Veteran Behavioral Health Advocate Named Executive Director
For Immediate Release
August 21, 2023
Veteran Behavioral Health Advocate Named Executive Director of the
OneOhio Recovery Foundation
COLUMBUS, OH – Alisha Nelson, a longtime leader in Ohio’s behavioral health community, has been appointed executive director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization charged with distributing nearly $1 billion to support addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Nelson has a proven track record of working to fight addiction and specifically to end the opioid epidemic in Ohio, said Foundation Board Chair Larry Kidd.
“We believe Alisha Nelson is the person who can take the Foundation to the next level as we prepare for the crux of our mission – working with the 19 regions and Ohio’s prevention, treatment and recovery community to distribute settlements funds and save lives,” Kidd said.
Nelson most recently served for nearly two years in the private sector as Director of Behavioral Health Strategy for one of Ohio’s Medicaid managed care organizations, and previously worked on addiction issues in the administration of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit entity created at the direction of Ohio’s state and local leaders to distribute 55 percent of the funds the state will receive from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in propagating the national opioid epidemic.
Formed in 2021, the Foundation is governed by a 29-member board which includes 19 members selected by regional groups that partner with the Foundation in identifying local organizations to receive funds. Through its mission, the Foundation will work with these local interests to support their addiction prevention, treatment and recovery efforts and invest funds to support these efforts for Ohioans into the future.
At its July meeting, the Foundation’s Board of Directors forwarded three finalists to Governor Mike DeWine for his consideration. The extensive national search that resulted in Governor DeWine’s appointment of Nelson was conducted by the Board with input from executive search firm Kittleman & Associates.
Nelson, an Ohio State University graduate who holds an MBA from Ohio Dominican University, held several leadership positions in the DeWine Administration, including Director of Substance Use Policy Initiatives and Director of RecoveryOhio. In the latter role, she oversaw the development and implementation of mental health and addiction programming for 17 state agencies in such crucial areas as law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Nelson also served for several years in a variety of positions at the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County.
Nelson is expected to begin her new role with the Foundation on September 18.
