Millennium Magazine_6th Ed

322 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine B rought up in a home with adopted children and those children who needed a temporary place to live, Dr. Laura D. Heintz looks at her current profession in youth services as a calling. Since 2012, she has served as a legacy leader and trainer of the Building Bridges Initiative and is chief executive officer of Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, formerly known as Stanford Youth Solutions. Notably, in 2019 she was honored with the Women Who Mean Business Award from the Sacramento Business Journal. Prior to her current roles, Dr. Heintz was regional director of the Northern California Victor Treatment Center from 2010 to 2012 and executive director of the capital region for EMQ FamiliesFirst, now Uplift Family Services, from 2009 to 2010. She was executive director of the capital region for FamiliesFirst, Inc., in 2008 and executive director of residential services from 2005 to 2008. She commenced her leadership career with the Yolo Crisis Nursey in 2000 as programmanager and founder. Prior to leadership, she provided social work and family support services. Dr. Heintz received a BA in human development and psychology from the University of the Pacific in 1991, MA in holistic studies from John F. Kennedy University in 1993 and PsyD from the Professional School of Psychology in 2003. She was a contributor to Stanford University’s textbook “Assessing and Treating Youth Exposed to Traumatic Stress” in 2019. She attributes her success to the mentors she has had throughout her life, including Ann Cannon and John Reid. She also thanks her parents for teaching her an outstanding work ethic. Dr. Heintz is president of the California Alliance for Children and Families and past president of the Association of Mental Health Contractors. She is also a member of the Rotary of Sacramento and Delta Delta Delta Sorority, as well as a board member for California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth. In five years’ time, she plans to expand her work with younger people in broader geographic areas. Right now, she is focused on foundational infrastructure work, as there are numerous children in need of support and permanency. LAURA D. HEINTZ, PSYD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Stanford Sierra Youth & Families Sacramento, CA SOCIAL SERVICES AND NONPROFIT