Dr. Lambert-Woodard has over 30 years’ experience and was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Homes in 2011 having served as President and Chief Operating Officer for the preceding 14 years.
Since she has taken on the role of CEO, the agency has gone through a tremendous period of growth and innovation. She has been nationally recognized for her ability to seize the opportunity presented during the housing downturn and grow Pathways’ housing portfolio to nearly 500 properties providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness in Northern Virginia and Central Florida. She was able to manage this growth while evolving service quality through strong fiscal management.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard is an avid promoter of social justice. She is an advocate of Fair Housing and is known for her commitment to combating NIMBYism and eradicating stigma. She served as the 2014-2017 Co-Chair for the Fairfax Fair Housing Committee; and in 2012, she was instrumental in changing local policy and practice by creating political and community support to foster a more inclusive community in Fairfax County. She is the Chair of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s DEIJ Committee; served on Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman’s Task Force on Equity and Opportunity; and Chairs the DEIJ committee for the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers, for which she is the chair. In addition, she is on the Advisory Board of the Advanced Credentialing Academy of Substance Abuse Counselors.
During her tenure, Pathway Homes has been nationally recognized by the NonProfit Times as a Best Nonprofit to Work in the nation from 2012-2018. Also, Pathway Homes received national attention from the National Association for County Community and Economic Development for a 22-unit project developed in collaboration with Fairfax County’s Department of Housing and Community Development. At the state level, Pathway Homes received the coveted 2013 Virginia Housing Award at the Governor’s Housing Conference for its innovative consumer- directed housing approach. Locally, Pathway Homes was recognized by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce as a finalist in their Best Corporate Citizen Award in the nonprofit category.
In 2014, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard was the recipient of the 10th Annual Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award. This competitive award recognizes and spotlights outstanding leadership among Washington-area nonprofit chief executives. And, has recently been showcased in the Washington “Profiles for Success” featuring area CEO’s that make a difference.
Prior to joining Pathway Homes, Dr. Lambert-Woodard served in several capacities. She is the Founder and current CEO of the Alliance Therapy Center, LLC which serves children, adolescents, and adults in Northern and Central VA for over 20 years. She is EMDR trained and works extensively with Veterans specializing in trauma. She directly worked in and managed federal, state and local programs and contracts with HUD, Department of Justice, and Department of Corrections, SAMSHA, and VAASAP within the metropolitan area. She has directly served and developed substance use and co-occurring services for habitual offender’s inpatient and outpatient, as well as, directly provided forensic services within regional prisons. Dr. Lambert-Woodard has provided pastoral counseling and professional coaching. She has taught at local universities, and provided training, lecture, and keynote presentations for conferences, universities, and organizations throughout the country and internationally. In addition, she has supervised and served in various management capacities within the Fairfax County’s Human Service division and Community Services Board.
Dr. Lambert-Woodard received her Bachelor of Science from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, Master’s degree in Social Work from Catholic University, Washington D.C., and Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Professional (LSATP), Master Addictions Counselor (MAC), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Board Diplomate- Fellow (FACASAC). In 2016, Dr. Lambert-Woodard successfully completed the Harvard University Business School Strategic Responsibilities in Non-Profit Management Executives training program.