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Susan Armiger: A Trailblazer in Behavioral Healthcare

In a remarkable achievement, Susan Armiger, the President and CEO of Catalight, has received the prestigious Silver Award for Innovative Woman of the Year in Healthcare at the 2025 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. The recognition, awarded at a recent gala in New York City, highlights Armiger's visionary leadership and transformative contributions to improving access, quality, and equity in behavioral healthcare, specifically for individuals with autism and those facing intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Need for Innovative Leadership

The landscape of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses has dramatically changed over the years, with rates soaring nearly sixfold since 2000, a trend attributed to broader diagnostic criteria and heightened awareness. Statistics show that 1 in 31 children are now identified as having autism, while 1 in 6 face some developmental disability. For families, this often translates into daunting wait times ranging from several months to a year for assessment and care, which can significantly hinder children's developmental trajectories.

Armiger emphasizes the crucial need for personalized and timely care, stating, "Access to timely, personalized care can change the trajectory of a child's life. This recognition reflects our team's unwavering commitment to reimagining healthcare — breaking down barriers, accelerating access, and ensuring every individual and family has the opportunity to meet the unique goals that drive their wellbeing."

Catalight’s Impact Under Armiger's Leadership

Under Susan Armiger's leadership, Catalight has made significant strides toward addressing the national care gap. One of the most notable achievements is the establishment of a pioneering value-based care partnership with one of California's largest health insurers, now in its eighth year. This collaboration has led to measurable improvements in quality, access, and overall value in healthcare delivery. Over the past year, Catalight has registered exceptional outcomes, including:

• - Rapid Access to Care: A remarkable 93% of families now receive care within ten days, a stark contrast to the national averages that extend into several months or a year.
• - High Satisfaction: The organization has achieved an impressive customer satisfaction score of 4.34 out of 5, derived from over 24,000 families annually.
• - Cost Reduction: Catalight has successfully reduced care costs by 30% while simultaneously expanding access and innovation in service delivery.

Armiger's forward-thinking vision also aims to democratize healthcare by promoting flexible, caregiver-led approaches and investing in research and education to bolster outcomes. Through initiatives like the Catalight Classroom — offering innovative continuing education to professionals worldwide — and the launch of the podcast "What’s Up With Catalight!" — the organization is stimulating global conversations around care standards and the foundational importance of wellbeing.

Recognition from Peers and Industry Experts

The Stevie judging committee acknowledged Armiger's transformative leadership and its substantial impact on behavioral health. Their comments highlight her noteworthy achievements, such as drastically improving wait times, enhancing satisfaction, reducing costs, and expanding caregiver-led care practices at scale, surpassing national benchmarks.

Experts commended her ability to navigate complex challenges, notably the pivot to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing her resilience and adaptability.

The Stevie Awards: Celebrating Remarkable Women

The 2025 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business celebrate outstanding women executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations on a global scale, with over 1,500 nominations submitted from various sectors and 48 countries. This initiative reinforces the importance of recognizing and promoting women making impactful contributions across all industries, including healthcare.

About Catalight

Catalight is dedicated to breaking down barriers and biases to foster a more equitable world where individuals with developmental disabilities can choose their path. The organization provides innovative, individualized care services, clinical research, and advocacy empowered by intelligent technology. Through its affiliates, Catalight supports individuals and families throughout their care journey, connecting over 16,000 practitioners with 24,000 patients annually. With a decade's experience and a diverse team of clinicians, Catalight is reimagining the healthcare experience for those they serve.