Commission for Behavioral Health Names New Executive Director

This week, the Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) announced the appointment of Brenda Grealish as its new executive director. Grealish will replace current Interim Executive Director Will Lightborne, who took on the temporary position last November.

Grealish has more than 25 years of service in California state government and currently serves as the Executive Officer for the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health. Her previous leadership roles include Chief of the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Division and Acting Deputy Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services at the California Department of Health Care Services. Grealish also held leadership positions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she was appointed Deputy Director in 2012.

As executive director, Grealish will lead the launch of the Commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund. That new grant program established under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) will promote development of innovative behavioral health programs and practices that focus support where it is needed most: underserved, low-income, and historically marginalized communities.

Grealish will serve a newly expanded Commission, which grew from 16 to 27 seats under the BHSA. She’ll officially begin her new role on May 19, 2025.