Alexis Gadsden, LMSW, LMHC

Alexis Gadsden has more than 40 years of experience with nonprofit, community-based service providers in New York. Her expertise in the substance abuse treatment and behavioral health fields has made her an integral member of the Outreach executive team since she joined the organization in 1997 as Vice President of Special Projects.

She was then promoted to the position of Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer where Ms. Gadsden worked across departments to ensure all programs are compliant with government regulations and are exceeding Outreach’s internal quality standards. She was again promoted to Chief Diversity Officer, where she now oversees the agency’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts ensuring they are in compliance with the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Standards and aligned with Outreach’s principles and values. Additionally, as a

CASAC-certified trainer for Outreach Training Institute, Ms. Gadsden teaches the Essential Elements of Program Management course.

Ms. Gadsden was personally recruited by Outreach’s former and founding President and CEO Kathy Riddle to join the agency. Previously, Ms. Gadsden had spent 20 years at the Educational Alliance in lower Manhattan where she worked in numerous areas of the organization. As the Assistant Executive Director, she managed $10M+ in funding for the Behavioral Health Unit. While there, she also gained experience overseeing the agency’s drug and alcohol treatment services, mental health community residences, adolescent homeless services, group homes and transitional living programs.

A social worker and mental health counselor, Ms. Gadsden has served on many professional committees, advisory boards and advocacy groups. Currently, she is on the Board of Directors for the Legal Action Center and the Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Providers of New York State. An active spokesperson for the field, Ms. Gadsden has chaired and presented at numerous conferences and participated on several national and local conference committees focused on the needs of special populations.

Ms. Gadsden holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and has completed the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Management Training Program.

“It’s an honor and pleasure to work in an environment where there is true compassion and commitment to providing quality care to the most vulnerable people in our communities.”