The Board of Trustees of The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ) proudly announces the retirement of CEO Donna Pressma, effective December 31, 2024. Following Donna’s 38-year tenure, Julie Dees, MBA, LPC, will take over as CEO on January 6, 2025.
Julie Dees currently serves as the CEO of Family Service Association of Bucks County, where she oversees 30 programs that serve 40,000 participants in community-based, outpatient, and residential settings for families and children. During her tenure, Julie has championed innovative solutions to address behavioral health, integrated care, family well-being, and systemic challenges. Her passion for mission-driven work aligns seamlessly with CHSofNJ’s focus on empowering families and children to thrive.
Julie shared, “I chose CHSofNJ because its mission deeply resonates with my personal and professional values. Both of my nieces are adopted, which gives me a profound connection to the transformative work CHSofNJ does every day. I am inspired by this organization’s proactive approach to tackling societal challenges—intervening early in a child’s life to set them on a path to success. This vision of addressing intractable problems before they take root is one I am excited to pursue.”
Micah Parker, CHSofNJ Board Chair, praised Donna Pressma’s visionary leadership over the past 38 years, transforming the agency into a beacon of hope and support for countless families. “Donna’s work to expand CHSofNJ will never be forgotten,” Parker stated. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our 350 employees, we look forward to working with Julie and know she will lead us into a bright and sustainable future for the families and individuals we serve.”
Julie Dees added, “I am honored to join CHSofNJ and look forward to building on Donna’s incredible legacy. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals in our community.”
For more information, visit https://chsofnj.org/whats-new/
