Melissa Lewis, MSW
Attleboro,MA
Summary
Multi-talented Senior Executive knowledgeable about service delivery, operations, fiscal and personnel management. Successful at stepping into diverse positions and making immediate positive contributions. Focused on optimizing operations and motivating employees while establishing a positive cultural framework. Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President of Operations-Services
Advocates
01.2024 - Current
- Provide complete fiscal, operational, medical, and clinical oversight of Developmental Services, Brain Injury, Family and Autism Centers and Services. Responsibility includes over $120 million in annualized revenue.
- Oversight of 1600 employees in large, complex and diverse workforce
- Provide oversight of Day Habilitation, Employment Services, Residential, Shared Living, Adult Family Care, Autism, Family Services, and centralized Medical and Clinical teams supporting operations.
- Provide vision, strategic planning and fiscal management to Senior Leadership team
- Lead, empower and guide quality service delivery in community-based models
- Motivate and lead team to reimagine and design person centered services in outcome-based environment
- Partner with funding sources and regulatory agencies to provide innovative services and progressive models for service delivery
- Creative strategist for new service models to reach broader community engagement
- Championed innovation by encouraging cross-functional teams to pursue creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Strengthened relationships with key stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration across organization.
- Presented and discussed strategy and initiative progress with senior business leaders.
- Restructured departments for increased efficiency, optimizing resource allocation and improving communication between teams.
- Influenced organizational change initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction.
- Established and directed successful programs focused on quality and person centered outcomes
- Led cross-functional teams for successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased satisfaction from key stakeholders
- Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
- Established culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across organization.
- Established partnerships with local community organizations to promote diversity initiatives both internally and externally.
- Member of Executive Leadership team focused on Strategic initiatives and future visioning.
Senior Vice President-Adult and Family Services
HMEA
04.2019 - 01.2024
- Provided complete fiscal, operational, medical, and clinical oversight of Adult and Family Services Divisions. Responsibility
- Provided oversight of Day Habilitation, Employment Services, Residential, Shared Living, Adult Family Care, Autism, and Family Services
- Provided vision, strategic planning, and fiscal management to Senior Leadership team
- Prioritized quality service delivery in data drive, actionable environment
- Motivated teams to support person centered services in complex environments
- Partnered with funding sources and regulatory agencies to provide innovative services and progressive models for service delivery
- Led fiscal and operation management of all services
- Provided oversight of clinical and medical services within all Adult and Family Services, with focus on centralized service integrity
- Delivered exceptional customer service by implementing best practices and fostering culture of accountability within organization.
- Collaborated with executive leadership team members on long-term strategic planning that ensured sustainable success for company.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Enhanced person centered services by overseeing implementation of improved service standards across all regional locations.
- Delivered consistent growth in revenue by establishing partnerships with key industry players and stakeholders.
- Championed corporate social responsibility initiatives within region, demonstrating commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement.
- Established culture of continuous improvement.
- Member of solution focused and critical thinking Executive team
State Director of Operations, IDD
MASSACHUSETTS MENTOR
02.2016 - 04.2019
- Provided complete fiscal, operational, medical and clinical oversight of all State Operations for the Adult IDD services, including Day, Employment, Residential, and Family Services
- Responsibility for annual revenue of over $40 million dollars from diverse and complex revenue streams
- Led program development, service expansion, and creative service development opportunities
- Managed complete decision-making and operations responsibilities for the Developmental, Intellectual and BI services within the State of Massachusetts
- Promoted transparency in decision-making processes by engaging stakeholders at all levels of government for their input on key issues affecting their communities.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms that maximized value while minimizing costs to the state.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, creating a supportive work environment where all employees could thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.
- Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback from staff and stakeholders, driving ongoing program development.
- Led teams of professionals in achieving organizational goals through clear communication, collaboration, and guidance.
- Championed innovative approaches to problem-solving that led to increased efficiency and improved service delivery across multiple departments.
Regional Director of Operations, IDD
MASSACHUSETTS MENTOR
04.2008 - 02.2016
- Oversaw all adult operations and business in Massachusetts, including Adult Foster Care, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, and Department of Children and Families
- Served in a Leadership role to direct all operations in business development, growth, and implementation of services
- Provided financial oversight of $20 million annually
- Implemented and oversaw all quality initiatives to enhance all service areas
- Recruited and served as a liaison to develop community relationships
- Educated and presented to funding sources the strength of the Shared Living and Host Home service line and expanded services to new areas
- Implemented the Family First Caregiving Model that supports caregiving at home
- Increased census and business by delivering high quality, creative, and supportive services to home care providers, individuals served, guardians, and all vested parties
- Cultivated over 20 years of relationship-building with collaterals at Department of Developmental Services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health, and Mass Health
- Provided oversight of Medically Fragile Host home model, including hospice and end of life planning
- Implemented Positive Behavioral Supports initiative and the Self-Directed, Client Driven Support system
- Led Accreditation and Licensure review process with CARF, COA, Mass Health
- Served as a mentor to emerging leaders, sharing knowledge and expertise while fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.
