Maria Droste Counseling Center Names Laura Ferguson, LPC, LMFT, as Next Executive Director

After a comprehensive national search, the Board of Directors of Maria Droste Counseling Center (MDCC) is happy to announce that Laura Ferguson, LPC, LMFT, has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Ferguson, a seasoned behavioral health leader with more than 20 years of experience in clinical care, program administration, regulatory compliance, and nonprofit management, will assume the role on January 5, 2026.

Ferguson currently serves as the Executive Director of Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, where she oversees all operations for a behavioral health facility serving adolescents across residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. In this role, she has led significant quality, clinical, and regulatory improvements, including returning the facility to good standing with the Department of Human Services within ten months and achieving major gains in patient outcomes, with 100% of discharging patients reporting subclinical levels of depression and anxiety in mid-2025 .

She brings extensive expertise in compliance and quality improvement from her prior leadership roles as Executive Director of Quality & Compliance for Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital, and Director of Quality Improvement for Community Reach Center, where she implemented organization-wide auditing frameworks, strengthened regulatory performance, and prepared teams for Joint Commission accreditation.

Ferguson also previously served as the State Authority for Involuntary Treatment within the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, leading statewide regulatory updates, conducting high-profile investigations, drafting statutory and rule revisions, and partnering with all 17 Community Mental Health Centers across Colorado. 

“We are excited to welcome Laura as our new Executive Director and look forward to the leadership and vision she brings to MDCC. Laura brings depth of experience, strategic insight, and a leadership style that aligns beautifully with our mission and values.” said Demetrius Parker, Chair of the Board of Directors. 

Throughout her career, Ferguson has championed trauma-informed, culturally responsive, equity-focused care, along with workforce development and clinician resilience—core components of MDCC’s mission. She has supervised clinicians for over a decade, led large multidisciplinary teams, taught advanced documentation and clinical practice standards, and developed programs grounded in quality improvement and value-based care. She also founded an internship partnership for graduate counseling students and has experience building behavioral health programs from the ground up .

“As a mission-driven leader, it is an honor and privilege to step into the role of Executive Director at Maria Droste Counseling Center,” said incoming Executive Director Laura Ferguson. “My focus in the months ahead will be to listen deeply, learn from colleagues, and foster the partnerships that allow us to serve our community with compassion and excellence. I hope to serve as a stabilizing presence at MDCC – someone who leads with authenticity, vision, and a deep respect for the work this community has carried for so long.”

This appointment follows the leadership transition overseen by Cynthia Romero, who has served as Interim CEO since 2023. “I am deeply grateful for Cynthia’s steady guidance as Interim CEO and the ongoing support of our leadership team. Cynthia will remain with us as a consultant during the transition, which allows us to continue moving forward with stability, collaboration, and confidence.” Parker said.