Gretchen Lash serves as the Director of Program Services at ChildBuilders. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Vermont and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston. She began her career teaching fifth and sixth grade in Vermont public schools before moving to Houston to integrate her passion for social-emotional learning into a career in social work.

In 2008, she joined ChildBuilders as a social work intern, where she discovered an exciting intersection between education and social work. Through this experience, she deepened her expertise in the development, implementation, and evaluation of K-12 social-emotional learning curricula. After years of serving as a consultant, she transitioned to a full-time position at ChildBuilders in 2022.

As Director of Program Services, Gretchen plays a pivotal role in shaping ChildBuilders’ impact. She leads curriculum development and revision for Parents Under Construction, Build to Nurture, and Stand Strong • Stay Safe®. She also spearheads grant writing, securing over $250,000 annually with the support of her team, and manages key relationships with community members utilizing ChildBuilders’ programs. Additionally, she oversees marketing initiatives, advises on organizational strategic planning, and directs research and evaluation efforts to ensure program effectiveness and sustainability.