Press Release: New CEO brings ‘passion and commitment’ to Pathways

04-24-2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New CEO brings ‘passion and commitment’ to Pathways

Pathways Youth & Family Services, a non-profit organization providing a wide array of social-services programs to communities across Texas, has named Tina Amberboy as its new CEO.

“Tina is an excellent choice,” said Pathways’ Chairman of the Board Dr. Michael Borchers. “The Texas child-welfare system is constantly evolving, and we want to be seen as a leader of change. Tina has extensive knowledge of child- welfare policy as well as the vision, passion and commitment to help Pathways achieve this goal.”

Amberboy has served as executive director of the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission since its inception in 2007. In that role, she was charged with improving child-welfare outcomes for children and families through judicial-system reform and leadership. Prior to working for the Supreme Court, Amberboy practiced as an attorney representing children and parents in the child-welfare system.

A national search for Pathways’ top executive was launched following the death of its founder and president Robert “Dan” Johnson, in September 2019.

“I have the proverbial big shoes to fill,” said Amberboy, mother of two college-age children. “Dan worked tirelessly for children and families in Texas. He never shied away from difficult cases and issues and was admired for that. I have always been interested in the multiple systemic aspects of child welfare, and I’m excited about bringing what I’ve learned throughout many years working in the legal system to the provider sector, recognizing that I still have much to learn.”

Founded in 1992 to provide a home for teenage boys who could not remain with their families, Pathways today offers foster care and adoption services to hundreds of children across the state, helping on average 150 children find forever homes each year.

Pathways also offers general residential and residential treatment services to children and youth with severe behavioral and emotional challenges as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pathways’ HomeSAFE Family Services program in El Paso is a first-of-its-kind operation offering evidence-based family preservation services. A full array of in-home as well as in-office behavioral health services is offered to children and families through Pathways’ Mosaic and Turning Point programs.

“Pathways operates all over Texas as one of the top providers in the state, with big footprints in all the major cities,” said Judge John Specia Jr., founder of the Bexar County Children’s Court and former commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. “The organization needed a leader who can navigate the changes on the horizon in the child-welfare system in Texas. I know Tina really well, and she brings extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge of the system to Pathways.”

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and of Baylor Law School, Amberboy began her career representing children and parents in the Travis County courts.

“What could be more important than ensuring our children are given the best chance in life?” she said. “That’s been my goal throughout my career, and I am thrilled to be selected as the next CEO of Pathways. It’s important for me to work for an organization that serves children and families in a meaningful, impactful way.

Pathways is greatly admired, and I hope to carry on the legacy, maintaining its role as an innovative provider of child, youth and family services.”

CONTACT:
Tammy Walser
Pathways Youth & Family Services, Inc. (210) 273-0770
twalser@pathway.org