On April 16, BHN staff, leadership, and supporters came together for a meaningful celebration that marked two important milestones: reaching the $5 million fundraising goal for the Katherine B. Wilson Staff Excellence Fund—and finally gathering in person to celebrate Kathy Wilson’s retirement, which took place during the pandemic.

We are grateful to the generous donors who recognize the value of investing in our staff and helped us reach our $5 million fundraising goal. Special thanks to PeoplesBank, our bachelor’s level sponsor, for their leadership and generous support.

The Staff Excellence Fund was established in honor of Kathy Wilson, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Behavioral Health Network in 1992. Under Kathy’s leadership as BHN’s founding CEO, the organization grew from a $1 million enterprise into one of the region’s leading behavioral health providers, now serving more than 40,000 individuals annually and employing over 2,400 people across Massachusetts.

Throughout her career, Kathy championed community-based care, behavioral health integration, and the belief that organizations are strongest when they invest in their people. The Staff Excellence Fund reflects that legacy by supporting BHN employees as they pursue education, training, and professional growth. This endowed fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Western MA, with annual investment income distributed to staff via grant application. 

The celebration gave us time to reflect on how far we have come, recognize fund recipients, and honor the lasting impact of Kathy’s leadership. Thank you to our donors, our community, and our staff for making this milestone—and this long‑overdue celebration—possible. Kathy’s legacy lives on through every staff member supported by the Staff Excellence Fund and through the work we do together every day!