Clarise Burton

Mission-driven human services executive with 20+ years of progressive leadership across housing, community, and behavioral health systems. Directs multi-program portfolios with full administrative, clinical, fiscal, and quality-improvement accountability — currently overseeing operations, funder compliance, and new-business development for a division with staff of up to 122 and an annual budget of $32M+. Builds high-performing teams, translates regulatory and funder requirements into operational practice, and drives measurable improvements in service quality, contract compliance, and continuous quality improvement (CQI). Recognized for cross-sector partnership development, grant and regulatory application leadership, and consumer-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive program design.

• Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
• Motivational Interviewing
• Adult MHFA- Certified Adult Mental Health First Aid

• Over 20 years of progressively responsible leadership in behavioral health, homelessness services, affordable housing, and community-based nonprofit organizations.
• Successfully led multi-site programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and housing instability.
• Directed operations across multiple county-funded and state-funded programs, ensuring contractual compliance, quality assurance, and positive client outcomes.
• Managed a $32 million+ organizational portfolio, overseeing budgets, fiscal accountability, contract performance, and resource allocation.
• Provided executive-level oversight and supervision for more than 120 employees, including managers, supervisors, clinicians, case managers, peer specialists, and administrative staff.
• Built and strengthened high-performing interdisciplinary teams through coaching, mentorship, leadership development, and performance management.
• Championed Housing First and trauma-informed service models that improved housing stability and client-centered care.
• Developed and implemented operational systems that increased efficiency, accountability, and program effectiveness across multiple service sites.
• Served as a trusted liaison with county behavioral health departments, city funders, housing authorities, community partners, and nonprofit stakeholders.
• Led programs through complex organizational transitions, restructures, funding changes, and program closures while maintaining continuity of care and regulatory compliance.
• Oversaw compliance with federal, state, county, and grant-funded contracts, ensuring successful monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Utilized data analysis, HMIS reporting, and performance metrics to guide strategic decision-making and improve program outcomes.
• Improved organizational accountability through quality improvement initiatives, documentation standards, and performance monitoring.
• Successfully managed crisis response, risk management, and operational decision-making in high-acuity behavioral health environments.
• Established collaborative partnerships with healthcare providers, housing providers, community organizations, and public agencies to improve client access to services.
• Advanced equitable access to behavioral health and housing services by implementing culturally responsive and client-centered practices.
• Mentored emerging nonprofit leaders and promoted professional development among staff and management teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in change management by guiding teams through organizational restructuring, staffing transitions, and funding reductions.
• Played a key leadership role in strategic planning, program development, staffing models, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Consistently balanced mission-driven leadership with strong fiscal stewardship and operational excellence.
• Earned a reputation for building collaborative relationships across departments, funders, community partners, and executive leadership.
• Successfully represented organizations in meetings with government agencies, community collaboratives, and stakeholder groups.
• Completed the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Core Certificate Program, further strengthening executive leadership, governance, and nonprofit management expertise.
• Earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, combining clinical knowledge with executive operational leadership.
• Recognized by colleagues and peers for compassionate leadership, integrity, collaboration, and the ability to build trust across diverse teams.
• Maintained a strong focus on improving outcomes for underserved communities while advancing organizational sustainability and long-term impact.

• Institute for Nonprofit Practice
• EveryOne Home
• Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Department

Standards, Compliance, and Funding Committee- Voting Member

EveryOne Home

06/2026-Present

The purpose of the CoC Standards, Compliance, and Funding Committee will be to support preparation of applications for CoC funding and support the Leadership Board in fulfilling its obligations as outlined in the HUD’s CoC Program Interim Rule at 24 CFR 578.8

Alameda County African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee Member

Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Department

10/2025-03/2026

The African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee served as a time-limited, thirteen-member body focused on ensuring the African American Wellness Hub provides culturally affirming, holistic, and community-based feedback to inform design and construction. The African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee was established by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) to provide specific input into the development of a Hub centering on African American wellness, providing critical guidance on:
- Emphasizing cultural and community relevance
- Wellness and behavioral health services
- Strategies for outreach, collaboration, integration, access, utilization, and sustainability

 

Clarise Burton is a passionate and purpose-driven leader deeply committed to advancing housing, behavioral health, and supportive services for vulnerable communities. Her career has been guided by a steadfast belief in service, equity, and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

Clarise began her professional journey in direct service as a Parks & Recreation staff member in Tacoma, Washington. She later supervised high school students in a work-study program in SeaTac before completing a fellowship serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Seattle. It was through this fellowship that she developed a passion for case management and discovered the transformative impact of frontline human services.

She continued her work with youth and families as a School-Based Mentorship Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, strengthening her commitment to community-centered programming and positive youth development. In 2012, driven by a desire to broaden her impact, Clarise relocated to Washington, DC, where she served diverse populations facing homelessness and systemic inequities, including survivors of domestic violence, veterans, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, people experiencing serious mental illness, justice-involved youth impacted by gang violence, and individuals returning to the community after incarceration.

Throughout her career, Clarise has developed extensive expertise in case management, clinical engagement, supervision, program administration, and organizational leadership. She earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lancaster Bible College, became a Credentialed Advocate through the National Advocate Credentialing Program, and received training in Motivational Interviewing. In April 2026, she graduated from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice's Core Certificate Program, where she strengthened her executive leadership capabilities in strategic planning, nonprofit financial management, board governance, adaptive leadership, racial equity, systems thinking, organizational change, and cross-sector collaboration.

Prior to relocating to California, Clarise served as Reentry Program Manager and Violence Prevention Senior Case Manager for a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. In this leadership role, she supervised multidisciplinary teams, managed complex grant-funded programs, oversaw budgets, strengthened cross-system partnerships, coordinated clinical and community referrals, facilitated family group conferences, and supported grant development and program evaluation.

After relocating to the Bay Area to be closer to family, Clarise joined Bay Area Community Services (BACS) in December 2021, inspired by the organization's mission to end homelessness, disrupt cycles of poverty, and support recovery for individuals living with mental illness. She began as a Program Manager, where she strengthened her expertise in program operations, contract compliance, staff supervision, quality improvement, financial stewardship, crisis response, Housing First implementation, trauma-informed care, and building strong community partnerships. Her ability to improve program performance, develop staff, and lead through complexity earned her a promotion to Associate Director of Programs.

As Associate Director of Programs, Clarise provided strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of housing, behavioral health, and supportive service programs. She oversaw multidisciplinary teams, multimillion-dollar budgets, contract and regulatory compliance, organizational change initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships while mentoring emerging leaders and driving continuous quality improvement. This role has expanded her expertise in executive leadership, organizational development, systems improvement, strategic planning, fiscal oversight, change management, performance measurement, and the alignment of operations with mission-driven outcomes.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to equity, Clarise believes that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful change. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams, building sustainable systems, and creating environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered. Her life's mission is to advance compassionate, person-centered services that help individuals heal, achieve stability, and create lasting opportunities for themselves and their communities.