Dr. Tara Chalakani – CEO, Preferred Behavioral Health Group

In this episode of Tim Talks: Behavioral Health, Tim Zercher sits down with Dr. Tara Chalakani, CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group, to discuss what it takes to lead and grow a mission-driven behavioral health organization.Drawing on more than three decades of healthcare leadership experience, Dr. Chalakani shares lessons on building a strong organizational culture, staying anchored to your mission during periods of growth, and leading with both compassion and accountability. She also discusses the challenges nonprofit organizations face when scaling services, retaining top talent, and securing the resources needed to support their communities.The conversation also explores practical marketing strategies for behavioral health providers, including the importance of brand consistency, employee advocacy, social media visibility, and creating meaningful engagement through newsletters and events.Whether you're leading an ABA organization, behavioral health practice, or nonprofit healthcare organization, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership, culture, growth, and sustainable impact.