Varina Bleil
EdM
CA, USVarina Bleil is a nonprofit leader and strategist whose career bridges mental health, the arts, and education. Since 2021, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of Maple Counseling, leading the expansion of one of Los Angeles’ most respected community mental health clinics and training centers.
Varina Bleil is a nonprofit leader and strategist whose career bridges mental health, the arts, and education. Since 2021, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of Maple Counseling, leading the expansion of one of Los Angeles’ most respected community mental health clinics and training centers. Under her leadership, Maple has grown by 82%, opened a new 10,000-square-foot clinic, and established its first $2M endowment while serving 4,000+ clients and training 120+ graduate-level therapists annually.
Before Maple, Varina served as Deputy Director at United Friends of the Children and as Executive Director of three arts-centered organizations: Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts (Cal-Creative), American Youth Symphony, and Inside Out Community Arts. Across these roles, she advanced the integration of the arts as a healing tool, from social-emotional learning in schools to cause-driven concerts and nationally recognized youth arts programs.
Her earlier career in film and television and her Ed.M. in Arts in Education from Harvard uniquely shape her approach to leadership, blending creativity, strategy, and healing. She has been a guest lecturer at UCLA, a conference presenter at Harvard, and the founding chairperson of the Prison Arts Collective’s Advisory Council, advancing arts-based healing in diverse communities.
A graduate of the Stanford Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, Varina has also completed numerous leadership fellowships, including Leadership LA, Annenberg Alchemy, Bridgespan’s Leading for Impact, and more. Her expertise spans mental health equity, nonprofit strategy, arts-based healing, fundraising, education, and workforce development. Through her work, Varina continues to champion the transformative power of both clinical care and the arts to foster resilience, belonging, and hope.
Speaking Topics:
• Mental Health & Equity – Expanding access, trauma-informed systems, and advancing health equity.
• The Arts as a Healing Tool – Harnessing music, theater, and visual arts to support mental health, resilience, and education.
• Strategic Planning & Growth – Leading organizations through vision setting, execution, and long-term sustainability.
• Nonprofit Turnarounds – Transforming organizations through innovation, revenue growth, and culture change.
• Philanthropy & Fundraising – Major gifts, endowment funds, and mission-aligned events.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships – Driving collaborations across nonprofits, government, schools, and healthcare.
• Education & Workforce Development – Building training pipelines, advancing social-emotional learning, and arts-integrated teaching/counseling.
Why Varina:
• Proven CEO: At Maple Counseling, led an 82% revenue increase, launched a new endowment, and opened a state-of-the-art clinic during challenging times (pandemic).
• Arts & Healing Innovator: As Executive Director of Inside Out Community Arts, American Youth Symphony, and Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts, developed pioneering programs using the arts to heal and empower communities.
• Experienced Speaker, Creative Storyteller & Moderator: Presenter at Harvard, UCLA, and GEO; trusted moderator and facilitator; with a background in film/TV, brings narrative power to every stage.
Engagement Formats:
Keynotes, Panels, Moderated Dialogues, Workshops
Contact Varina Bleil
Mobile Phone: (310) 729-1413
Office Phone: (310) 271-9999 ext. 219
Email Address: vbleil@tmcc.org
Varina Bleil is a nonprofit leader and strategist whose career bridges mental health, the arts, and education. Since 2021, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of Maple Counseling, leading the expansion of one of Los Angeles’ most respected community mental health clinics and training centers. Under her leadership, Maple has grown by 82%, opened a new 10,000-square-foot clinic, and established its first $2M endowment while serving 4,000+ clients and training 120+ graduate-level therapists annually.
Before Maple, Varina served as Deputy Director at United Friends of the Children and as Executive Director of three arts-centered organizations: Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts (Cal-Creative), American Youth Symphony, and Inside Out Community Arts. Across these roles, she advanced the integration of the arts as a healing tool, from social-emotional learning in schools to cause-driven concerts and nationally recognized youth arts programs.
Her earlier career in film and television and her Ed.M. in Arts in Education from Harvard uniquely shape her approach to leadership, blending creativity, strategy, and healing. She has been a guest lecturer at UCLA, a conference presenter at Harvard, and the founding chairperson of the Prison Arts Collective’s Advisory Council, advancing arts-based healing in diverse communities.
A graduate of the Stanford Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, Varina has also completed numerous leadership fellowships, including Leadership LA, Annenberg Alchemy, Bridgespan’s Leading for Impact, and more. Her expertise spans mental health equity, nonprofit strategy, arts-based healing, fundraising, education, and workforce development. Through her work, Varina continues to champion the transformative power of both clinical care and the arts to foster resilience, belonging, and hope.
Speaking Topics:
• Mental Health & Equity – Expanding access, trauma-informed systems, and advancing health equity.
• The Arts as a Healing Tool – Harnessing music, theater, and visual arts to support mental health, resilience, and education.
• Strategic Planning & Growth – Leading organizations through vision setting, execution, and long-term sustainability.
• Nonprofit Turnarounds – Transforming organizations through innovation, revenue growth, and culture change.
• Philanthropy & Fundraising – Major gifts, endowment funds, and mission-aligned events.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships – Driving collaborations across nonprofits, government, schools, and healthcare.
• Education & Workforce Development – Building training pipelines, advancing social-emotional learning, and arts-integrated teaching/counseling.
Why Varina:
• Proven CEO: At Maple Counseling, led an 82% revenue increase, launched a new endowment, and opened a state-of-the-art clinic during challenging times (pandemic).
• Arts & Healing Innovator: As Executive Director of Inside Out Community Arts, American Youth Symphony, and Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts, developed pioneering programs using the arts to heal and empower communities.
• Experienced Speaker, Creative Storyteller & Moderator: Presenter at Harvard, UCLA, and GEO; trusted moderator and facilitator; with a background in film/TV, brings narrative power to every stage.
Engagement Formats:
Keynotes, Panels, Moderated Dialogues, Workshops
Contact Varina Bleil
Mobile Phone: (310) 729-1413
Office Phone: (310) 271-9999 ext. 219
Email Address: vbleil@tmcc.org
