SAN MATEO, Calif. — Brightline, the leading pediatric mental health platform for children, teens, and their families, announced that Kari O’Rourke has been named chief executive officer, effective December 2, 2025. Current CEO and co-founder Naomi Allen will assume the role of executive chair of the board of directors.
O’Rourke, a certified nurse practitioner and healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience, will lead Brightline’s next phase of growth by expanding its hybrid care model, which offers both virtual and in-person services for youth and families. The company recently opened its first clinics in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, New York.
“Kari has a remarkable track record of building and scaling high-impact healthcare companies that deliver better outcomes and experiences, while increasing access to high-quality care,” said Allen. “I am confident she will successfully lead Brightline to help us reach even more families, increase access, and enhance pediatric and youth mental health.”
Allen will remain actively involved in Brightline’s day-to-day operations and continue to focus on the company’s long-term strategy, partnerships, and mission to make mental healthcare more accessible, affordable, and flexible for families.
O’Rourke currently serves as president of Imagine Pediatrics and previously held senior leadership positions at Cortica, Landmark Health, and CVS Health.
“Naomi and the team at Brightline have set a new standard of care for how family and children’s mental healthcare is delivered, both virtually and in-person,” said O’Rourke. “My vision is to expand Brightline’s reach by scaling our clinical model and operations, ensuring we can impact even more families seeking high-quality, evidence-based mental health care.”
The leadership transition follows a period of significant momentum for Brightline. The company recently formed a strategic alliance with Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider and private employer. In California, its partnership with the Department of Health Care Services and CalHOPE, known as BrightLife Kids, has reached more than 250,000 children.
“Well-executed leadership transitions where a founder moves to executive chair of the board have the potential to strengthen a company, positioning it to grow faster while staying true to the founding vision,” said Billy Deitch, Brightline investor and partner at Oak HC/FT. “Naomi has created a remarkable business, and Kari has the demonstrated ability to execute, build systems, and deliver impact. We’re excited and confident about Brightline’s future under this exceptional leadership team.”
