May 12, 2026 3 min read

Blueprints is proud to announce the promotions of two longtime leaders within the organization, Gwendolyn Davis and Crystal Rivera, whose combined decades of service have made a lasting impact on children, youth and families throughout the region.

Davis and Rivera have each dedicated their careers to strengthening communities through compassionate leadership, innovative programming and a commitment to improving the lives of those Blueprints serves. Their promotions reflect both their professional accomplishments and the organization’s continued investment in experienced, mission-driven leadership.

Gwendolyn Davis steps into her new position as Deputy Chief Executive with an extensive background in leadership and human services. Most recently serving as Director of Blueprints’ Connecting Children and Families department, Davis has spent more than 25 years serving vulnerable children, youth and families. Her career began as a case manager and later administrator at a youth crisis center in Morgantown, West Virginia, where she worked directly with youth experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges.

Her passion for empowerment later led her to northern Virginia, where she directed a large-scale supported employment program for adults with autism throughout Maryland and the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. After returning home to continue her work with Blueprints, Davis has spent the last 18 years helping create meaningful change throughout the community. Davis holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from West Virginia University.

“I have witnessed Gwen’s leadership and professional excellence for the past 17 years,” said Trenna Passalacqua, Chief Executive Officer of Blueprints. “During that time, I’ve seen her successfully administer complex contracts, build strategic collaborations and partnerships, and manage multifaceted budgets with precision and accountability.”

“Gwen brings the rare combination of deep operational expertise and empathetic, mission‑driven leadership that is essential to the work of Blueprints,” added Passalacqua. “She is exceptionally well‑prepared for the role of Deputy Chief Executive, and I am genuinely looking forward to what Gwen and I can accomplish together as we continue moving Blueprints forward.”

Crystal Rivera brings more than 23 years of experience with Blueprints to her new role as Director of Blueprints’ Connecting Children and Families department. Beginning her career as a caseworker in the Independent Living Program, Rivera has held several progressive leadership positions throughout her tenure, including Director of Specialized Services and Community-Based Supervisor. In these roles, she developed and implemented policies, led multi-department teams and worked to enhance service delivery outcomes across the organization. Rivera earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washington & Jefferson College and has built a strong foundation in human services and youth development throughout her career.

“I am committed to organizational growth, operational excellence and meaningful community impact,” Rivera said. 

Blueprints leadership says the promotions reflect the organization’s commitment to fostering strong leadership from within while continuing to provide high-quality support and services to the communities they serve.

These women exemplify the mission and values of Blueprints. Their dedication, leadership and passion for helping others continue to make a tremendous difference in the lives of countless individuals and families.

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