[Hamilton, OH] — [August 28, 2026] — Envision Partnerships, a leader in behavioral health prevention and promotion, today announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Lori Higgins and the appointment of Kristina Latta-Landefeld as her successor. Higgins will retire effective September 30, 2026—her 41st anniversary with the agency—with Latta-Landefeld assuming leadership October 1.
Higgins leaves a lasting legacy of advancing behavioral health prevention and expanding Envision Partnerships’ impact across Butler County. Throughout her tenure, she championed a prevention-first approach recognizing behavioral health as essential to overall health and well-being.
A key leader in the creation of the Ohio Prevention Professionals Association and the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s prevention credential in the late 1980s, Higgins helped establish a science- and evidence-based prevention profession. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and a master’s degree in Education. She is an Ohio Licensed Social Worker and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, one of the first to earn the state’s pinnacle prevention credential.
Under Higgins’ leadership, Envision Partnerships strengthened efforts focused on resilience, connection, healthy communities, and protective factors while addressing conditions that influence behavioral health outcomes. We believe that behavioral health is community health. She also created and published Minimize Risk ~ Maximize Life, a curriculum educating adults about low-risk alcohol use for health and wellness. The curriculum has since been replicated in all 88 Ohio counties.
“Leading Envision Partnerships has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” said Higgins. “I am incredibly proud of what our team, partners, and communities have accomplished together. Prevention and promotion are powerful because they give us the opportunity to build strength and resilience before a crisis occurs. I am confident that Envision Partnerships is well positioned for its next chapter, and I am thrilled that Kristina will be leading the organization forward.”
Latta-Landefeld brings experience in wellness, prevention, community engagement, and organizational leadership to the CEO role. She will lead Envision Partnerships as it continues promoting behavioral health, strengthening communities, and advancing prevention strategies that create lasting change.
“I am honored to be selected to lead Envision Partnerships and to build upon Lori’s tremendous legacy,” said Latta-Landefeld. “Behavioral health promotion and prevention are about more than responding to problems—they are about creating the conditions where people and communities can flourish.”
She added, “I am excited to work alongside the talented Envision Partnerships team, our community partners, and the many individuals and organizations committed to creating healthier, more resilient communities.”
“Lori has provided extraordinary leadership and has helped shape Envision Partnerships into the organization it is today,” said John Theobald, Chair of the Envision Partnerships Board of Trustees. “Her commitment to prevention, behavioral health promotion, and the communities we serve has made a meaningful and lasting impact. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and service.”
“Kristina is an exceptional leader who understands the importance of prevention and the power of partnerships,” Theobald continued. “We are excited to have her lead Envision Partnerships into its next chapter. Her vision will help us build on our strong foundation while continuing to evolve our approach to behavioral health promotion and prevention.”
Higgins will work with the Envision Partnerships team and Latta-Landefeld during the transition to support continuity and ensure a smooth succession.
