Over the past six years, Carrie Collins has emerged as a passionate advocate for children, families, and community transformation at Beyond Housing. Known for her unwavering dedication to building strong, trusting relationships, Collins has been instrumental in creating supportive environments where individuals and families can thrive.
In her new role as Chief Transformation Officer, Collins will lead Beyond Housing’s innovative Transformative Services Division (TSD), established in 2024 to centralize and enhance the delivery of holistic services. The division unifies Beyond Housing’s support programs—including housing stability, career development, financial empowerment, health, entrepreneurship, and homeownership—to better support families on their journeys toward stability and economic mobility.
“Working in communities that have been historically under-resourced requires what I call radical hospitality,” said Collins. “Every interaction—from providing meals in schools to supporting housing stability—should demonstrate genuine care, compassion, and respect. This approach builds trust, empowering families and strengthening entire communities.”
Collins joined Beyond Housing in 2018, initially leading family engagement liaisons in the Normandy school district before rising to Senior Director of Education. Her role expanded to include oversight of wrap-around educational services, the college savings program, and various youth-focused initiatives. Before her tenure at Beyond Housing, Collins served as a special education teacher at Sumner High School, where she cultivated her talent for educating youth based on forming meaningful connections.
“My lesson plans weren’t always perfect, but my students and I figured it out together,” Collins recalled. This experience taught her the critical importance of seeing the humanity in every person, a perspective that continues to guide her leadership today. “Acknowledging people’s experiences and dreams is essential. It’s not about imposing solutions—it’s about collaboratively finding pathways to achieve their goals.”
A lifelong advocate for social justice, Collins attributes much of her philosophy to her mother, Jane Widbin, a career social worker. “Watching my mother support people through moments of vulnerability to triumph deeply influenced my understanding of compassionate service,” Collins explained. She brings this profound empathy to her leadership style, emphasizing the interconnectedness of community well-being and individual success.
With degrees in business administration from Fontbonne University and education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Collins combines strategic vision with a practical understanding of community dynamics. Her experience as a school leader in St. Louis Public and Riverview Gardens districts further shaped her collaborative and transparent approach to leadership.
“Good leaders simplify the path for staff to fulfill the mission,” Collins emphasized. “My responsibility is to ensure our services remain aligned, ethical, and responsive to community needs. Transformation is possible when we focus on genuine relationships and coordinated support.”
As Collins transitions into her new role, she remains dedicated to ongoing projects, including expanding family engagement services to residents of Beyond Housing properties. Her priority is ensuring continuity and excellence in service delivery, reflecting Beyond Housing’s unwavering commitment to strengthening families and transforming communities—once and for all.
