Emerging as a respected leader and trusted voice in behavioral health, Kathleen O. O’Brien, CEO, has dedicated more than four decades to advancing care and policy in the field, with a specialized focus on substance use disorders. Since 2019, she has served as the chief executive officer of Walden Wise, where she has been instrumental in steering the organization toward innovative approaches to mental health care. Her leadership is defined by a forward-thinking vision that frames behavioral health as brain health, advocating for its full integration into the broader health care system.
Dr. O’Brien’s impact in the field began long before her current role. From 1975 to 2019, she led Walden Sierra Behavioral Health as chief executive officer, where she was pivotal in establishing the state’s only comprehensive publicly funded program offering a full continuum of care. Her leadership extended into state policy as well. Through her work on the governor’s council, she shaped meaningful reforms in domestic violence prevention and intervention, leaving a lasting legacy on clinical practice and public health policy.
Dr. O’Brien’s professional journey also includes her involvement with organizations committed to advancing behavioral health and child welfare. She is a member of the Child Welfare League of America, a nationally recognized coalition that advocates for improved policies and practices to protect vulnerable children and strengthen families. Additionally, she is actively engaged with Walden Wise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting brain health, reducing stigma, and expanding access to behavioral health services in southern Maryland.
Dr. O’Brien’s academic background laid a strong foundation for these career achievements. She graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and later earned a PhD in philosophy in clinical psychology from La Salle University.
Reflecting on her path, Dr. O’Brien’s most significant professional accomplishment is receiving the National Sunshine Peace Award from The Sunshine Lady Foundation, which honors outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact in the field of domestic violence. Other key achievements include her influential service on the governor’s council, where she helped shape critical policy reforms, and her central role in establishing Maryland’s only comprehensive, publicly funded program providing multiple levels of behavioral health care.
Dr. O’Brien’s dedication to the field has earned her several other prestigious honors, including the Social Impact Award from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. in 2010 and the Doing More with Less Award from the State of Maryland Comptroller in 2012, in which she was recognized for her ability to effect meaningful change, even under resource constraints. She attributes her success to the unwavering support of her husband and the many individuals she has had the privilege to serve. She is also deeply grateful to the mentors and former clients who have returned to share their positive experiences and helped amplify her work through word of mouth.
Looking to the future, Dr. O’Brien aims to shift the perception of behavioral health within the broader health care landscape, promoting the understanding of behavioral health as brain health. She is also focused on raising awareness about the mission of Walden Wise and the unique needs of children. Moreover, she is currently working on a book reflecting her experiences raising her children. Outside of her professional life, she values time with her family, including her four children, and enjoys traveling and spending time on the water.