Catherine Simonson, chief client services officer at Howard Center, has announced she will retire at the end of 2022 after 27 years with the organization. Simonson joined the center in 1994 and spent more than 22 years as a social worker leading and expanding child and family programming.
During her tenure as chief client services officer, Simonson has been responsible for the oversight and management of all Howard Center client services, including more than 50 clinical programs and a range of other lifesaving supports for mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities that support the 19,000 people the agency helps each year. She most recently led an initiative to embed cultural liaisons into the agency’s access and intake process to ensure readily available, accessible care for our refugee and immigrant communities.
Bob Bick, chief executive officer of Howard Center, said it is not possible to overstate Simonson's contributions to the organization, which serves children, adults, families and communities in Chittenden County.
"Her positive influence and commitment to our clients is present in every program, policy and practice," Back said, "and her leadership and counsel will be sorely missed."