Episode 151. Pam Darnall – Past President and CEO, Family & Children’s Place (1994-2024)

Pamela Darnall served as President and CEO of Family & Children’s Place in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1994-2024.

Family & Children’s Place is a non-profit organization that plays a crucial role in helping children and families affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect.

The organization provides various services aimed at intervention, prevention, and treatment.

Pam Darnall focuses her professional life on helping children and families facing abuse and violence.

Pam was named President and CEO of Family & Children’s Place in 2014, setting the organization’s vision, leadership, and coordination.

From 1994 to 2008, Pam served as president of The Family Place. She played an essential role in the merger of The Family Place and Family and Children First to create Family & Children’s Place.

Her prior experience includes 10 years with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in a supervisory and training role for Child Protective Services.

Pam has worked or served on many prominent community service committees.

These include the Early Childhood Task Force, known as the “KIDS NOW” quality rating system, the Center for Non-Profit Excellence Advisory Committee, the Mayor’s Violence Free Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health Committee, among others.

She has testified before state legislative committees, has been a mediator for Jefferson County Family Court, and has presented on various topics relating to child abuse and non-profit mergers.

Pam received a Leadership Fellowship through the Community Foundation of Louisville and is a graduate of Leadership Louisville.

In her free time, Darnall is an avid marathon runner. She is married to Danny Darnall, an attorney in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Pamela Darnall is a distinguished nonprofit leader who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Family & Children’s Place, a prominent organization in Louisville, Kentucky, dedicated to supporting children and families affected by abuse and neglect. Her tenure with the agency spanned nearly three decades, culminating in her retirement in November 2024.

Educational Background and Early Career

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Ms. Darnall earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gardner-Webb University. She began her professional journey in social services in Charlotte before relocating to Louisville. She worked for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Louisville while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Spalding University.

Leadership at Family & Children’s Place

Ms. Darnall joined The Family Place in 1994 as a program director and was appointed executive director in 2001. In 2008, she played a pivotal role in merging The Family Place with Family & Children First, forming Family & Children’s Place. Following the merger, she served as Chief Operating Officer and, in January 2014, ascended to the role of President and CEO.

Under her leadership, Family & Children’s Place expanded its services, focusing on prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to address child abuse and neglect. The organization serves thousands of children and families annually in Louisville and Southern Indiana.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout her career, Ms. Darnall received numerous accolades, including:

• Being named one of Louisville Business First’s Most Admired CEOs in 2021.
• Receiving the Enterprising Woman Making a Difference award in 2016.
• Being honored with a Nonprofit Visionary Award from Louisville Business First as part of their 2024 Partners in Philanthropy Series.

Retirement

After nearly 30 years of dedicated service, Ms. Darnall retired from Family & Children’s Place in November 2024.

Her leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on the organization and the community it serves.