Senior Vice President of Quality Improvement
Mario Gallegos brings more than 25 years of progressive experience in behavioral health, foster care, and social service systems, including over a decade in senior leadership at McKinley (DBA McKinley Children’s Center). His leadership is defined by strategic, data-driven transformation, quality excellence, and a deep understanding of regulated environments.
As Senior Vice President of Quality Improvement, Mario oversees McKinley’s Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) plan, setting the strategic vision for quality systems and ensuring alignment with mission, outcomes, and long-term growth. He serves as a key executive leader and primary liaison to the Board of Directors on quality, performance, and innovation. His portfolio spans Quality, Data Analytics, and Process Improvement, supporting programs across behavioral health, foster care, and social services.
Mario has a proven record of leading organizational improvement during periods of change. He has advanced performance through AI-enhanced analytics, agency-wide KPI models, and integrated quality improvement frameworks. His accomplishments include driving enterprise
initiatives using root cause analysis and PDSA cycles, elevating program outcomes, operational efficiency, and compliance. He strengthened infrastructure by integrating evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and accreditation standards, including his service as a COA Peer Reviewer.
A core aspect of his leadership is fostering culture and equity-centered systems. As Chair of McKinley’s CORE (Culture, Opportunity, Respect, Equity) Committee, he helped embed equity, accountability, and continuous learning into organizational culture. He applies the HUMAN values—Hopeful, Understanding, Moral, Awesome, and Nurturing—while building high-performing teams and ensuring ethical innovation in all data strategies.
Mario began his career in direct care and supervisory roles in residential treatment and behavioral health, grounding his executive leadership in frontline experience. He holds an MBA from California State University, San Bernardino, and an MA in Psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Mario is married with three children, and family is central to his life. He enjoys reading, lives by stoic principles of discipline, resilience, and endurance, and loves outdoor activities with his family. His connection to McKinley is deeply personal, shaped by having a close family member with a disability—making him a committed advocate for inclusion, early intervention, and strong support systems for the clients and families McKinley serves.
