Leadership Transition at NewBridge Services: Michelle Borden retires; Carolyn Dean named Executive Director

Christian Health has announced a leadership transition at NewBridge Services, with Michelle Borden, LCSW, retiring as President and CEO, effective September 1, after nearly three decades of service to the organization, and Carolyn Dean, MA, appointed Executive Director, also effective September 1. Borden, who joined NewBridge in 1997 and has served as CEO since 2020, has played an integral role in the organization’s growth and evolution, helping NewBridge adapt to changing community needs across mental health, housing, education, and community services while building strong partnerships throughout northern New Jersey. She will remain with Christian Health as Senior Transition Advisor through the end of 2026.

Most recently, Borden helped lead NewBridge through its integration with Christian Health, bringing together two longstanding nonprofit organizations with shared commitments to strengthening the health and well-being of the communities they serve. “Michelle has devoted nearly 30 years to NewBridge and to the thousands of individuals and families whose lives have been touched by its programs,” said Stephen J. Dumke, LNHA, FACHE, President and CEO of Christian Health. “Her leadership, deep knowledge of the communities NewBridge serves, and unwavering commitment to its mission have helped position the organization for a strong future. We are tremendously grateful for all she has contributed and wish her every happiness in retirement.”

Borden will continue to support Christian Health as Senior Transition Advisor, helping to ensure a smooth transition while sharing the experience, perspective, and community relationships she has built over nearly three decades with NewBridge.

Dean, a NewBridge leader with more than 25 years of service to the organization, has been named Executive Director of NewBridge Services. In her new role, she will lead the day-to-day operations of NewBridge’s housing, education, and community services programs and report to Amy Shotmeyer Porter, Esq., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Christian Health. “Carolyn brings extensive knowledge of NewBridge, its programs, and the communities it serves, along with a genuine commitment to the people at the heart of its mission,” Dumke said. “Her appointment provides important continuity while strengthening the connection between NewBridge and the broader Christian Health organization.”

“I am honored to take on this role and build upon the strong foundation that Michelle and so many dedicated NewBridge team members have established,” Dean said. “NewBridge has a remarkable history of responding to community needs, and I look forward to working with our team and our Christian Health colleagues to continue that work and create new opportunities to serve.”

Borden joined NewBridge after more than a decade overseeing psychiatric and substance-use programs at East Orange General Hospital. She advanced through increasingly senior leadership roles at NewBridge, ultimately serving as Chief Operating Officer before being named CEO in 2020. Her tenure has included leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access to services, and helping guide the partnership and integration with Christian Health. “NewBridge has been an extraordinary part of my life, and I am deeply proud of what our team has accomplished together,” Borden said. “I am especially grateful to the employees, board members, community partners, and supporters who have believed in our mission and made this work possible. As I step into retirement, I do so with great confidence in Carolyn, our team, and NewBridge’s future as part of Christian Health.”

Debbie King, Chair of the NewBridge Services Board of Trustees and daughter of one of the organization’s founders, reflected on Borden’s lasting impact on the organization. “Michelle has dedicated much of her career to ensuring that NewBridge remains responsive to the changing needs of our communities while never losing sight of the people we exist to serve,” King said. “She has led with compassion, skill, and an extraordinary commitment to NewBridge’s mission. I know how proud my father would be of what NewBridge has become, and Michelle has played an important role in carrying that vision forward.”

NewBridge Services became part of Christian Health in 2024, expanding the organization’s continuum of mental health, housing, education, and community-based services and extending its reach into Hudson, Morris, and Sussex counties. The integration brings together the strengths, expertise, and resources of both organizations, creating new opportunities to expand access, strengthen programs, and extend their collective impact across northern New Jersey.

About Christian Health
Since 1911, Christian Health’s mission has been to offer a listening ear, a helpful hand, and supportive guidance throughout every stage of wellness. A nonprofit organization founded on the belief that everyone deserves exceptional care, Christian Health continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community. We provide a comprehensive continuum of mental health services, communities for adults and older adults, rehabilitation services, and educational programs that foster physical health and nourish the spirit. Our care is recognized through top honors, rankings, and accreditations from leading organizations, reflecting our commitment to the strictest standards and quality benchmarks. Caring is not simply what we do; it is who we are.

Media Contact:
Kelly Tanis
(201) 848-5921
KTanis@ChristianHealthNJ.org