Gwen Mancuso

About Gwen Mancuso

Dynamic and mission-driven behavioral healthcare executive with 20+ years of progressive leadership across academic medical centers, nationally recognized psychiatric hospitals, and leading outpatient organizations. Proven record of transforming operations, driving financial growth, and building high-performance, patient-centered cultures. Recognized for balancing clinical depth with strategic business acumen, including oversight of multimillion-dollar budgets, regulatory compliance, payer relations, and enterprise-wide patient access. Trusted by boards, C-suites, and external stakeholders to navigate complexity, scale innovation, and safeguard organizational reputation. Adept at steering multidisciplinary teams through growth, restructuring, and high-stakes transitions while keeping clinical excellence and human dignity at the core.CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES• Enterprise Operations & Strategic Growth• Financial Stewardship & Budget Optimization• Multidisciplinary Team Leadership• Complex Negotiations & Partnership Development• Admissions, Patient Flow & Access Management• Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Oversight• High-Stakes Crisis & Reputation Management• Talent Development, Mentorship & Succession Planning

Experience

1. Director of Admissions

   Silver Hill Hospital

   Jul 2024 — Present · New Canaan, CT, US

   Lead enterprise-wide admissions strategy for one of the nation’s most respected psychiatric hospitals, overseeing team performance, patient flow optimization, and revenue integrity.• Reengineered admissions workflows to reduce bottlenecks, accelerate time-to-treatment, and improve payer approval processes.• Elevated staff engagement and accountability through coaching, restructuring, and high-impact mentorship.• Act as senior liaison for VIP and complex cases, ensuring seamless coordination with referral sources, payers, and family stakeholders.• Partner with executive leadership to align access strategy with organizational growth goals, while maintaining high fiscal responsibility and ROI.

Education

• St. John's University

  Bachelor's Degree, Accounting and Finance

  1984 — 1988

• Fordham University

  Master's Degree, Master of Social Work

  1994 — 1996

• Walden University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Public Policy & Administration

  2015 — 2020

• New York University

  Master's Degree, Executive Masters of Public Administration ~ Wagner

  2012 — 2014