Charlotte, NC, January 27, 2026 – Mind the Gap, a Charlotte-based nonprofit focused on connecting families with trusted mental health resources for teens and young people, announced today the appointment of Kimberly Walker-Thurmond as Executive Director. She joins the organization at a pivotal moment as it expands community partnerships, public awareness, and long-term sustainability efforts across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.
Founded to address the growing challenge that families face when seeking appropriate mental health support for youth, Mind the Gap serves as a navigator rather than a clinical provider. Through its curated resource hub, the organization helps parents, caregivers, educators, and trusted adults identify vetted local and national resources explicitly tailored to youth and teen mental health.
“Families often recognize when their child needs additional support, but they may be unsure where to begin,” said Walker-Thurmond, Executive Director of Mind the Gap. “Our role is to bring clarity and compassion to that process, helping families navigate what can feel overwhelming during already stressful times. We’re not therapists or counselors ourselves – think of us as a guide. We connect families with trusted local resources, support groups, books, podcasts, and answers to frequently asked questions, so they don’t have to navigate this journey alone.”
Walker-Thurmond brings a community-centered leadership approach focused on trust, collaboration, and access. In her role, she will oversee strategic partnerships, community engagement, and organizational growth while maintaining Mind the Gap’s core mission of serving as a reliable connector to youth-focused mental health resources.
“Kimberly, is a mission-driven leader with more than two decades of experience guiding nonprofit and mission-centered organizations through strategic growth, organizational transformation, and sustained community impact, bringing a strong record of aligning strategy, people, and operations to strengthen organizational effectiveness. Mind the Gap is lucky to have her leadership. She will bring the experience we need to strengthen our organization and build our foundation in the Charlotte community,” said Brooks Turner, Co-Founder. “Her perspective aligns deeply with our mission to ensure families have a trusted place to turn when supporting young people’s mental health.”
Mind the Gap currently features nearly 180 curated, Charlotte/Mecklenberg based resources. We work closely with other nonprofit organizations, schools, and community partners to ensure information remains accurate, relevant, and accessible. Under Walker-Thurmond’s leadership, the organization will continue to build relationships, expand visibility, and lay the groundwork for future programming and fundraising initiatives.
To learn more about Mind the Gap or explore its youth mental health resource hub, visit mindthegapconnects.org.