In 1984, Susan Dempsey was trying to find mental health support for her son. What she found was a system that was hard to access and even harder to navigate. So she built something better, and that became Step Up.

Today, leaders like Dr. Kelly Peterson help guide that mission forward.

Dr. Peterson is an industrial psychologist and Principal of Transitions 2 Transformations. For more than 25 years, she has worked with executives and organizations on leadership strategy, equity, and organizational effectiveness across corporate, healthcare, nonprofit, and public sectors. Her work focuses on helping organizations turn values into measurable action.

She first partnered with Step Up as a consultant, leading equity assessments and planning efforts. What began as professional work quickly became something more. Drawn to the mission and the organization’s impact, she transitioned from consultant to Vice Chair of the Board.

“At my firm, our core value is love,” she says. “Love for the mission and for what is possible when people work toward the highest good. I saw that lived out at Step Up.”

Her commitment is also personal.

“As a family, we have experienced the fear and near tragedy of trying to support loved ones facing mental health challenges and housing instability. When housing is not secure, everything becomes exponentially harder.”

That perspective shapes how she views the organization’s approach.

“Once we remove the fear of not being safe and secure, rebuilding a life becomes possible.”

Leadership like Dr. Peterson’s reflects a broader commitment across the organization.

Women lead across every level of Step Up.

Stable housing brings predictability. Consistent care builds trust. Together, they create the conditions people need to regain balance and move forward.

“We provide a tangible, workable solution to a problem that costs lives,” Dr. Peterson adds. “Nothing is more important than restoring a life story with renewed purpose and possibility.”

This Women’s History Month, we recognize Dr. Peterson’s leadership and the thoughtful, steady guidance she brings to Step Up’s future. Her story reflects the organization’s founding spirit. When systems fall short, build something better.