Give Hope for the Holidays this year. Match with a child receiving support from The Buckeye Ranch and help make the season bright.
Since joining The Buckeye Ranch in May 2019 as its fourth President and CEO and first female chief executive, Vickie Thompson-Sandy has led the organization through a period of significant growth, innovation, and impact. With more than 36 years of experience across child welfare, behavioral health, healthcare, senior living, housing, and human services, she is a respected leader and advocate for children, families, and communities.
Prior to joining The Buckeye Ranch, Vickie served as President of Samaritas, one of Michigan’s largest nonprofit organizations. In that role, she led nearly 1,900 employees and oversaw a comprehensive continuum of services, including healthcare, senior living continuing care communities, affordable housing, behavioral health, disability services, foster care, adoption, family preservation, refugee resettlement, home health, and community outreach programs.
Under Vickie’s leadership, The Buckeye Ranch has expanded its reach and strengthened its continuum of care to meet the growing needs of Ohio’s children and families. She successfully led the consolidation of three governing boards into a single Board of Directors, secured more than $35 million through partnerships and fundraising efforts to launch Ohio’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, expanded mental health services into new communities across the state, secured one of Ohio’s six Child Wellness Center grants, and advanced strategic initiatives that increased organizational capacity and impact. During her tenure, The Buckeye Ranch has significantly increased the number of youth and families served while introducing innovative programs focused on mental health, child welfare, education, and family support.
Vickie’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that healing happens through strong families and communities. As she often shares, “Children thrive when they are safe, secure, and supported in their journey of healing.” Her work is centered on empowering professionals to recognize family strengths and partnering with children and families to overcome barriers and achieve lasting success.
Beyond her role at The Buckeye Ranch, Vickie is an active advocate within Ohio’s nonprofit and behavioral health sectors. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Ohio Children’s Alliance and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. She is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
Vickie earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Western Michigan University and a Master of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. She resides in Central Ohio with her husband and family.