Pioneering Pathways: Growing the Behavioral Health Workforce

In this episode of Wellbeing Wednesdays we explore the behavioral health workforce crisis through a deeply personal and visionary conversation between Chuck Ingoglia, CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and Dr. Joe Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Joe shares his journey from an immigrant background to leading one of the country’s largest nonprofits in substance use and mental health care. A major focus is on workforce development, particularly how Hazelden Betty Ford is pioneering alternative educational pathways, including master’s programs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.

Joe highlights the organization's "ambassadorship culture", their unique graduate school, and their strategic partnerships, including a new collaboration with the National Council to create training pipelines for future clinicians. The conversation ends with a powerful reflection on the definition of recovery—not just sobriety, but thriving through living one's values.