolution. I am excited to work with our new President and CEO Jean Yang to move Vinfen forward while supporting our mission, values, and all our constituents,” stated Ms. Russo. “My long-term commitment to providing community-based services to people struggling with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges will continue to guide my work in this new role. I look forward to the future and ongoing positive impact our organization will continue to have on community-based services.”

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Russo on her new role as Chief Operating Officer!