Epworth President and CEO Beth Williams is pleased to announce the addition of two seasoned child and family service professionals to its leadership team: Kendra Faile as Chief Operating Officer and Lauren Tinman as Chief Strategy Officer. Their expertise will enhance Epworth’s mission of serving South Carolina’s children with compassion and innovation.
Kendra Faile, Chief Operating Officer
With nearly three decades of experience advocating for children and families, Kendra brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role. Previously serving as Senior Director of Foster Care at Epworth, she was instrumental in expanding the agency’s foster parent recruitment and support services. Prior to joining Epworth, Kendra served as Private Provider Manager at the South Carolina Department of Social Services where she was involved in creating collaborative processes between the state agency and private providers to improve outcomes for children and families.
In her role as Chief Operating Officer, Kendra will work closely with the CEO to ensure the continuous positive advancement of Epworth publicly and programmatically and utilize data to drive best practice and assure continuation of accreditation. She will analyze data to assess and enhance Epworth’s initiatives while overseeing programmatic teams to drive continuous quality improvement, minimize risk, and align departmental efforts with the agency’s mission.
Lauren Tinman, Chief Strategy Officer
Joining Epworth with a decade of experience in child and family services, Lauren most recently served as Director of Family and Community Services at the Department of Social Services. There, she led a team of over 60 staff members and spearheaded the development of key Child Welfare programs, including the Child and Family Teaming program, the statewide Prevention Service Array and the submission and implementation of the Title IV-E Prevention Plan.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Lauren will collaborate with the CEO on strategic planning and advancing Epworth’s mission. She will conduct competitive landscape assessments, develop a comprehensive strategic growth plan, and implement decision-making processes that foster long-term improvements. Her leadership will ensure that Epworth continues to deliver mission-focused, cost-effective results across all departments.
“We are delighted that Kendra and Lauren are joining our dynamic leadership team,” Williams said. “They bring wisdom, many years of experience, analytical minds and thoughtful, compassionate hearts to their new roles. Our team is looking forward to working with them to build upon Epworth’s 128-year legacy as a haven for South Carolina children and families in need.”
