Howard Shiffman

Howard Shiffman, M.A., Senior Advisor, brings over 30 years of successful organizational and business experience in human service fields including expertise in executive management, strategic planning, business development, finance, marketing, market intelligence research, fundraising, and board development. For OPEN MINDS clients, Mr. Shiffman brings hands-on expertise that comes from successful management and consulting with a number of programs. He has a unique ability to “think outside of the box” when it comes to program and revenue growth, cultivating strategic partnerships and in fostering personal relationships. Prior to joining OPEN MINDS Mr. Shiffman successfully led a number of organizations and programs. He most recently served as the chief executive officer of Griffith Centers for Children, a COA‐accredited, full-service treatment program for severely troubled youth and their families.  He also developed one of the first offense‐specific sex offender programs in the United States. During his 34-years with Griffith Centers he has served in many leadership roles in the child welfare community including president of the Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies, board member of the Child Welfare League of America, and chair for the CWLA National Advisory Committee on Public Policy.  Mr. Shiffman was also appointed by the Colorado Governor to serve on a task force to study human services and make recommendations for changes.  Mr. Shiffman served as the chairman of the Colorado Continuum Network serving Sexually Abusive Youth and was appointed to the Colorado Sex Offender board representing the interests of adults and juveniles. Before coming to Griffith Centers, Mr. Shiffman was an administrator at Fort Logan Mental Health Center in Denver, leading an inpatient psychiatric team. He has also worked on the Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico, was a juvenile probation officer and worked with disabled clients. Mr. Shiffman holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, with a specialty in Marketing from Rider University. He was recently awarded a Life Time Achievement Award from the Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies and is a contributor to Children’s Voice, the CWLA national magazine.