SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Jewish Family Service (JFS) has named Dr. Bonny J. Forrest as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Forrest will oversee the organization’s more than 50 programs that operate out of 15 locations throughout San Diego County, with an additional office in Palm Desert that serves the Coachella Valley.
Dr. Forrest has more than 20 years’ experience as a psychologist and attorney. She has practiced and conducted research as a pediatric neuropsychologist and has led clinical programs in other nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was the Director of Early Childhood Programs at the San Diego Center for Children and, before that, a Director of Developmental Services, Clinical Programs at Rady Children’s Hospital. Dr. Forrest earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University, and completed fellowships at the Yale School of Medicine and the National Institute of Mental Health.
A passionate advocate for children of limited financial means, she is also the developer of Project SKIP (Screening Kids for Intervention and Prevention), an on-line program designed to increase access for all parents to screen children for social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental delays, including autism.
Before becoming a psychologist, Dr. Forrest practiced for many years as a lawyer in California and New York, primarily with the New York firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and with Greenwich Capital Markets and Merrill Lynch. While completing her doctorate, she led the pro bono program at Shearman & Sterling, another New York-based law firm, and spearheaded the organization of a charitable foundation for the Whitney family.
Jill Borg Spitzer, ACSW, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer of JFS, noted that “Bonny is an ideal match for this organization. She brings a background in law, psychology and management to JFS, which are important attributes to have at this time in the agency’s history.”
Dr. Forrest said “I could not have found a greater home. JFS truly has an incredible team devoted to justice, kindness, quality, and integrity in every aspect of what they do for our community.”
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Preceding provided by Jewish Family Service