Her Story
About Adrienne
Adrienne Endicott Belarde is a behavioral health leader with expertise in operations, compliance, performance improvement, and family preservation programs within community mental health. She is dedicated to building systems that foster accountability, improve organizational efficiency, and create sustainable growth for both employees and the organizations they serve. Currently serving as Director of Prevention and Family Preservation at Directions for Living, she oversees programs designed to strengthen families and support child welfare initiatives while focusing on leadership development, staff retention, and operational excellence.
Adrienne's professional journey is distinguished by her diverse background in military service, higher education, and behavioral health. Before transitioning into social services, she served for more than four years as an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army, where she developed exceptional leadership, operational planning, and problem-solving skills under high-pressure conditions. Following her military service, she worked as an Academic Advisor at Purdue University before pursuing a career in behavioral health, where she quickly advanced into supervisory and executive leadership roles. Her experience managing multidisciplinary teams and implementing performance improvement initiatives has enabled organizations to strengthen compliance, improve workplace culture, and better serve vulnerable families.
A first-generation college graduate, Adrienne's educational path reflects resilience and determination. After beginning her studies in pre-med, she completed her associate's and bachelor's degrees through the University of Maryland Global Campus while living overseas as a military spouse. Inspired by the growing need for accessible mental health services she observed during her military career, she earned a Master of Science in Human Services Counseling (MS) from Liberty University and is pursuing a Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL). Guided by the values of honesty, integrity, and servant leadership, Adrienne is passionate about helping organizations address the root causes of employee turnover and burnout while cultivating strong leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and lasting organizational success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Adrienne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the resilience and determination my parents instilled in me. Growing up in poverty and becoming the first person in my family to graduate from college taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. My parents constantly encouraged me to aim higher, never let my circumstances define me, and never allow anyone to tell me I couldn't achieve my goals. Their support and belief in my potential continue to inspire me every day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my own journey. I was reminded that while people may appear to have everything figured out, looks can be deceiving. Instead of worrying about what others are doing or listening to advice from those who aren't where I aspire to be, I've learned to stay focused on my own goals and trust my path.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the mental and behavioral health field is to establish healthy boundaries from the start. We often enter this profession with a deep desire to help others, but it's essential to protect your own well-being so you can continue making a meaningful impact. Focus on providing compassionate, high-quality care, and trust that the performance metrics and outcomes will follow. Don't sacrifice your health or passion by chasing numbers alone.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the mental and behavioral health field is retaining talented staff. High turnover is often driven by limited funding, inadequate compensation, and burnout. I believe organizations need to prioritize flexibility and employee well-being alongside performance. In my experience, offering support, understanding, and flexibility—such as allowing staff to use PTO when they need it—has led to stronger retention and a healthier, more committed team.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are honesty and integrity. I believe that when people are open and truthful, almost any challenge can be resolved. I've always encouraged my teams to communicate honestly, especially when they need help or when something goes wrong. We can solve problems together, but it starts with being upfront and trusting one another.
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