Stacey Cook, CEO of SalusCare since 2016, was named among the top 30 nonprofit executives in Southwest Florida by The Community Foundation. Every year, The Community Foundation honors and celebrates the top 30 nonprofit executives in Southwest Florida who have made an impact in the previous year. The influential and inspiring leaders are some of the region’s most effective decision-makers and power influencers.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the influence that Stacey has had on the organization as it serves the community,” said Chairman of the Board Marshall Bower. “Her role as a strong leader will be critical as SalusCare navigates critical impacts from Hurricane Ian, including closure of the Crisis Stabilization Unit and five of our locations due to damage from the storm. She is a passionate, driven nonprofit leader, who takes to heart the significant role of SalusCare to the whole community.”
Cook served as interim president/CEO at SalusCare since October 2015, before being named president and CEO in May 2016. Cook graduated from the Lee County public schools. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2001 and was licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in 2003. Prior to joining SalusCare, she served in various leadership roles at David Lawrence Center through Lee Mental Health.
The top nonprofit executive honor was established by the South Florida CEO Network, an initiative of The Community Foundation, and the Nonprofit Education Grantmaking Fund, as part of a larger vision of nonprofit leader appreciation, recognition, and cultivating a culture of regional generosity.
Honorees are selected from a group of roughly 200 top executives. Surveys are sent to business and community leaders to determine who would make this year’s list.
ABOUT SALUSCARE
SalusCare is a Fort Myers-based, not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) to ultimately improve care for children and adults by utilizing one seamless system of care. “Salus” means health, prosperity and safety, reflecting the focus of the organization. SalusCare has six locations with more than 350 employees throughout Southwest Florida, bringing hope and recovery to nearly 16,000 adults and children each year. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. For information, visit saluscareflorida.org or call 239-275-3222.
