Thresholds Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Thresholds has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, and finance.

Driven by a commitment to recovery, Thresholds provides essential healthcare, housing, and hope for individuals facing mental illnesses and substance use disorders, inspiring reclamation of lives through comprehensive support and advocacy.

Leadership Roles at Thresholds

  • Chief Executive Officer - John Benedict
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Jacqueline Johnson
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Thomas Ferch
  • Chief Financial Officer - Steven VanHouten
  • President & Professional & Counselor & Owner - Patti Hein
  • President - Denny SParKy
  • President - Mary Goldfarb
  • Chief Information Officer - Ademola Popoola
  • Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Amp - Brian Ko
  • John Benedict - Chief Executive Officer

    John Benedict, the Chief Executive Officer at Thresholds, directs the overarching strategy and operational framework for the organization. Benedict guides the company's mission to provide healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders across Illinois. This leadership role involves ensuring seamless integration of care, employment, advocacy, and housing services, directly supporting the reclamation of lives for those served. Benedict collaborates with other senior leaders to foster an environment of continuous improvement and impactful service delivery. The Chief Executive Officer's focus remains on expanding the reach and effectiveness of Thresholds' programs, solidifying its position as a vital resource within the state. John Benedict drives the strategic vision that underpins the organization's success in Illinois.

    Jacqueline Johnson - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Jacqueline Johnson, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Thresholds, spearheads the strategic direction and operational execution of the organization's comprehensive services. Johnson leads initiatives focused on delivering healthcare, housing, and hope to individuals managing mental illnesses and substance use disorders throughout Illinois. This executive position involves overseeing the integration of care pathways, employment opportunities, advocacy efforts, and housing solutions designed to empower individuals in reclaiming their lives. Johnson works closely with the executive team to ensure the highest standards of service delivery and program efficacy. The President & Chief Executive Officer's mandate includes fostering innovation in treatment approaches and expanding the organization's impact across its service areas. Jacqueline Johnson champions the mission of Thresholds, driving forward its commitment to supporting thousands annually.
    Jacqueline Johnson

    Thomas Ferch - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Thomas Ferch, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Thresholds, commands the strategic vision and operational execution for the organization's extensive service offerings. Ferch guides the delivery of critical healthcare, housing, and hope initiatives for individuals grappling with mental illnesses and substance use disorders across Illinois. This leadership capacity encompasses the oversight of integrated care models, employment support, advocacy programs, and housing solutions, all aimed at enabling individuals to reclaim their lives. Ferch collaborates with the executive team to enhance program effectiveness and expand the organization's reach. The President & Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include driving innovation in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and ensuring the sustained growth of Thresholds' impact. Thomas Ferch is dedicated to advancing the organization's mission throughout Illinois.

    Steven VanHouten - Chief Financial Officer

    Steven VanHouten, the Chief Financial Officer at Thresholds, directs the financial strategy and fiscal management of the organization. VanHouten oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring the sustainable delivery of healthcare, housing, and hope services to individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. This executive function involves managing financial resources to support employment programs, advocacy efforts, and housing initiatives. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the leadership team to optimize financial performance and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements. Steven VanHouten's stewardship of the company's finances is crucial for maintaining the operational integrity and expanding the reach of Thresholds' vital programs across the state.

    Patti Hein - President & Professional & Counselor & Owner

    Patti Hein, the President & Professional & Counselor & Owner at Thresholds, guides the strategic vision and operational execution of the organization's core services. Hein leads the provision of healthcare, housing, and hope for individuals managing mental illnesses and substance use disorders throughout Illinois. This leadership position involves direct oversight of counseling services, professional development, and ownership responsibilities that ensure the effective delivery of integrated care, employment support, advocacy, and housing solutions. Hein works closely with the executive team to foster a client-centered approach and enhance program efficacy. The President & Professional & Counselor & Owner's focus is on empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and advancing the mission of Thresholds across its service areas. Patti Hein is committed to the organization's impact in Illinois.

    Denny SParKy - President

    Denny SParKy, the President at Thresholds, directs the strategic initiatives and operational oversight for the organization's comprehensive support services. SParKy leads the delivery of healthcare, housing, and hope to thousands of individuals in Illinois who are navigating mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This executive role encompasses ensuring the seamless integration of care, employment opportunities, advocacy, and housing solutions designed to empower individuals in reclaiming their lives. SParKy collaborates with the broader leadership team to uphold the highest standards of service delivery and program effectiveness. The President's mandate includes driving innovation in treatment methodologies and expanding the organization's positive influence across its operational regions. Denny SParKy champions the core mission of Thresholds.

    Mary Goldfarb - President

    Mary Goldfarb, the President at Thresholds, spearheads the strategic direction and operational management of the organization's vital programs. Goldfarb oversees the provision of healthcare, housing, and hope for individuals in Illinois affected by mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This critical role involves ensuring the effective implementation of care, employment, advocacy, and housing services that assist and inspire people to reclaim their lives. Goldfarb works in tandem with the executive team to enhance service quality and expand the organization's reach. The President's responsibilities include fostering advancements in mental health and substance use disorder support and ensuring the sustained impact of Thresholds. Mary Goldfarb is dedicated to advancing the organization's mission throughout Illinois.

    Ademola Popoola - Chief Information Officer

    Ademola Popoola, the Chief Information Officer at Thresholds, architects the technology strategy and digital infrastructure that supports the organization's mission. Popoola oversees the implementation and management of information systems critical for delivering healthcare, housing, and hope to individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. This role involves ensuring data security, system reliability, and the effective use of technology to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other department heads to align technology solutions with the company's strategic goals, including supporting employment and advocacy programs. Ademola Popoola drives technological innovation to empower individuals in reclaiming their lives and strengthens the organization's capacity to serve thousands annually across the state.
    Ademola Popoola

    Brian Ko - Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Amp

    Brian Ko, the Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Amp at Thresholds, leads the technological innovation and development initiatives for the organization. Ko is responsible for defining and executing the technology roadmap, ensuring that advanced solutions support the delivery of healthcare, housing, and hope to individuals facing mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. This role involves overseeing the development of new technologies and platforms that enhance service accessibility and effectiveness, including those related to employment and advocacy. The Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Amp collaborates with the executive team to integrate cutting-edge technology into all facets of operations. Brian Ko's expertise drives technological advancements that empower individuals to reclaim their lives and strengthens Thresholds' capacity to serve the community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Thresholds Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Thresholds?
    Thresholds is led by John Benedict (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jacqueline Johnson (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Thomas Ferch (President & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of Thresholds’s executive team?
    The executive team of Thresholds includes leaders such as John Benedict (Chief Executive Officer), Jacqueline Johnson (President & Chief Executive Officer), Thomas Ferch (President & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Thresholds have?
    Thresholds has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Thresholds’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Thresholds includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President & Professional & Counselor & Owner.