International Women’s Day
Celebrating the Women of NewPath
March 8th is International Women’s Day! Join us in celebrating the female team members that work hard every day at NewPath to empower and inspire the community.
Women-Founded, Women-Led
Today is International Women’s Day, and NewPath Child & Family Solutions (formerly St. Joseph Orphanage) has a long history of empowering all individuals, including women. In October 1829, NewPath was initially founded by women, specifically the Sisters of Charity. Originally, NewPath was an orphanage for young girls who lost their parents to illness, natural disasters, and poverty. By 1902, 500 girls and boys lived at (former) St. Joseph Orphanage. In 1990, the orphanage was replaced by foster care services, and we began transitioning to support mental health needs.
Today, NewPath is a premier behavioral health, specialized education, and child welfare agency. However, we do more than support children and families recovering from trauma. NewPath also empowers our team members to grow personally and professionally. We strive to do better through growth and positive change at every level in our agency. On International Women’s Day and every day, we want all our team members to feel supported, invested in, and have growth opportunities.
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, NewPath is especially proud of all our strong, professional female team members. Nearly 79% of NewPath Team Members identify as female. There are four all-female departments at NewPath, including Central Access, Development, Human Resources, and Marketing. Currently, 9 out of 15 members on NewPath’s Executive & Leadership Teams identify as female.
Female Leaders of NewPath
WOmen in Leadership
Tricia Mullins, MA
Chief Impact Officer
Tricia has 14 years in the healthcare industry and over eight years in healthcare philanthropy, focusing on grateful patient and family engagement. She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Mercy College of Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies from Northern Kentucky University, focusing on Health and Human Services, Public Administration, Sociology, and Organizational Leadership. Tricia also holds an Associate of Science degree with a major in Business from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Dorothy Bayless
Assistant Director of Day Programs
Dottie began her journey with NewPath Child & Family Solutions (St. Joseph Orphanage) over 20 years ago when she first began as a Therapeutic Group Leader in our Residential Program. Over the years, she has transitioned into roles serving youth in several programs, including Residential, Education, and Day Treatment. Dottie earned a B.S. in Art Therapy from Bowling Green State University with a passion for experiential learning.
Brandy Desenberg, MSW, LSW
Senior Director of Services
Brandy is the Senior Director of Services for Outpatient Mental Health, Day Programs, and Medical. She is a graduate of Miami University and the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work. She has been with NewPath Child & Family Solutions (St. Joseph Orphanage) since 2011 and has been practicing in the field since 2008. She began as a case manager and therapist. Brandy has a passion for ensuring children and families have access to high-quality care when they need it. Brandy enjoys spending time with her family and two children in her free time.
Julie Herrmann, MS, LPCC-S
Director of Outpatient
Julie joined NewPath Child & Family Solutions (St. Joseph Orphanage) in 2019 as one of our Outpatient Regional Directors. She has been in the community mental health field since 2007 and finds purpose and passion in meeting the mental health needs of children, youth, and families in our community. In addition to providing leadership to the Outpatient North team, Julie serves on the Joining Forces for Children steering committee, focusing on decreasing the impact of toxic stress and ACES.
Joy Johnston
Facilities Manager & Purchasing Coordinator
Joy joined NewPath Child & Family Solutions (St. Joseph Orphanage) in 2006 in the Finance Department with several positions, including payables and budget coordinator and purchasing. She became Director of Facilities in 2016. Joy’s favorite part of her work at NewPath is making sure each campus has the “wow” factor when entering each facility. She takes pride in ensuring that each property runs smoothly and is safe as possible for staff and children. Joy enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Diane King, MSML
Data & EHR Manager
Diane has served as a team member of NewPath Child & Family Solutions (St. Joseph Orphanage) for over 28 years. In her current role as Data & EHR Manager, Diane supports the organization by collecting, analyzing, and publishing data in a meaningful way. Diane believes in the power of data to influence decisions, guide strategy, and produce more significant outcomes. Diane serves as a peer mentor to adult students returning to school to complete their undergraduate degrees and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children in her free time.
Kim Rehage, MS, LPCC
Director of Central Services
Kim is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio who is committed to connecting children and their families to the services they need. As the Director of Central Services, Kim oversees the operations of our central services, including Central Access, Central Medical/Nursing, and Central Scheduling. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Ball State University and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Kentucky University.
Esther Urick, LPCC-S
Senior Director of Services
Esther is the Senior Director of Services for Foster Care, Independent Living, and Residential Interventions. She has created the Independent Living Program and overseen the implementation of several transition-aged youth programs such as the Transition to Independence Process (TIP), Bridges, My First Place, and Journey Housing. Esther also oversees the foster care programs in Cincinnati and Dayton areas. She is motivated to provide children and young adults with safe and secure homes and improve their lives and instill them with hope for their futures. Esther is inspired by the youth she serves to use her imagination and find new creative ways to run programs that make a difference in young people’s lives.
