Executive Staff
Our dynamic group of more than 140 employees is lead by a of team seven individuals who work together in order to ensure Bellewood reaches it mission of changing lives and building futures.
Executive DirectorJerry Cantrell
jcantrell@bellewood.org
As executive director, Jerry oversees staff and operations at Bellewood with more than 30 years of experience in social service. His expansive career began in 1971 as a cottage parent at Woodsbend Boys’ Camp in West Liberty, Kentucky. In 1983 he was hired as chief operating officer for the Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency in Buckhorn, Kentucky. He served in that position for 19 years until 2002 when he became executive director of Bellewood.
Jerry is a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as a licensed certified social worker. He received his M.A. in Social Work from University of Louisville and his B.A. in University Studies at Morehead State University. Additionally, he is a senior trainer for the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute in Hagerstown, Maryland and is a graduate of the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2001.
Committed to providing quality services to families and children in need, Jerry works diligently to design programs that are individualized in order empower families and children to solve their problems and become independent, self-sufficient members of a community. In 2009, Cantrell received the Champion for Children Award, an honor given to those who significantly impact the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky.
Director of Central Kentucky OperationsJanine Dewey
jdewey@bellewood.org
Janine came to Bellewood in 2007 and oversees the mentoring, foster care and independent living programs in Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown. Janine’s extensive experience in the field of social services encompasses residential mental health and substance abuse treatment as well as intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment.
She received her M.A. in Counseling Services from Webster University and her B.A. in psychology and sociology from Eastern Kentucky University. Additionally, Janine is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Director of Louisville Residential OperationsJulie Greenwell
jgreenwell@bellewood.org
Julie oversees the four residential programs and school on Bellewood’s Louisville campus. She came to Bellewood in 1993 and has more than 17 years of experience in providing residential treatment services to adolescents. Additionally, she has 11 years of experience in the provision of clinical services that include a focus on addressing issues related to past trauma, poor attachment, developmental delays, substance abuse and emotional/behavioral instability.
In addition to being a Licensed Psychological Associate, Julie has a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Spalding University and B.A. in Psychology from University of Louisville.
Director of Western Kentucky OperationsKristy Watt
kwatt@bellewood.org
Kristy oversees residential treatment, therapeutic foster care, independent living and family preservation programs in Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah. She has been instrumental in expanding services in western Kentucky since she came to Bellewood in 2007. Her experience includes providing outpatient therapy to both adults and children, school-based therapy, residential treatment and therapeutic foster care. Kristy received both her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and her B.A. in Criminology and Sociology from Western Kentucky University. Additionally, she is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Director of Development and Community RelationsSally Pendleton
spendleton@bellewood.org
Sally serves as Bellewood’s leader in fundraising and community engagement initiatives. Since she began in 2006, Sally has been instrumental in strengthening relationships and increasingly Bellewood’s visibility. Before coming to Bellewood, she spent 10 years advocating for abused and neglected children throughout Indiana.
Sally received her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and another M.A. in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University. She obtained her B.A. in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois. Additionally, Sally is an elder at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church in Louisville.
Director of Compliance and Quality ImprovementTheresa Higgins
thiggins@bellewood.org
Theresa’s extensive history at Bellewood began in 1985 when she was assigned as a direct childcare employee. In 2002, Theresa was appointed her current position where she reviews programming and treatment reports to ensure compliance with regulations. Additionally, she compiles client data for monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Director of Finance and AdministrationVicki King
vking@bellewood.org
Vicki brought 20 years’ experience in management and accounting when she came to Bellewood in February of 1997. At Bellewood, Vicki oversees responsibilities with finance, administration, facilities, IT services and risk management.