- Parenting
- Cycling
- Music
- Farming
- Cooking
- Writing
- Mindfulness
Wade Puryear
Chesterfield,Virginia
Summary
Dynamic and innovative leader in the mental health sector, dedicated to enhancing access to high-quality, coordinated treatment for individuals with neurodivergent minds. Proven track record in elevating service outcomes, expanding client reach, and driving revenue growth while consistently improving customer and stakeholder satisfaction. Committed to fostering a supportive environment that enhances staff retention and promotes overall organizational excellence. Passionate about leveraging creative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by diverse populations in mental health care.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder/Therapist/Consultant
Puryear Wellness Services
01.2019 - Current
- Launched growing virtual and in-person mental health practice actively serving more than 200 clients
- Developed and supervised a small team of clinical support staff
- Collaborated alongside local pediatricians, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists to establish unified services for clients with neurodivergent minds
- Advised behavioral and mental health care organizations and schools on strategic planning and program development resulting in increased client success rates, revenue and staff retention
Vice President of Education
United Methodist Family Services/Charterhouse Schools
08.2014 - 04.2021
- Led and scaled educational and treatment programs across two-day school campuses, a 40-bed residential treatment center, and various foster care and community-based initiatives.
- Engaged internal and external stakeholders to create tailored residential treatment and educational programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Grew program to full capacity, generating waitlists for prospective students.
- Guided 12-person leadership team responsible for supervision of approximately 70 teachers, therapists, behavioral aides, and support staff across 2 campuses.
- Transformed college support program for young adults with autism spectrum disorder, resulting in threefold growth in size and capacity.
- Developed outcome measures and metrics to propel strategic initiatives, resulting in substantial increases in treatment progress graduation rates and post-secondary education and employment
- Led 1:1 sessions and team meetings prioritizing professional growth, fostering positive organizational culture, and aligning with strategic objectives, contributing to over 25% increase in staff retention and improvements in NPS measures.
Associate Director of Programs – Elk Hill
Elk Hill, Inc.
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Oversaw operation of 4 therapeutic day schools and a 30-bed residential treatment facility catering to adolescent males.
- Supervised residential director, clinical director, two case managers, and four school principals. Facilitated teamwork across leadership positions to improve operational outcomes.
- Facilitated Medicaid funding integration for residential treatment center
- Developed staff training on and specialized programming for clients with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Director of Education – Elk Hill
Elk Hill, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Supervised group of 5 educational and clinical leaders across 3 campuses, including a residential treatment center for adolescent males.
- Successfully led a team of internal and external stakeholders to develop a 5 year startegic plan for educational program improvement, mission alignment, and social impact. Achieved all goals of the initial strategic plan within 3 years.
- Designed outcome measures and metrics across multiple programs
- Oversaw the design and opening of a 4th satellite campus and elementary school program
Director – Elk Hill - Varina School
Elk Hill, Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Orchestrated re-design and management of therapeutic educational program for alternative and special education students.
- Managed team of 10 teachers and support staff
- Executed strategic initiatives and program enhancements resulting in marked declines in client hospitalizations, detentions, and serious behavior incidents.
- Maximized census capacity, resulting in two-fold revenue increase
Head of School– Brook Road Academy
St. Joseph’s Villa
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Designed and implemented an innovative educational program tailored for students with neurodivergent minds
- Managed 7 educators and support personnel
- Established standard operating procedures alongside quality assurance measures.
- Attained 10x expansion in census and revenue
- Realized 100% college acceptance rate of students
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate - Professional Counseling
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAMaster of Science - Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAPost-Graduate Certificate - Educational Leadership And Management
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAMaster of Science - Special Education
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VABachelor of Arts - English Literature
East Carolina University
Greenville, NCSkills
- Project Management
- Operations management
- Client engagement
- Team leadership
- Partnership building
- Process improvements
- Industry expertise
- Strategic thinking
- Performance assessments
- Policies and procedures development
- Entrepreneurial and innovative
- Staff management
Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor-Virginia Department of Health
- ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider -Evergreen Certifications
- Collaborative Problem Solving Practitioner - Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital
- Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)- The National Board for Certified CounselorsVirginia Board of Counseling: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Virginia Postgraduate Professional Teaching License – Endorsements: Administration and Supervision English, Emotional Disturbances K-12; Specific Learning Disabilities K-12
Adjunct Teaching Experience
- Virginia Commonwealth University: Supervised Clinical Practice in Rehab and Mental Health; Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling – Fall 2019
- Virginia Commonwealth University: Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling; Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling – Spring 2019
- George Mason University: Characteristics of Students with Emotional Disturbances; Richmond Regional Cohort Graduate Program in Special Education– Spring 2007
Accomplishments
- Chairperson - Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities Accreditation Committee(2016-2021)
- Volunteer of the Year - Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities
- Walter Sullivan Leadership Award for Excellence in Management - St. Joseph's Villa