USA Today on O’Brien’s Leadership

USA Today, writing about “rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation have shifted attention toward prevention and early support rather than crisis response alone,” has noted the work of Kathleen O’Brien, PhD, CEO of Walden Wise, as a leader in the new effort.

In USA Today, Matthew Kayser writes of the effort of Walden Wise, a nonprofit free online resource created by Dr. O’Brien, that is “designed to equip parents, educators, and child-serving adults with science-backed tools that nurture healthy brains and meaningful connections.”

Nothing her four decades of experience, the article quotes Dr. O’Brien about how Walden Wise operates. “Currently, we’ve uploaded a lot of content, and now we’re working on a monthly newsletter and other projects. We’re also taking it on the road, with talks at various conferences and medical events.”

Her goal remains straightforward, yet urgent, Kayser writes, “We really just want people to know this is a fabulous resource for them, and it’s free.”

Dr. O’Brien was recently selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, which notes her 40 years of experience including as chief executive officer of Walden Sierra Behavioral Health from 1975 to 2019. In selecting Dr. O’Brien, Marquis Who’s Who said her expertise in substance use disorder as instrumental in shaping Walden Wise’s strategic direction and expanding its impact. Under Dr. O’Brien’s leadership, Walden Wise has continued to provide comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges.

Dr. O’Brien has played a pivotal role in developing Maryland only comprehensive publicly funded program offering various levels of care. Her efforts have significantly influenced policy changes through her involvement with the Governor’s Council, where she has been a key advocate for improving services for those affected by domestic violence and substance use disorders.

Marquis also cites her active membership in the Child Welfare League of America and numerous awards, including the National Sunshine Peace Award from The Sunshine Lady Foundation in 2008, which honors exceptional contributions in addressing domestic violence. Additionally, she received the Social Impact Award from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. in 2010 and the Doing More with Less Award from the state of Maryland comptroller in 2012.

Dr. O’Brien attributes much of her success to the support of her husband and their six children. She also credits her mentors and clients, who have shared their positive experiences and helped spread awareness about her work.

Passionate about shifting perceptions of behavioral health into the broader health care landscape, Dr. O’Brien remains steadfast about focusing on it as brain health rather than just behavioral health. Additionally, she is keen to share insight about Walden Wise and address the needs of children through her upcoming book centered around her experiences with her children.

Since 1899, when A.N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion, and entertainment. Who’s Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians, and executive search firms around the world.

Children live in worlds created by adults. Yet, the very information that could often help us improve the experience of childhood is far removed from our daily lives. The solutions that exist remain out of our reach.

Walden Wise is a new community dedicated to bringing caring adults closer to each other and what works on behalf of children. We refer to our community members as CoCreators – caring adults who want to improve the lives of children by attending to their emotional health.

Please join us as we share valuable resources, connections and experiences to help you nurture the emotional health of the kids in your life. Visit WaldenWise.org, join them on Facebook and Linked-In, follow them on Instagram. Visit their Leader Member page.