Tackling The Workforce Crisis With A Scalable Solution: The Devereux ASCEND Case Study

This;OPEN MINDS;Executive Roundtable was delivered on October 2, 2025, by;Devereux Senior Vice President of People Operations Mike Ernst, SHRM-SCP, and Vice President of Talent and Organizational Development Kathy Marks, SPHR. They shared how the non-profit behavioral health care organization is addressing the “Forever Labor Shortage” through ASCEND, a $16+ million Career Accelerator program launched in 2023.

ASCEND provides Devereux’s nearly 6,500 employees with multi-track career pathways, tuition and education support, personalized coaching, and mentoring. Early results show the program is boosting engagement and retention, and saving the organization millions . . .