Portage Path Behavioral Health Names Kythryn Carr Harris as New CEO

The Portage Path Behavioral Health Board of Trustees has named Kythryn Carr Harris, MSW, LISW-S, as its new CEO. She takes over on Jan. 1. Carr Harris succeeds Tracy Yaeger, Ph.D., who retires at the end of this year after 36 years with the organization. Portage Path is based in Akron and serves more than 8,000 Summit County residents each year. It has locations in Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls. The agency provides care regardless of a client’s insurance status or ability to pay. More Than 25 Years of Behavioral Health Leadership Carr Harris brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the role. Her background spans clinical practice, provider organizations, county behavioral health systems and hospital-based care. She most recently served as Executive Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Operations at the MetroHealth System in Cleveland. In that role, she oversaw more than 180 professionals in behavioral health and substance use services at 17 locations. Before joining MetroHealth in 2021, she spent nearly 20 years with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County. As Vice President of Clinical Services there, she developed an addiction stabilization center and two mobile crisis teams. She also led development of the initial Franklin County Opiate Action Plan. Carr Harris holds a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with supervisory designation in Ohio. Board Chair Praises New Leader Robert Cooper chairs the Portage Path Board of Trustees. He said the search focused on finding someone who could honor the agency’s history while planning for what comes next. “Our board set out to find a leader who would respect Portage Path’s past while charting a course toward a successful future, and we found that leader in Kythryn Carr Harris,” said Cooper. “She has spent her career building and advocating for access to care for the people who need it most. Her experience developing mental health and crisis services, along with strong community partnerships, is exactly what we were looking for in our next CEO.” Carr Harris said she is honored to join the organization. “Portage Path has guided individuals in our community on the path to recovery and hope for more than 55 years,” said Carr Harris. “I’m honored to join an organization that has a legacy of providing crisis care and quality outpatient mental health and substance use services to the Summit County community. I look forward to building on our foundation with our staff, our community partners and the individuals we serve.” A 36-Year Legacy at Portage Path Yaeger joined Portage Path in 1990 as a psychology resident. She became a psychologist there in 1991. She later served as Vice President of Clinical Services for 25 years before being named president and CEO in January 2017. Under her leadership, Portage Path navigated Ohio’s 2018 Behavioral Health Redesign and the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency secured two SAMHSA grants totaling $6.3 million. It also worked to develop Summit County’s first mobile therapy center. In December 2025, Yaeger led Portage Path to become Summit County’s second Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. She is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine. She has mentored many young professionals at both organizations. Crisis Line and Outreach Work Yaeger worked closely with the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Board on 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls. Through that work, Summit County calls are answered by local, highly trained specialists at Portage Path. In 2024, she joined the ADM Board and the City of Akron to launch the Summit County Outreach Team, known as SCOUT. “Dr. Yaeger has been a steady leader who has worked tirelessly to balance the needs of our staff, our clients and the Summit County community,” said Cooper. “She leaves a strong foundation that will carry Portage Path forward for years to come.” Yaeger thanked the staff, board, partners and donors who supported the agency. “As I prepare to pass the torch, I do so with tremendous confidence in the people who make Portage Path what it is,” said Yaeger. “Thank you to our dedicated staff, our unwavering Board of Trustees, and our partners and donors. Your support has made this work possible. It has been a privilege to serve alongside you in caring for and improving the lives of our Summit County community.” About Portage Path Behavioral Health For more than 50 years, Portage Path has helped people recover from mental illness and related substance use issues. The agency also answers local calls in Summit and Lake counties made to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Callers can talk about anxiety, depression, financial issues, personal problems and suicidal thoughts. The line is available 24 hours a day, se