Rita Demo, MPH, LMFT, Named Vice President, Community, Crisis, and Prevention Services for Wheeler
Just as in everyday life, there are occasional “full-circle moments” in careers. This is especially true for Wheeler’s Rita Demo, MPH, LMFT, who recently was named vice president of Community, Crisis, and Prevention Services for Wheeler.
In this role, Rita provides clinical and administrative oversight for more than 25 programs, the newest of which is the organization’s Prevention unit. This department encompasses an array of state- and federally supported prevention programs for individuals of all ages, as well as oversight of Connecticut Clearinghouse, a statewide library and resource center for information on substance use and mental health, wellness and more, funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Previously a senior director with oversight of outpatient, community-based, and crisis programs, Rita assumed additional responsibility for prevention following the June 2024 retirement of Judith Stonger, MA, CPS, vice president of Prevention, Wellness and Recovery.
Rita started her career as an educator at a local health district nearly two decades ago where she managed nutrition programs and an array of related health initiatives. Her public health training, combined with her undergraduate degree in psychology, made her naturally inclined to pursue health at a different level. “I had a caretaker mindset,” she said. “I wanted to go deeper with people.”
Rita pursued a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Central Connecticut State University and started with Wheeler in 2008, first as a direct care counselor before moving into clinical roles.
“The move to Wheeler allowed me to fully utilize both my administrative and clinical skills, while using data to drive decisions and outcomes,” said Rita.
Rita rose steadily through the organization with positions of increasing responsibility. In 2013, she was named program manager for Wheeler’s Children’s Outpatient Programs. She was promoted to associate director in 2015, and in 2016, she assumed responsibility for Wheeler’s Congregate Care Programs. From 2019 to present, additional programs were added to her oversight, including Extended Day Treatment, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, HelpLine, and more.
“Rita’s many years of successful clinical and administrative oversight of programs and services, as well as her education and training, make her very well-suited for this position,” said Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, president and chief executive officer, Wheeler. “In addition to comprehensive experience in public health, clinical, and community-based settings, Rita is deeply committed to achieving positive outcomes through data-driven decisions.”
Rita says she’s looking forward to her broadened leadership role and mentoring her team, drawing from all aspects of her experience to develop others.
“It’s always about the opportunities,” she said. “Wheeler is a place that truly cares. There is a place for everyone and room to contribute at every turn. I am thankful for this current opportunity where I can draw from the value of both degrees, as well as my experience, and to help others achieve their unique potential.”
Connecticut Clearinghouse
Connecticut Clearinghouse is a statewide library and resource center for information on substance use and mental health disorders, prevention and health promotion, treatment and recovery, wellness, and other related topics. Materials from its specialized library and resource center are available to Connecticut families, teachers, students, professionals, communities, and children. A program of Wheeler’s Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness and Recovery, Connecticut Clearinghouse is funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Learn more: ctclearinghouse.org.
