Trillium Announces Planned CEO Transition
Trillium Health Resources Announces Planned CEO Transition
Joy Futrell to Retire Following Distinguished Leadership; Senitria Goodman Selected as Next Chief Executive Officer
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Trillium Health Resources today announced the planned retirement of Chief Executive Officer Joy Futrell, effective December 31, 2026, following more than 36 years of dedicated leadership and service to the public organization and the communities it serves. Futrell began her public career in June 1990 with Roanoke-Chowan Area Program which provided services to people with mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries.
The Trillium Governing Board has selected Senitria Goodman, a highly respected, trusted and accomplished internal leader with over a decade of progressive healthcare leadership experience, who has served the organization since 2022 as an Executive team member, as the next Chief Executive Officer. Goodman will officially assume the CEO role on September 1, 2026. Prior to her role with Trillium, Goodman served as Senior Associate General Counsel for another public LME/MCO in North Carolina for eight years.
The planned transition period will provide valuable time for Futrell and Goodman to work closely together to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership and maintain continuity across the organization. This collaborative approach will help support stability and continued momentum across Trillium’s strategic priorities, partnerships, and operations.
“Leading Trillium has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Futrell. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together in support of the individuals, families, providers, and communities we serve. I have tremendous confidence in Senitria’s leadership and in the future of this organization.”
During Futrell’s tenure, Trillium successfully implemented integrated care as a Tailored Plan in July 2024 after completing a consolidation in January 2024 to transition from a 28 county LME/MCO to 46 counties. Trillium has continued to evolve and expand its impact across North Carolina through innovation, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to improving health outcomes for the people and communities it serves.
The Governing Board selected Goodman following a thoughtful succession planning process focused on ensuring long-term organizational strength and continuity. Her deep understanding of Trillium’s mission, operations, partnerships, and strategic direction positioned her as the ideal leader to guide the organization into its next chapter.
“Senitria is a proven and trusted leader who understands both the complexity of our work and the importance of our mission,” said Dr. Denauvo Robinson, Chair of the Trillium Governing Board since 2025. “Her leadership experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to the people we serve make her exceptionally well-positioned to lead Trillium into the future.”
Goodman expressed gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about continuing the organization’s mission-driven work.
“I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this organization and our communities,” said Goodman. “Joy has built a strong foundation, and I look forward to working alongside her during this transition period to ensure continued stability, collaboration, and progress for Trillium and those we serve.”
With this transition, Christie Edwards will continue to lead operations as Chief Operating Officer, Mike Lewis as Chief Information Officer, Cindy Ehlers as Chief Strategy and Innovations Officer, Melissa Owens as Chief Human Resources Officer, Dr. Michael Smith as Chief Medical Officer, Dr LaDonna Battle as Chief Clinical Operations Officer, and Terrell Alston as Chief of Staff. Recruitment for Goodman’s General Counsel role will begin immediately.
Trillium leaders emphasized that the transition reflects the strength, maturity, and long-term vision of the organization. Strategic priorities, operations, and services will continue uninterrupted throughout the transition process.
Additional information and transition updates will be shared with employees, partners, providers, and stakeholders in the coming months.
ABOUT TRILLIUM HEALTH RESOURCES
Trillium Health Resources is an innovative health plan for individuals with serious behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury in 46 counties in North Carolina. Through contracts with NCDHHS, we serve Medicaid members on the Tailored Plan and NC Medicaid Direct, state-funded recipients who are uninsured, and members on the Innovations Waiver. Trillium’s mission is transforming lives and building community well-being through partnership and proven solutions. We take an integrated approach to health and wellbeing, coordinating care across multiple systems to achieve improved health outcomes, quality of care and efficient use of resources. Trillium is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the individuals and communities we serve, and remains focused on delivering the right services, in the right amount, at the right time.