Joseph M. Costa

Managing Director

Joseph M. Costa, Managing Director, has over 35 years as an executive director serving nonprofit and social impact organizations. Joe is the former CEO of Hillsides, a child and family serving organization based in Los Angeles providing an array of residential and community based behavioral health services. During an 11-year tenure, Hillsides significantly expanded its services and successfully navigated the ever-evolving environment of child welfare and behavioral health. During this period Hillsides merged with another child serving organization, Bienvenidos; completed a $18 million dollar capital improvement project, converted its residential services to a short-term therapeutic residential program, and maintained its special needs school program. In addition, Hillsides significantly expanded its mental health services and youth development programs.

In 2013, under Joe’s leadership Hillsides achieved national accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA) and was recognized as a trauma informed organization by the National Council for Behavioral Health.

Acknowledged as a leader in the child welfare field, Joe served as Chair of Child Welfare League of America from 2014 – 2017. He served on the governing body of the Child Welfare League of America until 2021 and served also on the governing bodies of both the California Alliance for Child and Family Services and the Los Angeles based Association of Community Human Service Agencies

Joe has initiated a practice as an independent consultant providing executive support services for nonprofit organizations. His consulting practice includes services as a senior adviser, developer of strategic plans, group facilitator, fundraising counsel, and public speaker. Currently he is facilitating the search for the next CEO of the D.C. based advocacy organization Child Welfare League of America. He also serves as a consultant with Wild Fundraising and as a Senior Associate of Open Minds.

Joe holds a master’s degree in divinity from St. John’s Seminary, School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in social work from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. Certified Interim Executive Director.