Windwood Family Services announces Tosha Connors as new Chief Executive Officer
August 31, 2026
Windwood Family Services announced Tosha Connors as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Connors succeeds Debbie McElvey, who served as Windwood’s CEO for over 28 years.
The appointment marks a significant new chapter for Windwood, as Connors becomes the organization’s first new chief executive in nearly three decades.
Windwood’s Search Committee conducted a nationwide search that attracted a large number of highly qualified candidates from across the country. Following an intensive search led by Sarah Evans Sprinkle, the Committee selected Connors for her extensive nonprofit leadership experience, proven record of organizational growth, deep commitment to vulnerable populations, and strong understanding of the South Carolina community and public-policy landscape.
Connors is from South Carolina and has spent the past decade of her career serving vulnerable populations in the Lowcountry. Her local roots and extensive experience working with children, families, survivors of trauma, community partners, state agencies, non-profits and elected officials position her well to lead Windwood into its next chapter.
“I am honored to join Windwood Family Services and to build upon the incredible legacy that has been established over the past 40 years,” said Connors.
Connors most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of My Sister’s House, the Lowcountry’s only full-service domestic violence agency serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. She led the organization from April 2017 through July 2026. During her tenure, Connors transformed and significantly grew the organization, increasing its annual revenue from $1.3 million to approximately $3.4 million — a 151% increase — through diversified funding strategies that included federal and state grants, foundation support, and a recurring line item she secured in the South Carolina state budget through legislative advocacy.
She also led organizational restructuring and programmatic transformation, oversaw the transition to South Carolina’s first private domestic violence shelter model, expanded clinical programming, and maintained critical services and staff safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Connors brings to Windwood nearly a decade of experience working directly with individuals and families impacted by trauma.
“I have a deep understanding of what it is like to work with individuals who have experienced trauma,” Connors said. “That experience has shaped how I lead, how I think about services, and how I approach the systems that surround vulnerable children and families.”
Her approach to leadership is rooted in solving problems and creating lasting impact.
Connors is referenced as a problem solver by her peers — someone who spent nearly a decade working to address domestic violence and increasingly recognized that meaningful long-term change requires reaching children earlier in their lives. That perspective strongly aligns with Windwood’s mission and the opportunity to serve children at a critical point in their development.
“Windwood has an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children,” Connors said. “The work we do with children at this stage of their lives can help shape their future and, potentially, mitigate larger challenges later in life. I am excited to be part of that work.”
Following 40 years of steady leadership, Connors will lead Windwood into a new era in advancing its mission to serve children and families with complex needs.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Tosha to Windwood,” said Charlie Carmody, Chairman of the Windwood Family Services Board of Directors and Search Committee. “Her combination of nonprofit leadership, advocacy experience, financial stewardship, community relationships, and deep commitment made her an exceptional choice. Just as importantly, her South Carolina roots make her uniquely positioned to lead Windwood forward.”
Windwood Family Services looks forward to welcoming Connors and supporting her as she begins this important new chapter for the organization.
About Windwood Family Services
Windwood Family Services, founded in 1986, is dedicated to providing specialized services and support to children and families facing complex emotional, behavioral, and social needs. For four decades, Windwood has worked to strengthen children, families, and communities through compassionate, evidence-based care and a commitment to helping children reach their full potential.
