SALEM, Va. (July 17, 2025) – HopeTree Family Services, a leader in mental and behavioral health services, has named Stephanie Lewis as Director of the Developmental Disabilities Ministry (DDM). In this role, Lewis will oversee strategic planning, program implementation, and daily operations across all DDM programs statewide. Her leadership will help ensure a person-centered, community-integrated approach that upholds the highest standards of compliance, quality assurance, staff development, and growth.
Lewis brings more than 12 years of behavioral healthcare and operations leadership experience to HopeTree. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations for Dream Builders ABA, where she led service delivery across multiple regions. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), including Region Manager and Operations Manager. In 2022, Lewis was honored with the Founders Award at CARD for outstanding leadership.
“I’ve always had a heart for the adult population and a deep respect for person-centered work,” said Lewis. “Joining HopeTree felt like a natural alignment of values. I’m excited to build upon the strong foundation of the DDM program and champion a culture that uplifts the people we support, their families, and the staff who make this work possible.”
The Developmental Disabilities Ministry is a residential care program designed to support adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The mission is to provide a safe and enriching home environment while fostering independence, personal growth, and a sense of belonging. The program includes 17 group homes while also providing sponsored residential and community engagement services throughout Virginia.
HopeTree’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Randi Paxton shared her enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the leadership team. Her combination of operational excellence, behavioral health expertise, and deep compassion for the people we serve makes her an ideal leader for our DDM program.”
Lewis holds a proven record of fostering inclusive, outcomes-driven environments that empower individuals and teams alike. She is passionate about expanding community-based support and ensuring every person with a developmental disability is treated with dignity, respect, and care.
