Mike Nowlin has nearly 25 years of experience in the child welfare, behavioral health, and international development fields. He is currently the Director of Operations at the Institute for Human Services and the Center for Child Policy. He works to help organizations develop effective infrastructures, streamline and refine programming, and implement strategic plans to reach organizational goals. Prior to joining IHS, Mike lived in Southeast Asia and served as the Executive Director at Hagar International, a Cambodian-based international nonprofit serving survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. After returning to the United States, he served as the Executive Director for Hagar International’s USA affiliate office. During his time at Hagar, Mike spoke at numerous international conferences and was published in several international journals on topics of informed care and resilience. Prior to working overseas, Mike worked at one of Ohio’s largest public child protection agencies, where he served as Associate Director of Performance Improvement. While there, he led the agency-wide implementation of Team Decision-Making and helped build a culture of positive family engagement through the case planning and case review process.

 

Mike’s skills include executive management, operations, program implementation, fundraising, and direct social work practice. His leadership approach is an extension of his belief in creating positive team environments that empower staff to reach their full capacity. His focus includes gathering and using data to ensure continuous quality improvement.

 

During his free time, Mike regularly gives in to bouts of wanderlust by planning his next big international trip, having already traveled to 30 countries on six continents. He is an avid supporter of his local major league soccer team, the Columbus Crew, and he enjoys photography, disc golf, rec soccer, and spending quality time with his kids.

 
Education

Master’s of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor’s of Psychology & Sociology from Hope College
 
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs

​Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery from Harvard University
Human Services Management Program from The Ohio State University
Leadership and Biblical Studies from Vineyard Leadership Institute

Licensing

He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation