Laura Hitchcock had previously served in the CEO role in an interim capacity.
Photo by Jason Luc
Youth Eastside Services has appointed Laura Hitchcock as its new chief executive officer, formalizing Hitchcock’s leadership after five months as interim CEO.
“I am deeply honored to lead YES into its next chapter,” Hitchcock said in a recent news release. “As the daughter of a middle-school counselor and teacher, and a parent myself, I understand how vital it is for children and youth to have access to mental health treatment and support.”
Hitchcock brings more than three decades of experience in community-based health and advocacy. Her previous roles include CEO of the Washington State Public Health Association and leadership positions with the United Way of King County; the League of Education Voters; and Public Health — Seattle & King County, where she led multi-agency initiatives on youth-related public health issues.
Her connection to YES dates back to 2019 through her involvement in Brave Commitments, a coalition of youth-focused service providers. She officially joined the organization in December 2025.
“My passion lies in building a stronger mental health support system where we can speak openly about challenges and ensure every young person has a safe space to turn to,” she said in the release.