Des Moines, IA – Orchard Place today announced that Chief Executive Officer Anne Starr will retire, concluding a distinguished tenure dedicated to strengthening mental health services for children and families across Iowa.
Starr has served as CEO since March 2013, guiding Iowa’s premier children’s mental health organization through a period of transformation marked by clinical excellence, financial stability, and expanded community impact.
“Anne’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning Orchard Place as a leading voice in children’s mental health,” said John Danos, President of the Orchard Place Board of Directors. “Her advocacy, vision, and commitment have strengthened our organization and improved outcomes for countless children and families.”
During her tenure, Starr built a stronger and more resilient organization by deepening its financial foundation, enhancing the quality of clinical services, and expanding access to care for children and families across the state. She also reinforced Orchard Place’s role as a trusted community partner and a leading advocate for children’s mental health at both the local and state levels.
Starr’s connection with Orchard Place is longstanding: she began as a therapist in 1989 before returning to lead the organization as CEO in 2013. “It has been an honor to serve the children, families, and dedicated staff of Orchard Place,” Starr said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident the organization is poised for a strong future. This is the right time for me to retire and focus on my family.”
Following her retirement, Starr plans to relocate to Omaha, Nebraska, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. The Orchard Place Board of Directors will oversee the leadership transition and immediately begin the search for the organization’s next CEO.
To ensure continuity across the organization throughout this transition in the interim, Orchard Place will be led by a collaborative team including:
- Stephen Mandler, D.O., Chief Medical & Clinical Officer, responsible for overseeing all Clinical and Medical services.
- Maria Medici, Chief Financial Officer, responsible for all Financial and Administrative operations
- Kari Zimmerman, LISW, Vice President of Team-Based Care, responsible for all Program and Service Delivery, including both residential and community-based services.
For interviews, please contact Lakyn Pando, Communications Director, at 515-868-0194 or lpandoburciaga@orchardplace.org.
About Orchard Place: Founded in 1886, Orchard Place is Iowa’s leading provider of children’s mental health services. With more than 300 staff and an annual budget exceeding $20 million, the organization is accredited by The Joint Commission and certified by the Sanctuary Institute. Each year, Orchard Place provides critical services to nearly 6,000 children through a comprehensive continuum of care that includes residential treatment, outpatient services, and community-based programs.
