ONE on Campus | 2022 Logo

Lynne Pedersen

CADC-II, ICADC, CEO/Founder

Ms. Pedersen is known for her unbridled passion and fierce commitment to any person in need of care. A respected professional with over 30 years of progressive experience in the addiction and mental health field. Her expertise in program development is evidenced by her contribution in the build of two of the finest residential treatment programs in the nation.

In 2015, her focus shifted from the build of centers to creating space for early intervention and prevention. It had become clear to Lynne that many adolescents who entered the doors of residential treatment had clear and present signs long before that level of care was indicated. There seemed to be no viable option to intervene early in an effort to prevent the teen from spiraling. Lynne felt that as a society we wait for the crisis and it is only then that we act. She decided to create a space for the kids who have no struggle, some struggle and/or are struggling and create a microcosm of the campus, the culture and the country.

Lynne launched The ONE Exchange shortly thereafter; the first campus-based restorative justice programming of its kind. It allows students who commit an infraction punishable by suspension to exchange it for attendance at ONE support groups. There are currently over 100 students on one campus alone who graduated without having a moment of bad judgment derail or define their future.

Background.

Lynne started her career in the adolescent mental health field in 1984 and quickly moved through the ranks from floor staff to counselor. It was clear to all she encountered that she had a way with adolescents that few others did. She took her skills on the road and developed the first campus-based support groups in 1985. She went on to launch a statewide network of free community support meetings for parents and teens.

At twenty-six years old, Lynne was asked to direct an adult chemical dependency program at Hollywood Community Hospital before leaving the field to raise her sons and develop a wildly successful arts-based product development company. Her clients included The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, Royal Caribbean, Ralph Lauren and the retail giants Home Depot and Starbucks.

It was upon the return from a commission in Dubai that Lynne received a request from a colleague to assist in the development of their admissions department. Intrigued by the challenge to create the department and assist with rebranding as well as infrastructure; she accepted. Lynne not only met their need – she far exceeded it. The company was then able to secure the private equity they had been seeking. Her efforts not only allowed them to keep existing houses, but to expand into the nationwide program they are today.

Lynne left that program in the fifth year at the request of the founder of a small boutique adolescent program on the west coast looking to expand. She developed their nationwide admissions Department and contributed essential components of company infrastructure from policies, staff-training to programming while cultivating innovative referral streams all of which played a key role in the foundation for the expansion and exponential growth of the company.

Lynne’s gift in building programs of quality and care is undeniable.

Forefront.

It is in this rich history of passion, integrity, and purpose that ONE was born. Lynne took some away time from the building of residential programs and focused solely on the building of our youth. She invested her funds and energy to create a space where the diagnosis or struggle was not the focus but the connection from one human to another was. A program where kids could walk in, connect and heal without it being their intention. A place where ONE can truly alter the course of another.

It is believed that the need for all students to have support on-campus is too daunting for a nationwide solution. It is not. Thanks to Lynne, we have one. ONE-ON-Campus

Acknowledgments & Training:

Lynne received her certifications from UCLA in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Studies & Program Management. She holds a CADC-II, ICADC and Intervention Training from the prestigious Johnson Institute.

Recognition: The NBA, National Basketball Association for her role in their intervention training; the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with Paramount Studios on the D.A.R.E. program; MTV’s for the Rock Against Drugs commercial campaign; and work with incarcerated youth at Camp Kilpatrick. The Newport Mesa Unified School District Honorary Service Award.