CheaRon Darrett

CheaRon Darrett (she/her) is the Executive Director of The Emily Program’s RTP Inpatient & Residential Treatment Center and Triangle Outpatient & Day Treatment Center in Durham, North Carolina. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring clinical excellence, collaboration, and program cohesion across both sites.

CheaRon is a licensed clinical therapist, educator, and consultant with over 22 years of experience in human services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public service administration from the University of Evansville, as well as a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University.

Throughout her 18-year social work career, CheaRon has worked across a variety of treatment settings, including acute psychiatric hospitals, residential programs, schools, and outpatient clinics. She spent eight years in hospital administration before transitioning to The Emily Program. Additionally, she has taught in an MSW program and provided clinical supervision to emerging mental health professionals.

CheaRon is deeply committed to equity and access in mental health and substance use treatment, advocating for underserved and vulnerable communities. She believes in the power of mentorship, education, and compassionate care to drive meaningful change.

A transplant to Raleigh, CheaRon enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and creating lasting memories. She leads by the motto: “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction.”