Charlene Dimas-Peinado, L.C.S.W., E.M.L.
Wellnest
President and CEO
Charlene Dimas-Peinado, President and CEO of Wellnest, leads one of the oldest nationally recognized trauma informed behavioral health organizations in Los Angeles. Throughout her career, Charlene has been inspired by the communities and people she serves. “Every child and family have a story and their stories have meaning and, like a ripple of water, they affect our community,” she has said. “Our objective is to make a positive impact on those we serve — one that improves a life, improves our community.”
Charlene combines the big-picture perspective of a visionary, hands-on executive, and the insights of an experienced licensed psychotherapist in her quest to help children, young adults and families lead emotionally healthy lives. She calls upon 30 years of experience in behavioral health and non-profit organizations. She is the first Latina President & CEO of Wellnest since its founding in 1924 and provides overall leadership and strategic direction as it approaches one hundred years of community service.
She has broadened the organization’s financial health to $33M annually with her expertise in public and private contracts to expand best-in-class, compassionate, trauma informed care. Under her leadership, the organization created a new brand identity – Wellnest Emotional Health & Wellness; completed construction for the Life Learning Center; expanded core services to include transitional and permanent supportive housing; completed Wellnest’s first Permanent Supportive Housing Development project – The Nest on Florence (July 2022); and is completing two additional housing developments, The Nest on Exposition (Summer 2025) and The Nest on Jefferson (Fall 2026).
As Wellnest’s fiduciary leader, and translator of its mission and vision, she ensures the organization is financially, politically, and operationally strong, as it provides best-in-class behavioral health and housing services while addressing the changing needs of its communities. She has experience in obtaining and providing direct oversight to multi-million-dollar contracts (county, state & federal) with expertise in non-profit governance, audit and compliance, and regulatory matters. Additionally, she has spearheaded multiple fundraising and capital campaigns, which have raised millions of dollars, forged new partnerships, and leveraged the impact of donations from donors to provide critically needed services in underserved communities.
Charlene holds a Master of Leadership from University of Southern California, and a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. In 2015, she was appointed to the Board of Governors for the Natural History Museum by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. In 2022, she was appointed to the California Interagency Council on Homelessness Advisory Committee by the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary and California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary. Additionally, she serves on multiple boards including the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, BizFed, Rotary LA5 and serves as Chairwoman for City Club LA Board of Governors.