Community Human Services Board selects Shawn Stone as the new CEO, replacing the retiring Robin McCrae.

Community Human Services is getting a new CEO, after the Board of Directors appointed Shawn Stone, currently the chief operating officer, to replace longtime CEO Robin McCrae who is retiring on April 3 after three decades in the position. The vote took place on Thursday, Feb. 19, following a nationwide search.

“I am grateful for the Board’s trust and the opportunity to serve in this role,” Stone said in an announcement on Feb. 24. “Community Human Services has a strong foundation and a dedicated team. I look forward to continuing our work to improve access, strengthen our services and create meaningful opportunities for individuals and families to stabilize and thrive.”

Before becoming the COO of what is a joint powers agency providing community-based services for mental health, substance use and homelessness, Stone served as senior program officer for CHS, leading the homeless services division. As COO he has managed major facility development initiatives, expanded services capacity and strengthened regulatory oversight across local, state and federal frameworks, among other responsibilities.

McCrae has been with CHS for 33 years, serving as CEO for 31 of those years. Under her leadership she transformed the organization into a regional leader in community-based social services, expanding those services and broadening its reach.

In addition, McCrae spearheaded major capital improvement projects and the development of infrastructure to support the delivery of services and built collaborations with public agencies, health care providers and nonprofit partners to address complex social challenges of Monterey County.

In one example, last fall CHS opened a new adolescent outpatient drug treatment program in Monterey, for patients aged 13-17, offering group and individual counseling and family support. McCrae also was behind the effort to bring a new shelter for women and families to Monterey, Shuman HeartHouse, which opened in 2023. She partnered CHS with Gathering for Women to open Casa de Noche Buena in Seaside in 2021.