The Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) announced that the Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Lynda Ricketson as incoming President and CEO, effective in February 2022. DLN is a Denver-based nonprofit organization that provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to thousands of individuals across the country who have disabilities or are elderly or medically fragile. A network of 15,000 volunteer dentists and over 3,400 labs donate this care.
Ricketson will succeed current CEO/President Fred Leviton following his retirement. Leviton has spent 45 years with the organization and facilitated significant accomplishments, including growing programs to serve all 50 states and eclipsing a major milestone this year – exceeding half a billion dollars’ worth of donated dental services for more than 165,000 people with special needs.
DLN’s board of directors created a search committee charged with finding a new leader. As part of its assessment, the search committee sought out a leader based on key criteria including strategy and operations expertise, relationship management, communication, and culture fit – ultimately leading to the selection of Ricketson as the new CEO and President of DLN.
“Ricketson is a philanthropic leader,” said Dr. Frank Maggio, D.D.S. chair of DLN’s board of directors. “She knows what it takes to get the job done. Our board truly feels she will build on our past successes and reach even greater heights.”
Currently she is the Vice President of Philanthropic Services at Community Foundation Boulder County. She’s held various leadership positions in other local foundations and spent several years at the University of Denver where she focused on development and alumni giving with the Graduate School of Social Work. Throughout her career in foundation work and development, Ricketson learned how great the need is for access to dental care among people with special needs, and soon became passionate about efforts aligning with the mission of Dental Lifeline Network.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this incredible organization in its next chapter,” said Ricketson. “I look forward to building on the success and accomplishments Dental Lifeline Network has achieved since its founding 47 years ago.”
Since the launch of DLN’s first Donated Dental Services (DDS) program in 1985, the organization has provided critical treatment services valued at more than $500 million to people in need. Ricketson looks forward to leading the organization in reaching its next milestone.
