Seven Hills isn’t just the largest human services agency in Central Massachusetts; it operates 235 sites across the state as well as Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and even in other parts of the world through its Global Outreach affiliate.
Tying together the varied programs for adults and children with complex needs is Kathleen Jordan, who was promoted in 2023 to lead the nonprofit she joined in 2003.
Jordan oversees a range of complex initiatives at Seven Hills and its 15 affiliate companies, including quality assurance and program improvement, risk management, Medicaid initiatives, research, and regulatory oversight. With a $450-million operating budget, the foundation has 3,789 employees serving 60,000 children and adults. Jordan is a sought-after speaker and serves as adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University, where she earned her doctorate.
As the biggest player in the Central Mass. human services industry, Seven Hills still will partner with smaller organizations to deliver services, such as working with Worcester nonprofit shelter Meryl’s Safe Haven to provide support for migrant families. Seven Hills has teamed with Worcester behavioral health nonprofit Open Sky Community Services to attract and train employees in the human services field.
Jordan got her first taste of nonprofit operations when she worked for the West Virginia University Foundation while still an undergrad.
The job isn’t without its challenges. A particularly difficult moment came when Jordan had to close an important children’s program that was losing money, but she pivoted, opening a new program generating better reimbursement rates.
“Leaders can’t be afraid to make these kinds of calls,” Jordan said.
