Chief Executive Officer

Founded in 1967 with the opening of the nation’s first shelter for minors, Huckleberry Youth Program (HYP) has always responded to community needs with innovation and collaboration. Today, we provide a wide spectrum of services, including mental and physical health care, counseling, juvenile justice diversion, education and career access, an emergency shelter, and support for survivors of human trafficking.

HYP’s mission is to work in solidarity with young people and their families to advance their personal growth and social equity. We are a community-based organization serving youth ages 12- 24 and their families in San Francisco and Marin counties, with programming focused on safety, health, justice, and education. Every day, our dedicated team partners with youth and their families to ensure that services are holistic, youth-centered, and grounded in dignity and equity.

HYP offers a continuum of services across crisis intervention, mental and behavioral health, health care, education, and justice diversion—grounded in the belief that when all youth succeed, our community is stronger. HYP operates innovative and integrated programs such as:

• Huckleberry Youth Health Center (San Francisco & Marin) providing comprehensive adolescent and reproductive health, peer-counseling, health education, HIV/PrEP services, and drop-in care.
• Behavioral Health services, including individual and family therapy, case management, groups, substance use counseling, and behavioral health education.
• Huckleberry House offering 24/7 crisis response and emergency shelter for youth in immediate need.
• Juvenile justice diversion & assessment programs, e.g. CARC and Seeds of Change, focusing on restorative justice, case management, service integration, and reentry to schools and communities.
• College & career access programming, e.g. ACE (Access to College Equity) Academy, which supports first-generation students through internships, academic support, college prep, and transitions.
• Support for sexually exploited youth, e.g. HART (Advocacy & Response Team), delivering crisis intervention, case management, and field-based support in partnership with child welfare, law enforcement, and community systems.

The new CEO benefits from a deep history and reputation of trust, with staff, partners, funders, and communities knowing HYP for its resilience, integrity, and capacity to serve in the most challenging contexts.

This unique career opportunity offers you the chance to lead at the intersection of service, advocacy, and systems change—not only managing existing programs but shaping how HYP will respond and grow in the years ahead.

In short, this role isn’t just about leadership—it’s about stewardship of a holistic, mission-driven institution that approaches youth and families through multiple interconnected lenses: health, justice, education, crisis, and equity.

With a multi-million-dollar operating budget and a long history of innovation, HYP delivers essential programs for thousands of young people each year.

The Board of Directors has engaged the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) to conduct the search for the next Chief Executive Officer. Interested individuals should apply online. Additional questions or confidential inquiries can be directed to Tom Hayashi (thayashi@cvnl.org, 415-448-0336)

The Opportunity

• Providing dynamic leadership for an executive team of 6–7 senior leaders, cultivating a collaborative and accountable culture by upholding the organizational mission, vision and core values.
• Guiding organizational change and aligning resources with evolving community needs through bold and adaptive strategic planning.
• Ensuring fiscal health by managing an $8–12 million annual budget, overseeing diverse revenue streams, and stewarding strong financial systems.
• Leading HYP’s fundraising efforts with creativity and drive, cultivating individual, foundation, government, and corporate support—including six- and seven-figure commitments.
• Deepening HYP’s visibility and influence as a trusted partner in youth development, locally.
• Serving the external face of the organization, with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Experience in media relations, public speaking, and community engagement to effectively represent HYP to diverse stakeholders.

Program Stewardship & Accountability

• Accountable for compliance with contracts, grants, and licensing requirements that sustain HYP’s programs.
• Support and empower program leaders, recognizing their expertise and contributions to mission success.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of HYP’s core services to represent them accurat