Chelsea Partners Finds New Leader for United Cerebral Palsy in California
January 11, 2019 – Chelsea Partners, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, has placed the new president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (UCPLA). Lori Anderson, chief operating officer and vice president of residential services for Bethesda Lutheran Communities, steps into her new role on Jan. 21.
Andy Knox, the search firm’s managing director, led the assignment.
Ms. Anderson’s predecessor, Ronald S. Cohen, is retiring after leading Woodland Hills, CA-based UCPLA for over 30 years. “Our board did a lot of due diligence in identifying a candidate for the president and CEO, and I am excited about the selection of Lori,” said Mr. Cohen. “My knowledge of her reputation and fine work in the field make her an outstanding successor.”
Ms. Anderson has an extensive background in residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the U.S. In her role with Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Ms. Anderson oversaw the organization’s residential operations throughout the country. Previously, she served as Bethesda’s regional director of California. In this role, she managed referral relationships, developed an innovative, new management structure and provided leadership for Bethesda’s programs.
A Strong Background
“This is a good time for the organization to make this change in leadership,” said Paul Miller, UCPLA’s board chair. “Ron established a strong and diverse organization that has thrived under his tenure. The board is thrilled to have Lori joining the organization and confident that she will leverage her expertise in residential programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to successfully navigate the organization for many years into the future.”
Before joining Bethesda Lutheran Communities in 2013, Ms. Anderson served as vice president of mission services for Goodwill in Springfield, IL. She also spent a number of years in New Mexico with Community Options Inc., as the organization’s state director. In addition, she has served as president and CEO of Unified Health Solutions Inc., in Dayton, OH. Ms. Anderson has a master’s degree in applied behavioral science from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Toledo.
A Seasoned Recruiter
UCPLA, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, operates over 40 program sites throughout five counties in Southern California and has extended its mission to serve all people with developmental disabilities. These programs include adult day activity centers, children’s programs, community living support services, group homes and independent living apartments. UCPLA provides services to over 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families daily.
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Chelsea Partners provides a diverse client base with a range of human capital advisory services across industry sectors, functions and geographies, including executive and board recruiting; management and board assessment; executive coaching; executive outplacement; employment contract development, evaluation and negotiation; succession planning; and human capital advisory consulting.
Mr. Knox founded the search firm in 2015, leveraging over 30 years of experience in the executive recruiting profession, including 24 years with Korn Ferry as a shareholder/partner in both Asia and Southern California. Prior to founding Chelsea Partners, he spent two years with RSR Partners in Los Angeles as a managing director following three years with executive recruitment firm Higdon Partners, where he opened the Los Angeles office. He started his recruiting career with Russell Reynolds Associates.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media