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Executive Team

Executive Director

Jeremy Harle

Jeremy Harle is the Executive Director of Kairos Northwest. Before being named Executive Director, in September of 2022, he was Kairos’s Senior Clinical Director and was responsible for all the agency’s clinical operations, which include service and delivery, policy, training and support, and contract negotiation. As of July 2024, Jeremy has spent just over a decade with Kairos.

Jeremy is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon, although he was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Jeremy earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, PA, and his Master of Art in Counseling, from the Pacifica Graduate Institute, in Carpinteria, CA. Jeremy’s experience in mental health is quite vast, as he has trained, worked, supported, and led teams in hospital, residential, educational, and outpatient settings.

When Jeremy isn’t working (which is rare), he’s chasing after his kid, planning the family’s next travel experience, tasting new foods, or working on one of his German automobiles.

Quality Systems Director

Adrienne Auxier

Adrienne Auxier is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a concentration in mental health counseling from Southern Oregon University, and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Quality and Safety from the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Adrienne has held various roles in the behavioral health field such as a counselor, clinical supervisor, quality assurance coordinator, and program director. She has devoted over seven years to Kairos, dedicating her professional career and ongoing education to enhancing the quality, effectiveness, and safety of mental health care.

In her leisure time, Adrienne enjoys relaxing with her dogs, immersing herself in nature, and indulging in a good mystery novel.

Operations Director

Carolyn Acker

Carolyn Acker is a mental health professional with over 20 years of mental health experience. Born and raised in Texas, Carolyn moved to Oregon in 2010 with her husband and two children to work at Kairos. She holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas. Carolyn currently serves as the Operations Director at Kairos. Carolyn is dedicated to the mission and vision of Kairos and strives to support everyone in the Kairos community. In her free time, she enjoys podcasts, reading and being outside and learning new hobbies.
Human Resources Director

Silence Casavant, SHRM-CP

Silence Casavant was born and raised in the Northern California Redwoods. Silence has spent her career in Human Services and Administration and worked the first 12 years as an Independent Program Manager and foster parent for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2008, she relocated to New Mexico and started working for Eastern New Mexico University as an Administrative Outreach Coordinator in the University’s TESOL program, helping and empowering Teachers’ Aides to earn their master’s degrees and become teachers. Her administrative experience in Human Services ultimately brought her back to the Pacific Northwest where she turned her focus to human resources, first with a local community mental health agency in Grants Pass and eventually with Kairos as the HR Generalist in 2018. During this time, she became a Certified Human Resource Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management and obtained multiple HR specialty certifications and credentials. In 2020, Silence was promoted to the Kairos Human Resources Director. After spending over 29 years as both a hands-on provider in Human Services and in management, she thrives on being a passionate advocate and supporter for Kairos staff and clients. When Silence isn’t busy at work, you can find her hanging out with her husband and children, sitting with her chickens, cuddling her Mini Schnauzer, or building miniatures.
Outpatient Services Director

Sarah Hollingworth, LPC

Sarah Hollingworth is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Oregon and has been in the mental health field since 2007. Born in England, raised in the California Bay Area, and currently settled in Southern Oregon, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sonoma State University and went on to earn her master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College. Sarah has post-graduate certificates in Adoptive & Foster Family Therapy and Infant/Toddler Mental Health from Portland State University. Sarah is currently the Outpatient Services Director for Kairos NW and has been with the agency since 2017 where she is fiercely committed to the agency’s mission of community collaboration and instilling in hope. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and dog, playing softball and roller derby, and traveling as much as possible.
Residential Director

Autumn Whaley, LPC

Autumn Whaley has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Oregon since 2015. She was led into the mental health field in 2004-2005 by teaching at-risk, middle school students art for her practicum experience during her last year of undergraduate studies at Southern Oregon University. The transformative and healing experiences witnessed through the making of art inspired Autumn to pursue her Master’s in Art Therapy Counseling at Marylhurst University.

In 2009, Autumn began working at Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center (SOASTC), which became Kairos NW. Autumn has remained committed to Kairos’s mission, vision, and values while working a variety of positions within multiple settings at the agency including Treatment Foster Care, secure residential treatment for young adults, and non-secure residential treatment for young adults. Autumn has been the program manager at Kairos Momentum Residential Treatment Home (RTH) since 2016. In 2022, Autumn assumed the additional role of Residential Director which allows her to provide support, training, and oversight to the other RTHs at Kairos as well.

