Traci Whitworth Named 2025 Leader in Diversity by Triad Business Journal

Leaders in Diversity 2025: Traci Whitworth of Apogee Behavioral Medicine

Apogee Behavioral Medicine is thrilled to share that Traci Whitworth, LCSW, LCAS, our Senior Director of Clinical Services, has been selected as one of the Triad Business Journal’s 2025 Leaders in Diversity. The annual awards spotlight professionals who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across workplaces and communities throughout North Carolina’s Triad region. Traci joins an inspiring cohort of honorees, including leaders from Elon University, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Core Technology Molding Corp., who will be recognized on June 12 at N.C. A&T State University.

Why Traci Was Chosen

In announcing the distinction, the Triad Business Journal cited Traci’s success in building an intentionally diverse, inclusive team of therapists and psychiatric providers at Apogee Behavioral Medicine. Under her leadership, clinicians reflect the many cultures, languages, identities, and lived experiences of the communities they serve, ensuring that clients “feel seen, understood, and supported” while dismantling historic barriers to mental-health access. The newspaper also noted Traci’s commitment to:

• Cultivating an inclusive workplace culture that values every voice and encourages collaboration.
• Expanding services to niche and underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ clients and recent refugee families.
• Strengthening community partnerships and clinical-training programs that elevate DEI principles across the broader behavioral-health ecosystem.

A Clinician, Mentor, and Advocate

Traci earned her Master of Social Work from East Carolina University in 2013 and is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the past decade, she has served in outpatient therapy, emergency services, and residential treatment, eventually taking the helm of Apogee’s clinical programs in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and beyond. Her clinical passions include mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, PTSD, substance-use recovery, grief, and family systems. Patients and colleagues alike praise her for creating safe, non-judgmental spaces, fostering therapeutic alliance, and highlighting each person’s unique strengths and motivation for change. As a clinical supervisor, she “meets new therapists where they are,” guiding them toward greater professional confidence and cultural competence.

Traci’s Perspective on DEI

In her interview with the Triad Business Journal, Traci explained that her activism is driven by “the resilience and courage of the individuals and communities I serve.” She urged organizational leaders to:

• Approach DEI with humility and a willingness to listen.
• Create safe spaces where employees feel truly valued and heard.
• Recognize often-overlooked facets of diversity, including neurodiversity, socioeconomic background, intersectionality, and diversity of thought.

Her advice to regional leaders is clear: “Be open-minded and inclusive, show empathy and understanding, and lead with integrity and courage to build a more equitable community.”

Looking Ahead

At the June 12 ceremony, Traci and her fellow honorees will join Legacy Award recipient Nigel Alston for an evening of dialogue on how DEI drives innovation and organizational success. We at Apogee Behavioral Medicine could not be prouder to see Traci’s compassionate leadership recognized on such a prominent stage. We’re incredibly proud of Traci’s recognition and grateful for her continued leadership in making mental health care more inclusive, accessible, and compassionate for all. Please join us in congratulating Traci Whitworth on this well-deserved honor—and in celebrating the diverse, inclusive, person-centered care she champions every day.

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If you’d like to learn more about Traci’s clinical specialties or schedule an appointment at our Winston-Salem or Greensboro offices, contact one of our locations or call (336) 649-9000.