We’re thrilled to welcome Carolyn McDonald, LCSW PMH-C, to Second Wind Fund as our new Program Director! With more than two decades of experience in youth mental health, grief counseling, trauma-informed care, and program development, she brings a powerful blend of clinical expertise and heart to this role.
At Second Wind Fund, Carolyn oversees all aspects of our mental health referral program, from streamlining operations and refining our provider network to leading data-informed improvements and ensuring we meet state and federal evaluation requirements. She works closely with community partners, schools, and mental health providers to help make youth suicide prevention efforts more effective, accessible, and community-centered across Colorado.
Before joining our team, Carolyn served as the Child and Family Services Manager at Jefferson County Head Start for over 13 years, where she led trauma-informed initiatives, supported reflective supervision practices, and built strategic partnerships to improve family health outcomes. She’s also the founder of Safe and Sound Counseling, LLC, where she continues to provide compassionate care for children and families navigating grief, trauma, and maternal mental health challenges.
Her previous roles have included everything from grief counselor and internship coordinator at Judi’s House/JAG Institute to school-based case manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Across all of her work, one value remains constant: a deep commitment to accessible, equitable, and healing-centered mental health care for children, youth, and families.
Carolyn holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services from Fort Lewis College, grounding her leadership in both academic rigor and a lifelong commitment to social impact.
Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys spending time in the mountains with her family, cheering on Colorado sports teams, and catching live music whenever she can.
“I often say that Mr. Rogers was my first mental health mentor. What I learned from watching Mr. Rogers as a young child absolutely impacted the path I took. Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to creating environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. While each role I’ve held has looked a little different, the core belief has stayed the same: all children and adolescents thrive in communities that genuinely care. As a program director, I lean into strategic and programmatic thinking—but I’m always grounded in my clinical training and experience that tells me that every young person deserves access to systems of care that support their lifelong well-being.” – Carolyn McDonald
To connect with Carolyn, please email her at cmcdonald@thesecondwindfund.org
