Sunnybrook Children’s Home names Sally Ferguson executive director

Sunnybrook Children’s Home has named Sally Ferguson as its next executive director, effective June 29, 2026, after a yearlong search. The Ridgeland, Mississippi nonprofit is betting on her background in child advocacy, court administration and nonprofit operations to guide its work with children, young adults and families statewide.

Why it matters: - Ferguson’s appointment puts a child-advocacy and court-system veteran at the helm of a Mississippi nonprofit that serves vulnerable children and families. - Sunnybrook’s leadership transition comes as the organization continues residential care, transitional living, foster-family support and community partnerships across the state. - The change could shape how Sunnybrook scales support for children, young adults and families over the next chapter.

What happened: - Sunnybrook Children’s Home named Sally Ferguson as its next executive director, effective June 29, 2026. - The announcement followed a year-long search for the organization’s next leader. - Ferguson will lead Sunnybrook’s work serving children, young adults and families across Mississippi. - Sunnybrook is based in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The details: - Ferguson most recently served as chief program officer for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi. - In that role, Ferguson helped lead statewide strategic vision, program operations, training initiatives, performance metrics, financial alignment, grant reporting and legislative engagement tied to child advocacy and child protection. - Ferguson previously served as executive director of Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center. - At Healing Hearts, Ferguson oversaw operations, financial management, human resources, accreditation, compliance, donor engagement and coordination with CPS, courts, law enforcement and community partners. - Earlier in her career, Ferguson spent 14 years as circuit court administrator for Mississippi’s 17th Circuit Court District. - That role covered administrative, financial and operational functions for three court divisions. - Ferguson is a Certified Court Administrator and a Leadership DeSoto graduate. - Sunnybrook thanked Ron Veazey, its director of advancement, for serving as interim executive director during the transition. - Sunnybrook said Veazey will continue in his leadership role with the ministry. - Sunnybrook said additional information about Ferguson and its work is available here. - The nonprofit has served vulnerable children and families since 1963. - Sunnybrook’s work includes residential care, transitional living programs, independent living preparation, foster-family support and community partnerships. - Sunnybrook’s mission also emphasizes stability, workforce readiness and family support for Mississippi youth.

Between the lines: - The board appears to have prioritized someone who understands both child-serving systems and the administrative demands of a nonprofit ministry. - Board President Dwayne Blaylock framed Ferguson as a leader who combines executive experience, child advocacy experience, operational discipline and commitment to Mississippi children and families. - Ferguson’s background across nonprofit, court and child-serving systems suggests Sunnybrook is aiming for a leader who can manage programs and relationships as well as mission delivery. - The transition from an interim leader back to a full-time executive director may give Sunnybrook more room to focus on program continuity and external partnerships.

What’s next: - Ferguson is expected to build relationships with Sunnybrook staff, board members and community partners. - Sunnybrook will look to Ferguson to strengthen support for children and young adults served by the organization. - The ministry is likely to continue expanding or refining services tied to independent living, foster support and family stability. - Sunnybrook will continue operating under its faith-based mission in Mississippi.