About Us
Learn more about our
Ripple Effect Partners team.
Our Ripple Effect Partners Team
Steven Haden, MSW, MBA, CPRP
Managing Partner
Steven Haden (he/him) is a leader at the intersection of social impact, public health, and business strategy. He founded Ripple Effect Partners; a consulting firm launched in 2025 that helps organizations design data-informed strategies for transformative impact and sustainable growth.
Steven brings a rare blend of corporate and clinical experience. He previously founded and served as CEO of the mental health nonprofit Envision:You and founded the public benefit corporation You:Flourish. His background spans senior leadership roles in global communications at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Widmeyer Communications, and Cassidy and Associates, as well as clinical practice as a mental health therapist and counselor.
Steven holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a Master of Social Work from Simmons University, and he is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health at George Washington University. Steven is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Provider, a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and a sought-after speaker on the behavioral health needs of marginalized communities. He lives in Denver with his husband and their two labs.
SOME OF STEVEN’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Strategic leadership across sectors: Led communications and policy initiatives for Fortune 500 clients and applied this expertise to nonprofit and health equity work.
Culture-driven team building: Built and guided high-performing teams and aligned internal culture with brand values to increase motivation, engagement, and retention.
Research-informed policy advocacy: Co-authored the Colorado LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health State of the State Survey Report (2021), was the Primary Investigator (PI) on the YouFlourish LGBTQ+ Mental Health Needs Assessment Survey (2025), and advises on intersectional, trauma-informed policy and system transformation.
Equitable program design: Created culturally responsive mental health programs that address disparities in LGBTQ+ and other underserved communities and shaped scalable models for equity-focused care.
Scaled organizational growth: Drove a nonprofit to a 125 percent increase in operational efficiency and more than 990 percent growth in fundraising, securing durable support for LGBTQ+ mental health initiatives.
Evidence-based systems change: Delivered scalable, trauma-informed programs grounded in public health and social work principles to influence system-level outcomes.
Cross-sector partnership development: Brokered partnerships with academia, government agencies, and community-based organizations to drive collective impact and innovation in behavioral health.
National visibility and thought leadership: Featured speaker at national conferences including Mental Health America, Active Minds, National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NatCon), and the National Alliance on Mental Illness convention, and media contributor on youth mental health, wellness, state and federal policy, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Measurable impact through data: Uses behavioral frameworks and social determinants of health to design and evaluate programs, ensuring clear outcomes aligned with funder and stakeholder priorities.
Michelle Wiley, MA, LPC
Strategic Consultant
Michelle Wiley (she/her) is a strategic consultant and behavioral health leader with over 20 years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations through growth, transition, and transformation. Known for her clarity, integrity, and people-first leadership, Michelle helps organizations strengthen culture, improve performance, and achieve financial sustainability without compromising values.
Michelle specializes in leading large-scale change efforts. She bases her approach to change on the fundamental principle that collaboration makes us stronger. Michelle holds the belief that clear expectations, effective communication, and shared accountability lead to the greatest impact.
With proficiency spanning organizational strategy, data analysis, financial modeling, culturally responsive service provision, operational efficiency, and risk management, Michelle partners with leaders to co-create environments where people thrive and results endure. A Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado with a master’s degree in psychology, she brings equal parts humility, rigor, and compassion to every engagement.
MICHELLE’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Provided turnaround CEO and interim executive leadership for mission-driven organizations navigating periods of transition and change.
Founded a first-of-its-kind mental health clinic serving teens and young adults, addressing a critical service gap with innovative care models.
Led implementation of enterprise-wide technology solutions for behavioral health organizations to improve clinical workflows and data-driven decision-making.
Conducted business model analysis and led business development initiatives to enhance financial sustainability for behavioral healthcare providers.
Directed financial analysis and organizational restructuring for a legacy social impact organization, resolving budget deficits and launching new earned-revenue streams.
Designed and launched a paid Culinary Training Program as a workforce development initiative, equipping participants with skills for sustainable employment.
Led post-merger integration to unify operations, enhance service delivery, and cultivate a positive organizational culture in an education and employment services nonprofit.
Spearheaded strategic planning initiatives focused on sustainability, aligning long-term impact goals with operational and financial strategy.
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