Trish Thacker brings 25 years of experience in behavioral health services to Guild, begins mid-March
Today marks a new chapter in our journey of empowering people living with mental illness and/or experiencing long-term homelessness. After an extensive and rigorous selection process, Trish Thacker will be stepping into her new role as CEO of Guild on March 18th.
Trish’s proven commitment to Guild’s mission is reflected in her decades-long career working in the behavioral health space in a variety of roles across the public and nonprofit sectors. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our organization, her ability to build a culture of team support while advancing our collective vision will be invaluable.
“Guild’s mission to empower, engage, embrace and elevate people and communities drew me,” Trish said of applying for the CEO role. “I believe in Guild’s commitment to develop and deliver person-centered services within communities. While people may need intensive, center-based interventions in order to stabilize, the reality is that people develop long-term health and wellness at home. I appreciate that Guild’s mission is wise and forward thinking.”
Trish brings a long leadership resume to Guild, one marked by many significant achievements. She currently works for Hennepin County as Senior Department Administrator – Wellbeing, where she works across the Human Services Department to develop systemic strategies that promote education, employment and economic stability for Hennepin County families. Her areas of focus in this role have included child care assistance, youth education, employment support and workforce development, family stabilization services, and family shelter.
Before Hennepin County, Trish was the Executive Director of the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, one of the largest single adult shelters in the five-state area. There, she strategically led the Harbor Light Multi-Service Center, which provides 24/7 emergency housing, emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, and spiritual care to more than 300 adults per night. She also has a master’s degree in social work and is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has been a practicing therapist for more than 25 years.
“Simply stated, mental health is part of who we are,” Trish said. “It’s not separate. If we value people, and we value health, then we must value mental health.”
Trish is committed not only to sustaining our current progress, but also to leading the Guild team into a future where innovation, community and excellence are at the forefront.
“Guild is on a growth trajectory, and that in itself is exciting,” she said. “Guild has invested time, energy and resources into developing a strong reputation for excellent service. That means the team is excellent. Plotting the course forward from this foundation of excellent reputation and excellent team members is very exciting, and I look forward to working with this team to develop and implement Guild’s strategic plan and next steps.”
Throughout the selection process, Trish’s unwavering dedication aligned with our mission, and her commitment to promoting a positive team environment shined brightly. She’s a strong communicator whose commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been a cornerstone of her career, and her approach to leadership is both heartfelt and strategic, prioritizing transparency and relational dynamics.
“The most successful and resilient teams maintain a culture of support, authenticity, and psychological safety,” Trish said. “Implementation requires discussion, disagreement, and problem solving, and the current rate of global change requires this kind of resilient teamwork.”
We welcome Trish to the team and thank the rest of our staff, whose insights were crucial during the CEO selection process. We eagerly look forward to Guild’s bright future, which promises to be even brighter with Trish at the helm.