Debra Baetz
Murrieta,CA
Summary
Goal-driven strategic leader and decisive business professional with over 32 years of public sector and management experience. Skilled in problem-solving and optimizing performance. Capable of managing projects and collaborating effectively with teams. Committed to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends to contribute to organizational success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Linden Oaks
Buena Park, CA
01.2025 - Current
- Direct leadership of approximately 250 staff responsible for administering specialized educational and clinical services to students with disabilities.
- Oversight of a non-profit school campus providing K-12+ educational, transitional youth, and adult day programs, along with other related clinical services.
- Overseen the daily operations of the organization and ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Facilitated board meetings and provided leadership guidance to senior management.
- Drafted communications materials such as letters or emails directed towards potential donors and supporters.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated fundraising campaigns for the non-profit organization.
- Worked closely with Board Members to ensure alignment between strategic objectives set forth by Board Members and actual outcomes achieved by nonprofit staff.
Founder and CEO
Baetz Strategic Consulting
Murrieta, CA
08.2022 - Current
- Pinpointed improvement opportunities, aiding decision-makers in implementing changes.
- Implemented strategies to take advantage of new opportunities.
- Analyzed key performance indicators to identify effective strategies.
- Evaluated the needs of departments and delegated tasks to optimize overall productivity.
- Organized client meetings to provide project updates.
- Created plans to propose solutions to problems related to efficiency, costs, or profits.
- Developed presentations outlining the organization's vision, mission statement, core values, and strategy.
- Developed strategic plans and objectives to ensure long-term business growth.
Interim Agency Director
County of Orange, HEALTH CARE Agency
Santa Ana, CA
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Direct leadership of approximately 2800 staff with oversight and responsibility for five major programs: Mental Health and Recovery Services, Public Health Services, Environmental Health, Regulatory/Medical Health Services, Correctional Health Services, and Administrative Services.
- Fiscal management of an $1.1 billion annual operating budget
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local laws governing the organization's activities.
- Implemented initiatives that increased operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Evaluated current services and identified potential areas for improvement or expansion.
Agency Director
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
Orange, CA
07.2018 - 08.2022
- Direct leadership of approximately 4400 staff serving approximately 1 in 4 Orange County residents, responsible for administering public assistance benefits, providing approximately $359,862,655 in critical safety-net benefits annually; administering In-Home Services Program to approximately 31,184 vulnerable seniors and disabled adults and responding to 12,838 allegations of neglect and abuse; administering critical child welfare services responding to 54,864 allegations of abuse and neglect.
- Fiscal management of an $1.2 billion operating budget
- Created innovative promotional and customer development strategies resulting in new and improved service delivery models.
- Cultivated relationships with local community organizations to establish partnerships.
Division Director, Family Self-Sufficiency and Adult Services
County of Orange Social Services Agency
Santa Ana, CA
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Direct leadership of approximately 674 staff responsible for administering CalWORKs, Foster Care, and Refugee Assistance Programs providing approximately $226,000,000 in critical safety-net benefits annually
- Direct leadership of approximately 274 Adult Services staff responsible for the administering In-Home Services Program to approximately 31,184 vulnerable seniors and disabled adults and responding to 12,838 allegations of neglect and abuse.
- Created and implemented division-wide policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Identified areas for improvement in operational efficiency through data analysis and process mapping techniques.
Deputy Director, Administrative Services, Operations Management and Support Services
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
Santa Ana, CA
01.2016 - 08.2017
- Direct leadership of 61 Contract and Procurement, Research, Childcare and Legislation Coordination and Special project staff providing administrative support to the agency's four divisions comprised of approximately 4379 staff.
- Managed budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
- Directed staff in the accomplishment of organizational objectives.
- Monitored and evaluated program effectiveness, making adjustments as necessary.
Deputy Director, Administrative Services, Professional Standards and Development
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
Santa Ana, CA
04.2014 - 01.2016
- Direct leadership and management of approximately 200 Training and Career Development, Program Integrity, Centralized Operations and CEO-Human Resource staff administering support to the agency's four divisions comprised of approximately 4379 budgeted positions.
- Developed and executed the agency's Annual Training Plan resulting in the successful development, coordination and facilitation of over 6,971 hours of classroom training attended by 42,698 participants in FY 15/16.
- Developed and executed the successful submission of the department's Civil Rights Plan.
- Oversight of agency recruitment and employee relations activities.
Deputy Director, Adult Services and Assistance Programs
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
Santa Ana, CA
07.2010 - 04.2014
- Direct leadership of 1749 eligibility staff who administer benefits to 644,727 active beneficiaries
- Fiscal management of a $160,000,000 operating budget.
Education
MBA - Masters of Business Administration
University of California Irvine
Irvine, CA01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration
California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA01.2016
Associate of Arts - Gerontology
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA01.2012
Associate of Arts - Behavioral and Social Sciences
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA01.2012
Certificate of ACHIEVEMENT - LIA, Executive Development Program
Southern Consortium of Human Services
Santa Ana, CA01.2010
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Training and Career Development
- Organizational Assessment and process Improvements
- Transformational Change Management
- Community Relations and Partnerships
Accomplishments
- Implemented organizational evaluation and restructuring initiatives which led to greater accountability, increased effectiveness, enhanced support to staff and improved departmental outcomes.
- Implemented a robust community outreach program which brought key departmental services directly to communities most in need.
- Drove the development and passing of new legislation that allows key stakeholders to create multidisciplinary teams in support of vulnerable seniors and those with disabilities.
- Adopted multiple approaches to meet the service needs of our vulnerable populations during the COVID 19 pandemic; direct outreach to current and former seniors, disabled adults associated with the Adult Protective Service Program and youth, families and caregivers known to child welfare.
- Instituted business process redesign with implementation of needs-based service delivery business model resulting in increased operational efficiencies, staff productivity and enhanced client service.
- Modernized employee training and skills development academy curriculum and operations.
Communityrelationsandpartnerships
- Board Vice Chair, Speech and Language Development Center
- Board Member, Community Health Initiative of Orange County
Awards
- 2022 Healthcare Hero Honoree
- 2020 CSAC Innovation Award
- 2019 Red Carpet Award, Orange County Business Council
Timeline
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Linden Oaks
01.2025 - Current
Interim Agency Director
County of Orange, HEALTH CARE Agency
07.2023 - 04.2024
Founder and CEO
Baetz Strategic Consulting
08.2022 - Current
Agency Director
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
07.2018 - 08.2022
Division Director, Family Self-Sufficiency and Adult Services
County of Orange Social Services Agency
08.2017 - 07.2018
Deputy Director, Administrative Services, Operations Management and Support Services
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
01.2016 - 08.2017
Deputy Director, Administrative Services, Professional Standards and Development
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
04.2014 - 01.2016
Deputy Director, Adult Services and Assistance Programs
County of Orange, Social Services Agency
07.2010 - 04.2014
MBA - Masters of Business Administration
University of California Irvine
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration
California State University Fullerton
Associate of Arts - Gerontology
Coastline Community College
Associate of Arts - Behavioral and Social Sciences
Coastline Community College
Certificate of ACHIEVEMENT - LIA, Executive Development Program
Southern Consortium of Human Services
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