The Austin-based nonprofit promoted Andrew Benscoter and Krystale Bezio to Chief Officers
Upbring, a faith-inspired nonprofit working to break the cycle of child abuse, announces two changes to its Senior Leadership Team: the appointments of Andrew Benscoter, Ed.D., as Chief Education & Growth Officer and Krystale Bezio, MSW, LCPAA, as Chief Program Officer effective January 1, 2020. The two promotions are in part of a new leadership structure designed to further the organization’s important mission.
“During their tenures at Upbring, both Andrew and Krystale have been integral parts of advancing our mission,” said Upbring’s newly appointed President and CEO Michael Loo. “I am confident that as they take on their new Chief roles, they will continue to lead by example as we continue to provide much-needed resources and care to children and families through the programs they oversee.”
As Chief Education & Growth Officer, Benscoter leads all Upbring education services and works to assess and develop additional growth opportunities. In 2015, he joined the organization as Vice President of Education and Innovation and was promoted to Vice President of Education & Residential Programs and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Charter Schools in 2017. In those roles, he helped lead strategic program growth that resulted in a $28 million increase in Upbring’s operating revenue. Benscoter has helped open 20 Upbring Head Start preschools, two private preschools, 11 Trinity Charter School locations and provided oversight, implementation and leadership for three Office of Refugee and Resettlement facilities and two Residential Treatment facilities.
In her role as Chief Program Officer, Bezio ensures quality care, supervision and program direction for all foster care, adoption, supervised independent living, residential treatment centers and the Office of Refugee and Resettlement programs. During her fifteen-year tenure with Upbring, she has risen through the ranks, holding seven different positions increasing in responsibility. In her most recent position as Senior Vice President of Program Operations and Development, she supervised all Regional Directors, the Statewide Treatment Director and the Evolv System Administrator as well as support staff within Upbring’s Foster Care and Adoption programs. She also developed and implemented a Quality Management program to meet the demographic and epidemiological needs of the children and families in Upbring’s care.
The 2020 Upbring Senior Leadership Team consists of four Chief Officers and eight Executives. To view Senior Leadership biographies including previous roles and experience, as well as current job descriptions and headshots, visit Upbring.org.
About Upbring
Upbring is a leading Texas-based, faith-inspired nonprofit organization working to break the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities. Upbring partners with federal, state and local government agencies, community groups, small businesses, large corporations and dedicated individuals to deliver services that produce measurable progress toward five key markers of every child’s wellbeing: safety, life skills, education, health and vocation. Upbring benefits nearly 30,000 families each year with its life-changing programs including foster care, adoption, education, children’s centers and community services. While Upbring has evolved over more than 136 years of service, our organization remains firmly focused on delivering innovative programs and services that address the root causes of child abuse and neglect. For more information, please visit upbring.org.