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Richie Ploesch
President & CEO, Vista Hill Foundation · San Diego, CA
Accomplished behavioral health and nonprofit leader Richie Ploesch has been selected as President & Chief Executive Officer of Vista Hill Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to advancing mental health, developmental services, and community-based care throughout the region. Ploesch brings more than 15 years of executive leadership experience across multi-site behavioral health, nonprofit, and education systems, with a strong focus on expanding access to care and building scalable, mission-driven infrastructure.
Ploesch joins Vista Hill Foundation from Learn Behavioral, a national behavioral health organization, where he most recently served as Assistant Vice President of Business Development. In this role, he held P&L accountability for a $28 million operating portfolio and partnered with executive leadership to drive enterprise growth strategies across a $350 million organization. During his tenure, he led nationwide expansion efforts, launching more than 20 clinical centers annually and overseeing operations across 130+ locations. He also modernized intake and referral systems, increasing client onboarding capacity while reducing access time and improving overall service delivery.
Earlier in his career, Ploesch served as Co-Founder and Program Director of Unscripted Learning, a nonprofit organization that delivers innovative programming for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Under his leadership, the organization expanded to more than 15 school sites, impacting hundreds of students weekly and strengthening partnerships with educators and clinicians. He also held leadership roles in clinical and business operations at Autism Spectrum Therapies, where he oversaw large-scale service delivery, staff development, and program quality for a growing behavioral health organization.
Ploesch began his career in education, serving as a special education teacher and later as a behavior specialist within a large public school district, where he focused on improving outcomes for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs. Across each stage of his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to data-informed decision-making, workforce development, and advancing equitable access to care for underserved populations.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ploesch is recognized for his collaborative leadership style and ability to align people, systems, and strategy to create lasting community impact. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to strengthening behavioral health systems and ensuring individuals and families receive high-quality, accessible care.
Vista Hill Foundation is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with mental health, developmental, and substance use needs. Through a comprehensive network of programs and partnerships, the organization provides essential services that promote wellness, independence, and resilience across San Diego County.