Ashley Pena

Ashley Pena, LCSW, is the vice president of outpatient operations at AMFM Healthcare, where she leads the strategic development and expansion of Mission Connection, the organization’s adult and adolescent intensive outpatient mental health treatment program. In this national role, Ashley oversees intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), and telehealth services, ensuring that clients receive high-quality, accessible care across every stage of the treatment continuum.

Since joining AMFM Healthcare in 2019 as a residential therapist, Ashley has played a key role in the growth of Mission Connection, helping to launch and scale the program during a pivotal time for virtual and hybrid mental health care. Under her leadership, Mission Connection has expanded across multiple states, offering flexible in-person, remote, and hybrid treatment options that bridge the gap between residential care and traditional outpatient therapy.

Ashley earned a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University and is a licensed clinical social worker in California. She specializes in evidence-based modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and solution-focused care. Her clinical background informs her leadership approach, ensuring that operational decisions remain grounded in quality care, individualized treatment, and measurable outcomes.

Ashley focuses on building inclusive, client-centered programs that reduce barriers to care and support long-term recovery. She is passionate about creating systems that allow individuals to move seamlessly through levels of care without disruption, empowering them to maintain progress and achieve lasting wellness.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Ashley is an active voice in the behavioral health field, contributing to national conversations on mental health, clinical innovation, and access to care. Her insights have been featured in publications including TIME, Forbes Health, Men’s Health, Healthline, Verywell Mind, Poosh, ABC News, and more.