Rockbridge Recovery’s board of directors has named Stephanie RiCharde as the organization’s new executive director. She began her new role on April 14.
She succeeds Jeri Schaff, board chairman, who had been serving as the interim director.
RiCharde has been the program manager at Rockbridge Area Transportation System since July 2023, where she has overseen the Rockbridge CAN community dinner program, as well as helped launch the program as an independent nonprofit.
Prior to her time at Rockbridge CAN, RiCharde, who has a doctorate in international psychology, taught psychology courses at several local and regional colleges, in both adjunct and visiting professor positions, and worked as mental health and substance use counselor in community settings. While involved with CAN, RiCharde received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce.
RiCharde is a founding member of the Rockbridge-Bath Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), a partnership that aims to improve responses to mental health crises, and she completed her dissertation research on the stigmatizing beliefs associated with mental health conditions held by first responders.
“I am eager to step into this leadership role,” said RiCharde. “I look forward to working in an organization that aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for substance use.”
“On behalf of the board of directors, we are thrilled that Stephanie RiCharde has joined as executive director,” said Schaff. “Her extensive experience in the mental health field, nonprofit leadership knowledge, and passion for the mission of our organization will be critical in helping us identify and continue to fill service gaps in our community.”