All-Female Departments
Words of Empowerment – NewPath Women
“To me, being a woman in the workforce means accepting all the parts of myself that are mistaken for weakness and channeling those feminine qualities into power – clinically, interpersonally, and ambitiously. Being a woman in the workforce means honoring all the women who had come before me whose dreams and goals were stifled; it’s my goal to follow my career path in their memory.
Cassie Katenkamp, School-Based Therapist
Women leaders in this organization inspire change and provide representation to the majority of the clinical staff who are working tirelessly to enact change and support clients. My incredible female supervisors (Julie Herrmann and Rebekah Brown) encourage my professional growth and my personal challenges while fostering a supervisory relationship I always look forward to engaging in. They are fearless leaders. My case management partner (Paige Tibbetts) speaks up for what’s right, extends compassion, and advocates for clients and staff to support anyone she works with.”
“The quote I love and have learned from is by Michelle Obama, ‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of using your voice.'”
Allie Daria, Corporate Partnerships Coordinator
“The strongest women are those that use their strengths and talents to uplift the people around them. I have been fortunate enough to work surrounded by strong and inspiring women. They have and continue to shape me into the professional I am today.”
Meghan Weibel, Community Engagement Coordinator
“Every member of my team is now female, and I have the utmost respect for their contributions to NewPath and beyond! For me, knowing their achievements expands my sense of what I am capable of and what is possible! They are all truly role models to me as a young woman in the workplace!”
Anna Marie Logan, Talent Development Coordinator
“Real women want to see other women win. We rise by lifting others.”
Kristina Pfaffinger, Development Coordinator
“Once, I was told I would grow up to be someone special and that I would make a difference in the world. Growing up, I always thought I would become a Superstar. However, becoming an adult and working with families and children, I quickly learned that Superstars are not the only people to make a difference in the world.”
Laquita Howell, Family Advocate
“My daughter recently told me when she grows up, she wants to be a teacher AND a mommy. It’s important for me to be an example to my girls that you can be more than one thing. You don’t have to pick family or career; you can have both!”
Kaela Simpson, EHR Systems Specialist
“When I reflect on working with our team at NewPath, we are surrounded by so many amazing and talented leaders. We lift each other up, inspire one another, and help each other to do more than we ever thought possible. I have personally grown due to the leaders who have invested in and inspired me and I can only hope to instill that into others.”
Kate Burkhardt, Marketing Manager
Words of Gratitude – Newpath executive team
“I feel privileged to come to work every day with the awesome women who work here at NewPath. ‘The seeds of success in every nation on Earth are best planted in women and children.’ – Joyce Banda'”
Eric Cummins, Chief Executive Officer
“I am so privileged to work alongside some of the most talented, intelligent, and passionate women in the world here at NewPath Child & Family Solutions. I continue to be inspired and challenged as I see each of them show up each day, pour their hearts and talents into serving our youth and families, and continue to push us all to be better. Both myself and our agency are incredibly fortunate to have them in our lives and celebrate all of the incredibly impactful heroines of NewPath.”
John Parran, Chief Operating Officer
“Being a female executive at NewPath allows me the opportunity to assist in developing other strong leaders, both male and female. Looking back on my career, I have been blessed with incredible mentors who have aided in my accomplishments and, most importantly, my confidence. I am where I am today because leaders believed in me. I, too, want to be a leader who inspires others to be their best professionally and personally. Moving toward bettering the environments we work, live, and play in. Gender equity continues to head in the correct direction, which is motivational for the younger generations we are leaving behind. So many of us can say we played a vital role in that transformation – how exciting!”
Tricia Mullins, Chief Impact Officer
“I’m proud to have such a professional, successful, and effective group of women working in our finance team. They get things done on time and accurately and truly embody at least two of our NewPath values of Empowerment and Determination.”
John Colegrove, Chief Financial Officer
“Being surrounded by such an amazing group of powerful and passionate women every day at NewPath is nothing short of incredible. I feel blessed to be able to stand side by side with them and watch firsthand how they balance work and family life with such grace while giving every staff member and client they encounter their full care and attention!”
Dr. Joe Rieman, Chief Medical Officer
Recruiting Empowered Professionals
Our staff is a part of a work team full of compassion as we strive to build hope and strengthen the lives of so many in our community. Our agency is constantly growing to meet the community’s needs and value each client and offer the opportunity to help them overcome any past trauma or life event. In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we invite all those that identify as female to join our empowered team.