When Autumn is not busy carrying out Kairos’s mission, she enjoys spending time with her family and Frenchie dog, creating art, and eating good food at local restaurants.

Development Director

Scott Rogers

Scott Rogers is the Director of Development at Kairos NW, bringing over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership. Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to serving the public, advocating for meaningful change, and ensuring that vital resources reach those in need. His passion lies in improving youth mental health and wellness, working to create programs and secure funding that provide critical support for young people and their families.

Beyond his professional work, Scott and his wife have dedicated themselves to fostering children, offering a stable and loving home to those in need. Their experience as foster parents has further reinforced his commitment to strengthening community-based services that support youth and families facing mental health challenges. His work is driven by a belief that every child deserves access to the care and resources necessary for a bright and healthy future.

When he’s not working, Scott enjoys exploring the great outdoors of Oregon with his wife and son. An avid hiker and skier, he finds peace and inspiration in nature, whether trekking through scenic trails or carving down snowy slopes. Scott holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Public Affairs from the University of Florida, equipping him with the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex policy and development landscapes to further the mission of Kairos NW.

Sr. Executive Clinical Assistant/Board Liaison

Lisa Ambrose, QHMA

Lisa Ambrose is a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) in the state of Oregon and has worked for Kairos for seven years. After many years in the banking industry, Lisa changed her focus to mental health and earned her degree in Human Services in 2011. In her capacity as the Sr. Executive Clinical Assistant, Lisa supports our Board of Directors, Executive Team, and Residential Treatment Homes. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Lisa loves all things Oregon. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, bike riding, hiking, going to wineries, and traveling.

Board of Directors

Board President

Jennifer Gustafson

Jennifer Gustafson joined the Kairos Board of Directors with over 10 years of experience as an Additions and Problem Gambling Counselor working within Behavioral Health and over 10 years in healthcare. She holds a national certification through the Commission for Case Manager and has continued to hold a state Problem Gambling certification. She earned a bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability. Jennifer is employed at a local Coordinated Care Organization where she is the Director of Community Engagement. She works closely with community partners on grant projects, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and has been leveraging a regional multidirectional technology platform that connects individuals to the services and supports.

In her free time, she enjoys being out in nature and spending time with family. She is a devoted mother of four children and two grandchildren. Jennifer is a proud Blue Star mom supporting her Marine son and other service men, women, and veterans.

Board Vice President

Joshua Lute

Joshua Lute serves as the Kairos Board Vice-President. He has served on the board since October 2020. Josh works as an attorney for Dutch Bros Coffee, where he was General Counsel from 2012 to 2022. He currently works as Dutch Bros' primary Employment and Franchise Law Attorney. Prior to Dutch Bros, Josh worked for the international law firm, Perkins Coie. He is a proud father, and he and his wife Melanie have seven children between them. Josh has prior non-profit board experience at Hearts With A Mission and the Grants Pass Youth Soccer Club.
Board Secretary/Treasurer

Jennifer Lewis

Jennifer Lewis, CPC, CPB, has a worked in the medical billing and coding field for over 20 years. She is a Certified Professional Coder and Biller. She is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and serves as the President for her local chapter. Currently, she is the Chief Executive Officer of a successful billing company, Delphina Solutions, serving providers in several different specialties. In that role, she sees changes daily in healthcare. She enjoys learning and educating others. Jennifer is passionate about handling the billing cycle for clinics so providers can spend time with their patients and get paid for the hard work they do.

Jennifer has been married for 6 years. Her and her husband have 5 children between them. She also is a grandma to her 5 precious grandchildren. She is also a momma to 2 pugs, Frankie and Jimie. She spends time camping with her family and at the dunes during the summer. She enjoys catching air with a wheelie over a dune. She really enjoys her family time. Jennifer also loves travel and gardening.

Board Member

Sam Engel

Sam Engel has lived in the Rogue Valley since 2001 (mostly). Initially, as a Southern Oregon University (SOU) student then as an AmeriCorps VISTA. He began his career in social service through the Josephine County Food Bank. He worked in healthcare and on housing and nutrition as Social Determinants of Health for more than 6 years before transitioning to Rogue Retreat. Rogue Retreat operates several connected, layers of supported housing and shelter ranging from low-barrier shelter and safe camping to fully case-managed apartments. When not at work, he and Heidi raise kids, vegetables, and try to enjoy all that the outdoors on the west coast has to offer.
Board Member

Caroline Dhillon

Bio coming soon.