Florence Crittenton is entering a new chapter—one designed to support long-term growth, strengthen our programs, and expand our impact across Montana and beyond. As our organization has evolved, so has our structure. This new model ensures that our programs can stay focused on what they do best—serving families—while a dedicated executive team supports strategy, operations, and growth across all areas of the organization.
At the center of this structure is a shift to executive leadership roles that provide clarity, alignment, and capacity across the Florence Crittenton family of organizations, including direct service programs, the Training Institute, the Foundation, and our campus.
Leadership Changes
As part of this transition:
- Carrie Krepps has been named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), providing overall leadership across all Florence Crittenton entities. Carrie has been with Florence Crittenton for 16 years, serving as the Development Director for 9 years before stepping into the Executive Director 7 years ago. In this role, she is focused on long-term strategy, funding, organizational alignment, partnerships, advocating for the organization and families, and future growth.
- Pat Sassano will be transitioning to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), leading operations, systems, and infrastructure that support the day-to-day functioning of the organization and ensure operational excellence. Pat has been with the organization as the Director of Operations and Resource Development for 2 years after leadership roles in technology and business development.
- Elizabeth Flynn will be stepping into the role of Director of Resource Development, bringing marketing and development together under one unified function to align fundraising, communications, and outreach in support of long-term growth. Liz brings over 20 years of experience at Florence Crittenton in marketing, brand management, and referral agency communication.
This leadership structure allows for clearer focus at every level, both strategic leadership and strong operational execution.
Why We Created the Florence Crittenton Training Institute (FCTI)
The Florence Crittenton Training Institute (FCTI) was created as a natural extension of our mission and over 125 years of experience serving families impacted by trauma.
Over time, we recognized a growing need beyond our direct services. Professionals across healthcare, education, child welfare, first responders, military, and law enforcement, to name a few, are facing increasing levels of stress, secondary trauma, and burnout. FCTI was developed in response—to share our expertise, strengthen the workforce, and improve outcomes for children and families across entire systems of care.
Through training, consulting, and practical tools, FCTI equips professionals with the skills needed to manage trauma exposure and sustain their work—creating a ripple effect of stronger, more resilient communities.
In addition to training, FCTI offers organizational facilitation and conflict support services, designed to help teams and leaders navigate complex workplace dynamics. Using trauma-informed approaches, these services focus on strengthening communication, improving accountability, and helping organizations address the underlying patterns that drive conflict and performance challenges.
These facilitation services expand FCTI’s impact beyond individual learning—supporting entire teams and organizations in creating more stable, aligned, and effective systems of care.
Training Institute Faculty
Daniel Champer
Daniel Champer is a clinical and training leader with deep expertise in trauma-informed care, relational practice, and workforce sustainability. Through the Florence Crittenton Training Institute, he leads the development and delivery of trainings that help professionals better understand and manage secondary trauma, strengthen relationships, and stay effective in high-stress roles. His work focuses on turning complex concepts into practical tools that individuals and organizations can apply in real time.
Jen Burckhard
Jen Burckhard brings strong experience in early childhood, family systems, and trauma-informed practice to her work with the Florence Crittenton Training Institute. As a trainer and facilitator, she supports professionals in building skills around connection, regulation, and effective engagement with the families they serve. Her approach is grounded, practical, and focused on helping teams apply what they learn directly into their work.
How This Structure Supports Stronger Programs
This new organizational structure is intentionally designed to shift operational complexity away from program teams and into centralized leadership and support functions.
Through this model:
- Program leaders are able to focus more fully on program quality, outcomes, and innovation
- Core organizational functions—such as operations, compliance, financial systems, marketing, and partnerships—are managed centrally
- Leadership bandwidth is expanded to support growth, sustainability, and strategic opportunities
Ultimately, this structure strengthens all facets of the organization:
- Programs are more focused, effective, and responsive
- The organization is more sustainable, scalable, and aligned for the future
Looking Ahead
This evolution positions Florence Crittenton to deepen its impact—not only through direct services, but also by strengthening the systems that support families across Montana. By aligning leadership, expanding capacity, and investing in innovation like FCTI, we are building a stronger foundation for the future.