Her Story
About Lekeisha
Lekeisha Dawkins, LCSW-R, CASAC, SAP, is a mission-driven healthcare executive, behavioral health leader, clinician, educator, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience in clinical operations, substance use treatment, inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare, healthcare administration, and higher education. She currently serves as Vice President of Clinical Services and Operations at StartCare, where she provides strategic leadership across clinical programs and operations. Throughout her career, she has led multidisciplinary teams, overseen complex behavioral health services, strengthened regulatory compliance and audit readiness, and advanced initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes and organizational performance, particularly within underserved communities.
In addition to her executive leadership, Lekeisha is an experienced educator and mentor who serves as an adjunct professor at New York University and Mercy University. She is passionate about workforce development, professional education, and helping emerging professionals build the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in healthcare. Her commitment to advancing the field was recently recognized through the 2026 Healthcare Leaders of New York Achievement Award of Distinction Scholarship, which supports her continued pursuit of an Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration. She is also the founder of Journey to Pathways PLLC, a private practice focused on expanding access to compassionate, culturally responsive mental health services for underserved and minority populations.
Lekeisha’s leadership philosophy is grounded in compassion, integrity, service, equity, accountability, and continuous learning. She is committed to strengthening healthcare systems, improving coordination of care, reducing barriers to behavioral health services, and creating workplaces where employees feel supported and empowered to grow. Her long-term vision includes influencing healthcare policy, serving as a prominent voice on mental health and healthcare leadership, and pursuing future executive roles such as CEO or COO. Through her clinical expertise, operational leadership, teaching, mentorship, and dedication to health equity, Lekeisha continues to make a meaningful impact on the individuals, organizations, and communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lekeisha
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to surround myself with supportive, knowledgeable mentors and experienced professionals who can guide and challenge me throughout my career. My mentors have encouraged me to prepare for opportunities, learn from my mistakes, and continue moving forward even when challenges arise. Their guidance has reinforced the importance of lifelong learning, resilience, and professional growth, while also inspiring me to mentor and develop others as I advance in my own career.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare industry is to surround yourselves with strong mentors and begin preparing for future opportunities as early as possible. Continue learning, pursue education, ask questions, and remain open to constructive feedback. Mistakes are a natural part of professional growth, so do not allow them to discourage you; instead, learn from each experience and use it to become a stronger, more informed leader. Most importantly, remain confident in your abilities, advocate for yourself, and never allow temporary setbacks to prevent you from pursuing your goals, including executive leadership.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges in behavioral healthcare today include limited access to services, workforce shortages, fragmented communication, and the ongoing need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use treatment. I believe patients are often negatively impacted when communication between providers, programs, and community resources is incomplete, which is why stronger warm handoffs and coordinated care systems are essential to improving outcomes and ensuring that individuals do not fall through gaps in service. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities in healthcare policy, technology, workforce development, community partnerships, and culturally responsive care. There is an increasing need for experienced healthcare leaders who understand both clinical services and executive operations, and I am committed to contributing to that future through my leadership, education, clinical expertise, and continued advocacy for underserved communities.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are compassion, integrity, service, education, accountability, and equity. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality mental health and healthcare services, regardless of their income, background, or community. I am especially committed to serving underserved and minority populations and advocating for more equitable access to care. I also value professional development and believe effective leaders have a responsibility to create environments where people feel supported, respected, empowered, and encouraged to grow.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.