Lori Parrish hired as next Executive Director of Samaritan
Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs is pleased to announce the hiring of Lori Parrish of Crystal Lake as the next Executive Director for the nonprofit agency. Parrish follows the Rev. Jeanne Hanson, who will be retiring after serving as Executive Director for the past 10 years, and a founding board member since 2007.
Ms. Parrish is well-known throughout McHenry County as a County Board Member, Commissioner for Crystal Lake Police and Fire, member of the Crystal Lake and McHenry Area Chambers of Commerce, and an alumna of Leadership Greater McHenry County. Parrish also owns Parrish Coaching & Consulting, which helps people focus on individual and team growth and development.
“We are so pleased that Lori will be taking the helm at Samaritan,” said Jeanne Hanson, outgoing Executive Director.”She knows the communities we serve and is committed to building up the mental health care component through direct service, collaboration, and community education. Lori brings so many gifts and talents to the job, including her passion for helping people, which is essential for running a nonprofit.”
Prior to starting her own coaching enterprise, Parrish was a school administrator at Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 and worked for a decade in crisis intervention and behavioral health before getting into education.
Lori Parrish shared, “I'd like to congratulate Jeanne on her retirement and wish her all the best on her journey. I am so excited for the opportunity to lead Samaritan and appreciate the Board's confidence in me and the staff's enthusiasm for the future. I look forward to working with the great team of counselors at Samaritan. Mental health and wellness are more important than ever given all the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. I know the staff at Samaritan are dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate those challenges with support and success, I'm proud to be able to be a part of that work.”
Hanson and Parrish will work closely to establish a smooth transition before the end of Samaritan's fiscal year and Hanson's retirement on June 30. Parrish will work closely with the Clinical Director, Dr. Melissa Katz, in overseeing Samaritan's 19 staff members.
Samaritan Counseling Center is a nonprofit providing hope, help, and healing through professional counseling and psychiatry to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families throughout the Northwest Suburbs. Their vision is to improve mental and emotional wellbeing by providing excellent, caring counseling and psychiatry, building resiliency skills, integrating mindfulness and/or spirituality and offering mental health education throughout the communities served. They have locations in Algonquin, Barrington, Crystal Lake and McHenry.