Robena Spangler

Robena Spangler is a transformational leader whose career spans more than three decades in human services and leadership development. She has held leadership roles across direct service organizations, public agencies, associations, and consulting firms, consistently advancing strategies that strengthen organizations and the people they serve. Her expertise includes presence-based leadership coaching, organizational development, and program innovation. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her vision, strategic insight, and ability to translate complex ideas into practical, actionable outcomes.

Currently serving as Senior Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at Social Current, Robena leads initiatives that cultivate leadership capacity across human services systems nationwide. These include co-creating leadership development frameworks for the next generation of public and private human services leaders in partnership with the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), a national organization; serving as director of Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute, a partnership with Loyola University Chicago; and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth through consulting, partnerships, and grant-funded projects. Prior to this role, she spearheaded strategies at a Pennsylvania-based affiliate member organization where she established measurable accountability systems and fostered partnerships to embed fairness into organizational practices.

Earlier in her career, as a Bureau Director for the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Robena oversaw statewide licensing, compliance, and technical assistance for child and family services. At Merakey (then NHS Human Services), she pioneered gender-responsive and trauma-informed programming for girls and young women in child welfare and juvenile justice, serving hundreds of young people across the state. In every role, Robena has brought a deep commitment to innovation, which has positioned her as a respected voice and trusted guide in advancing leadership and organizational excellence.