"Leading Change: A Conversation with Dawn Belamarich on Transformational Leadership and Social Impact"

In this episode of the Stories to Create Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Dawn Belamarich, a multifaceted professional with an extensive background in education and career achievements. Dawn has earned a doctorate in business administration and leadership, along with dual master's degrees in sociology/criminology and mental health counseling. Originally from New Jersey, she's currently based in Cape Coral.

Belamarich's 15-year career has made her a key figure in the social services and behavioral health fields. Her leadership skills have shone through in numerous roles across both profit-driven and nonprofit entities. Her career highlights include serving as the senior vice president of clinical and operational excellence, as well as holding CEO and executive director positions at Recovery Centers of America.

Dawn is not only an experienced leader but also a licensed mental health counselor and a master’s clinical addiction professional in Florida. In New Jersey, she's recognized as a licensed professional and clinical alcohol and drug counselor, with special certifications in gambling addiction and trauma treatment.

She also dedicates her time as a board member for the ARCHway Institute, focusing on providing resources and support for those impacted by addiction. In her conversation with Cornell Bunting, Dawn delves into her early life in New Jersey, her role as the eldest of four siblings, and her experiences as a big sister. She shares her journey as a soccer player, which led to a full scholarship for college.

Dawn discusses the profound lessons she learned from a lifelong prisoner, her move to Florida to join the Lee Health System, and her recent role, taking over from Sarah Owen as CEO at the Collaboratory on September 5. She emphasizes her aim to transform the organization's approach to philanthropy, striving to solve a wide range of social issues in Southwest Florida within 18 years, including homelessness, poverty, mental health, racism, illiteracy, and more. Listen to her insights on leadership, her team-oriented culture, and her commitment to using data-driven strategies to build sustainable community systems and drive the Collaboratory's mission forward.