OneEighty Executive Director Bobbi Douglas to retire after 44 years of service

The Board of Directors of OneEighty announced Dec. 3 that Bobbi Douglas, MSSA, who has served as executive director for over four decades, will retire in the summer of 2026.

“After nearly 44 years of service, Bobbi will retire from OneEighty,” said John Hall, president of the Board of Trustees. “Bobbi, a cornerstone of the organization since 1982, leaves behind a legacy of forward-thinking leadership, community advocacy and transformative growth. Thanks to her, OneEighty is a trusted place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse.”

Douglas began her career at Wayne County Alcoholism Services (later known as STEPS at Liberty Center) in 1982, becoming executive director of that organization in 1985. In 1997, she was asked to take on leadership of both STEPS and Every Woman’s House, Wayne County’s domestic violence agency. Seeing the need for stronger connections and greater efficiency, she, along with co-chairs Stan Gault and Mary Alice Streeter, plus a dedicated team of volunteers, spearheaded a $4.23 million capital campaign that resulted in the creation of the Gault Liberty Center, which now serves as OneEighty’s Main Office, along with a separate emergency shelter.

In 2006, she oversaw the strategic merger of the two agencies, resulting in the creation of the rebranded organization OneEighty. This pivotal step strengthened collaboration and improved cost efficiency across both programs.

Douglas has been a driving force in expanding programs for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse while strengthening community partnerships across Wayne and Holmes counties. Under her leadership, OneEighty has expanded services into Holmes County and raised over $5M in capital campaigns for the building of new addiction recovery residential shelters for both men and women. She has developed new innovative programs, which include engaging recovering individuals as peer mentors.

Douglas’s impact has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Athena Award (1998) and Women of Achievement Award (1997). She also served on statewide boards and advisory councils, influencing policy and advancing behavioral health services across Ohio.

“My career has been an incredible journey as I grew from a prevention consultant to a substance abuse counselor to executive director of OneEighty," Douglas said. "I am proud of the team we have been able to build, filled with talented, compassionate professionals who recognize the need to help to improve our community by supporting individuals and families as they reclaim their lives. Over the years, I have witnessed countless transformations — stories of resilience, healing, and I am humbled to have played a role in advancing this mission.”

Douglas’s retirement marks the end of an era. The Board of Trustees will be working to guide OneEighty through the process of hiring a new executive director by summer 2026.