About Behavioral Health Leadership Institute
Behavioral Health Leadership Institute (BHLI) offers people something many healthcare systems do not: the belief that substance use treatment, recovery, health, and dignity remain possible, even when traditional pathways have failed.
For more than two decades, BHLI has worked from a central premise: care should meet people where they are rather than require them to overcome barriers before receiving help. Through compassionate, relationship-centered, evidence-based care, BHLI engages individuals who have historically experienced significant barriers to treatment.
Through mobile services, street outreach, community partnerships, clinic-based addiction treatment, research, workforce development, and public policy leadership, BHLI has become a recognized leader in advancing innovative approaches to treating opioid use disorder. Its work extends beyond service delivery to strengthening systems of care, public policy leadership, and demonstrating how trust, dignity, and flexibility can improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
BHLI works within and across healthcare, behavioral health, criminal justice, public health, and community systems—and, when traditional systems create barriers to care, finds ways to reach people outside them. This work requires strong relationships and coordination across systems that do not always connect easily. BHLI serves people whose health and life circumstances may involve complex needs and significant barriers to care.
Following the retirement of its founder, BHLI is entering its next chapter from a position of strength. The organization has a strong reputation, a committed staff, trusted community relationships, and a distinctive approach to care. The next Executive Director will build on that foundation while working with the Board, staff, and partners to shape BHLI’s future direction and strengthen the organization to support it.
The Opportunity
Behavioral Health Leadership Institute (BHLI) is accepting applications for its next Executive Director.
For more than two decades, BHLI has shown that compassionate, relationship-centered care can transform lives by meeting people where they are and removing barriers to treatment. Now, the organization is looking for a collaborative, mission-driven executive to guide its next chapter.
The next leader will build on BHLI’s low-threshold, harm-reduction, participant-centered approach while bringing the strategic, operational, financial, and relationship-building leadership needed for long-term sustainability and impact.
This is an opportunity to lead a respected Maryland organization advancing low-threshold, harm-reduction, community-based addiction treatment. BHLI seeks an experienced, collaborative executive to guide the organization through a founder transition and into its next chapter, building on its participant-centered approach and strong community relationships.
The role calls for strategic and operational leadership, financial stewardship and resource development, productive Board partnership, and the ability to lead within complex, regulated service environments. A significant in-person presence in Baltimore is expected.
View the full Executive Search Prospectus and application information: [link]
Applications due: September 30, 2026