Santa Clarita-based nonprofit Child & Family Center has named Nikki Buckstead its new chief executive.
The organization, which serves children, adolescents and adults in the Santa Clarita, Antelope and San Fernando valleys, provides prevention, intervention, diagnostic evaluation and behavior therapeutic services. It also offers outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence services.
Buckstead joined Child & Family Center after amassing more than 30 years of experience in social services and 20 years in nonprofit leadership. Her new role was made official on Nov. 14.
She was most recently the executive director of the homeless services organization Family Solutions Collaborative, located in Orange County. Near the end of Buckstead’s tenure, Family Solutions finalized a three-year strategic plan that included a revamped funding model.
Buckstead’s appointment came after an extensive search and recruitment process led by Child & Family Center Board Chair Dr. Marc Winger and a search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting. Envision is a firm with a presence in Los Angeles and a specialization in nonprofit executive search, leadership transitions, organizational strategy and more.
“Our Board of Directors and its search committee worked diligently for over a year to identify someone who possesses the passion for those we serve,” Winger said in a statement. “We are confident that we found someone who will work closely with the board and staff as we continue fulfilling our mission of changing lives, healing relationships, and helping people thrive.”
Winger added in his statement a thank you to the organization’s former chief executive Dr. Joan Aschoff, who worked with the nonprofit for about eight years.
“Child & Family Center is a wonderful mission-driven organization and it has been my great pleasure to have had the opportunity to serve as its CEO for the past eight years,” Aschoff said in a statement. “It was important to take the time to find the right leader with the skills and heart to continue the mission and move the agency forward. We have found that leader in Nikki.”