- Managed the integration of new acquisitions, ensuring a smooth transition and alignment with the overall strategic vision.
- Championed organizational culture change initiatives that fostered collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
Senior Director, IDD
VINFEN CORPORATION
02.2006 - 04.2008
- Supervised five Program Directors, 15 Program Coordinators and over 100 Staff members
- Completed medical, clinical, financial and administrative oversight of 15 residential programs in Metro Boston Area serving people with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness
- Provided budgetary oversight of five million dollars of contracts from various State Agencies
- Participated in multi-disciplinary team coordinating referral services and intake of new individuals served
- Developed Training Curriculum for current staff members
- Participated in risk reviews, clinical rounds, and state provider meetings
- Facilitated Divisional meetings
- Served as 24 hour on-call supervisor responsible for coordinating and responding to crisis situations
- Led OQE and CARF licensing and accreditation ,with various regulatory state agencies
- Implemented cost-saving measures through effective resource allocation and budget management.
Program Director
VINFEN CORPORATION
01.1999 - 01.2006
- Supervised Supported Living/Community Integration program and oversaw services to over sixty individuals living with mental illness in community apartments
- Secured and maintained subsidized housing units in Metro Boston area
- Served as liaison between landlords, housing authorities and individuals served
- Facilitated weekly meetings with medical, clinical, and case management team to maintain services
- Provided clinical, administrative, financial oversight to Metro Boston area Mental Health/Mental Retardation services
- Supervised 20+ staff members and was responsible for overall coordination of programs
- Presented at National Conferences as a representative from Vinfen Corporation
- Oversaw a fiscal budget of nearly $900,000 annually
- Communicated directly with state agencies and complied with all state regulatory responsibilities
- Coordinated legal, psychiatric, and financial services for individuals served
- Acted as Human Rights Coordinator for Vinfen Corporation
- Mentored, trained, and supported staff members towards their professional goals
- Named Supervisor of the year in 2003
- Provided on-call, pager, and cell phone responsibilities
Case Manager/Team Leader
VINFEN CORPORATION
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Implemented first self-managed team at company
- Provided complete service coordination for individuals served
- Advocated for housing, medical, and clinical services
- Supported individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment services
- Complied with all Survey and Certification regulations
- Compiled service logs and written documentation
- Won national recognition for self-managed team’s workplace development
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor
LEXINGTON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Contributed to the development of the ISP for individuals served
- Advised individuals about issues concerning health, socialization, recreation and work
- Coordinated community activities
- Implemented behavioral plans
- Administered medications and treatments as needed
- Maintained accurate documentation of client progress, facilitating informed decision-making within the treatment team.
- Developed relapse prevention strategies for clients transitioning out of treatment programs, empowering them to maintain long-term sobriety.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans, ensuring continuity of care for clients.
Crisis Counselor
respond, inc.
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Provided support in crisis situations to domestic abuse survivors
- Directed battered persons to the appropriate agencies for support and follow-up
- Worked with families and professionals to develop treatment plans
Education
Master of Social Work -
Boston University School of Social Work
Boston, MA01.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Boston University
Boston, MA01.1993
Skills
- Strategic visionary
- Decision making competence
- Emotional Intelligence
- Executive leadership
- Change Management
- Stakeholder engagement
Awards
- Employee of the year- Vinfen
- Leadership Growth Award- Massachusetts Mentor
- Executive Leader award HMEA- for managing affiliation and merger with Advocates
Timeline
Senior Vice President of Operations-Services
Advocates
01.2024 - Current
Senior Vice President-Adult and Family Services
HMEA
04.2019 - 01.2024
State Director of Operations, IDD
MASSACHUSETTS MENTOR
02.2016 - 04.2019
Regional Director of Operations, IDD
MASSACHUSETTS MENTOR
04.2008 - 02.2016
Senior Director, IDD
VINFEN CORPORATION
02.2006 - 04.2008
Program Director
VINFEN CORPORATION
01.1999 - 01.2006
Case Manager/Team Leader
VINFEN CORPORATION
01.1997 - 01.1999
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor
LEXINGTON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
01.1994 - 01.1997
Crisis Counselor
respond, inc.
01.1993 - 01.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Boston University
Master of Social Work -
Boston University School of Social Work
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