CSL Chief People Officer, Merideth Rose, to become President & CEO of Cornerstones of Care

July 7, 2022 | By: Doug Cowan, CSL President & CEO

Sometimes in life, you just meet people who have “it.” You can try to use a lot of adjectives to describe them, but when someone has “it,” you just know. Merideth Rose is one of those people.

I connected with Merideth early on in her tenure at the Independence School District as the head of family and neighborhood services. In 2018, she became a CSL board member, and was quickly on the board’s Executive Committee, serving as Secretary and Vice Chair. When the pandemic hit, she sprang into action, at our community’s asking, to serve as the ESF-6 Mass Care lead. She led a team of people, me included, during the most challenging times of the pandemic. At the same time, she co-chaired the CSL Board of Directors’ Diversity and Inclusion Steering Team (DIST). I realized what a changemaker Merideth was.

In May 2021, I asked her if she’d ever consider coming to work for CSL, and I was thrilled when she said yes. The organization had an open executive position and she became our Chief People Officer. The position was designed to support our people (internal and external) in many ways. In her role, she has spent copious amounts of time listening and connecting to people in and around CSL. She has onboarded dozens of new employees, rebuilt salary schedules, helped CSL navigate leadership transitions, dealt with pandemic burnout, navigated us through the “Great Resignation,” led our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work and crucial conversations, upstarted our Cultural Connections, coordinated our legal and Human Resources work, enhanced employee learning, connection, and growth, jumpstarted our strategic planning efforts, and so much more. She has done everything I had hoped she would do, and more, as a leader at CSL.

Merideth has been recruited for a new leadership role. She will be the President & CEO of Cornerstones of Care, starting July 25. Cornerstones of Care is an organization formed from the merger of Gillis Center, Marillac Center, Spofford, Ozanam, and Healthy Families – all behavioral health organizations. They work with youth and families in 70 counties on both sides of the state line and have 500+ employees, with annual revenues of $60M+. It is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the region, and impacts thousands of Kansas City area families in a major way.

Normally, I’d be sad to make this announcement. But, I’m filled with joy about this incredible opportunity for Merideth. As I said at the beginning, she has “it.” She was born to be a leader, and to change lives. I’m glad that CSL was part of her journey, and she has created a lasting impact on this organization. Above all, I’m most proud to call her a friend. When great things happen for your friends, there’s no room for any feelings other than happiness.

Please join me in wishing her all the best in this new role!